Running With Risks: The Issues Regarding Our Track
By Ava Claassen | Staff Writer
The unpadded surfaces, the visible cracks, the fading lane lines: these are all characteristics of the track outside Kapaun Mt. Carmel. For sprinters and distance athletes, the track is not only where they train; it’s where they strive for improvement, build resilience and chase championships. But, as the surface of the track fades and wears, the risk of athletic injuries increases.
The conditions of this running surface call for the obvious question to be asked: has the track exceeded its life expectancy? The track was finished and last resurfaced in October of 2010, according to Athletic Director John Heise.
“At the time, it was one of the nicest tracks in the city or in the state,” Heise said. “It’s probably around an eight- to 10-year warranty on it. I think the lifespan can depend upon many factors; locations in the U.S., weather, all those types of things. I would say we’re over the life expectancy.”
According to Byrneandjones.com, the average lifespan of a polyurethane-surface track is 15 to 20 years with proper resurfacing and management every six to eight years. As our polyurethane track has gone double the recommended years without resurfacing, this presents our next question: What is the school willing to do in order to address this issue?
“It is on our project list,” Heise said. “I just can’t tell you when because it costs a considerable amount of money to do a resurface of that. It is something that has been in our planning phases for a while, and it’s something we talk about on a fairly regular basis.”
For runners, the track is especially hard on their bodies due to the hardness of the layers underneath the top coat. According to Coastal Orthopedics, as runners generate power through their legs, each time their feet hit the hard rubber surface, their leg muscles are strained and broken down, increasing the risk for shin splints or other injuries.
Junior Cate Luttrell explained her struggles she has faced while training.
“I have shin splints every season because of the track,” Luttrell said. “It definitely puts strain on my legs, and so I think the workouts are harder because of it.”
Along with the hard, worn-down surfaces, the course shows its needs for repair with cracks along the edges and faded lane lines. The track is falling apart and pieces of it are even breaking off in some areas.
“The track is too hard,” said sprints coach John David Harris. “In my opinion, we need to work toward a plan of resurfacing our track. The lack of cushioning with our track can lead to more injuries such as shin splints and minor stress fractures. In the last couple of years there have been a few cracks developing in the surface, which is concerning.”
Due to the conditions of this training area, sprinters have utilized the running surface as little as possible in order to avoid injury. In efforts to circumvent the track, sprinters have instead run on the turf during workouts and trained at the indoor Heskett Center on the WSU campus.
“It’s such a horrible surface to run on because it’s so hard and there’s no cushion,” said sophomore Caleb Coffey, who has also suffered worsened shin splints from the track. “It’s like running on concrete. My spikes get dull when I’m running on that track, and that’s not supposed to happen.”
While concerns regarding the dangers of this running surface have not been acted upon, runners have expressed their dissatisfactions among themselves and their coaches. In regards to when this issue will be resolved, we can only hope it will be soon.
At the heart of every workout, every stride and every step means more to athletes than just competition – commitment and determination play huge roles in their training. Athletes push through tough workouts and rigorous exercise in order to represent the school with pride. They deserve a running surface that supports their efforts and allows them to improve, not one that contributes to putting their athletic careers at risk.