The athletics events at the 2013 East Asian Games were held in Tianjin, China from 7 to 9 October.

At the 2009 East Asian Games, the athletics events were held at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground in Hong Kong from 10 December to 13 December. A total of 46 events were contested, of which 23 were by male athletes and 23 by female athletes.