The City Parks Foundation hosted the 9th annual Track and Field championships at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island today.

Following an Olympics-style parade, thousands of kids participated in the 172 events, which included javelin, triple-jump and hurdles.

The competition is a culmination of a summer program at 12 city parks around the five boroughs for kids ages five through 16.

"Kids have been working all summer to come out to this track meet,” said City Parks Foundation Executive Director David Rivel. “They're having a great time today. They're going to compete, and going to have some fun."

The New York City Parks Foundation works with the Parks Department to run a variety of free sports programs at facilities all over town.

"They taught you how to jump over the hurdles and how to jump off the thing in the long jump," said one young athlete.

"I learned how to do the javelin. I learned how to jump over hurdles. I learned how to do the triple jump," said another. "I know how to do the long jump now."

The kids in this program get expert coaching in track and field, but they also learn that with a little bit of hard work, they can do anything.

"The good thing about track is discipline, self discipline, and many track athletes go on to do great things in all areas,” said the program’s track and field director George Febles.

Some of the young athletes hope this is only the beginning of their track and field experience.

"That's kind of my dream, go to the Olympics," said young athlete Nicole Mangaroo.

For more information , go to cityparksfoundation.org/sports/track_and_field.html.