Athletics competitions at the 1986 Central American Games were held at the Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala, in January 1986.

A total of 40 events were contested, 24 by men and 16 by women.

Gold medal winners and their results were published.

[1] A complete list of medal winners can be found on the MásGoles webpage (click on "JUEGOS CENTROAMERICANOS" in the low right corner).

[3][4] All results are marked as "affected by altitude" (A), because Guatemala City is located at 1,592 m above sea level.