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My thoughts would be if no one were using it to go for it...if you are concerned you could always call the schools athletic director or principal and ask...
I personally will use the track before and after school hours.
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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Unfortunately, in our big university town, all the tracks are locked down and for use by students only :(. Where we lived before, there was a brand new track at the middle school that we used after hours (usually around 5:30pm). If no one is on it and the gates are not locked, I'd say you can go ahead.
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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At a high school I wouldn't use it during school hours, but I would at a college assuming you could get in (i.e. not gated/locked) and it was not in use. I have used the track at the h.s. where I graduated many a time. They hold football practice on the infield and they are worried us runners are going to steal their plays, so we can't go then, but otherwise it's good. I think there may be a sign w/ some rules. Good luck!
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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yes, all good points - thank you! i was hoping UCal Berkeley might have an 'open door' policy but i suppose i should just call over to find out. when i looked up a local run on mapmyrun one of the routes mentioned hitting the local high school track for a lap or two before continuing on, which is what got me thinking.
katherine - LOL about the play stealing! how funny to think of someone running around taking notes or video taping - ha! :)
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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Hey Jen,
There is a high school track near us that I have done some speedwork on and such. It is not a traditional high school, but even when it was (long story) people ran and walked on it all the time. I think it is generally fine to use them unless they are CLEARLY being used by the track team and such. I have run on one near my mom's house and also in Colorado where I used to live with no problems. Hey, the worst they can say is "don't run here," right?oh just saw about colleges....those are even MORE open IME. Just use it. Maybe someone else is more cautious but i have always just jumped on. :)
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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Oh and I have seen people running on the outer lanes while others were using the track...
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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I've had different experiences. Our local road runners' club has an arrangement to use a local college's track during the summer - basically may to september while the college is out of session.
I work at a high school, and we require permission from the athletic director to use it, which seems to be granted RARELY.
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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Our track group runs on a high school track during the school year and a middle school track during the summer. I know that our coach gets permission from the school, but there are always other random runners popping by for a few laps while we're there. It probably depends a little bit on the culture of the area. In our area, none of the tracks are locked down at all, except for the really nice all-weather ones at the stadiums (we have this weird thing here where most high schools play their football games at shared stadiums, not at the schools). I might scope out the track that's most convenient for you to make sure that it's accessible, and then just call the school's athletic director to make sure it's ok. Most schools have signs posted that you have to have permission, but really that's just a liability thing to make sure that random groups don't show up on it. For people who live in the neighborhood, they're generally perfectly happy to let you run your laps!
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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The universities I've worked at have all had open hours when the public could come use the track. You could check their website or call or something...
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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I thought I responded already but it's not here? Anyway, our local high school is open to the public during school hours. If there is a class using the track, they get priority, but it's rare for it to be in use. I have run on the track while the maintenance guys were working on the football field (and just dodged them if they were crossing in front of me or something) and I have run in the outer lanes while the junior high track team was practicing. I'd just call the school and ask - our high school changes the hours that the track is open occasionally. I once didn't realize they were closing earlier and got locked in when the person in charge didn't notice me on the far side of the track when she locked up. Fortunately, she noticed my van parked near the other side of the track and came back to check if anyone was in before she drove off entirely. I was debating how I was going to climb the 10 foot fence to get out!
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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DrJen - your first response went to just me, I think, because I got it twice.
Thanks for all the responses ladies! Sounds like I just need to a) find one and b) check it out for lockdown and/or call. I think if I had a kid that goes to the nearby high school I might feel a little more entitled to use it, or at least more at home. I'm still new to the area so really don't have a feel for local resources just yet.
I really want to run on one though because they are cushy...right? :)
posted over 3 years ago | edited over 3 years ago | Report
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Most colleges have posted policies - like it's part of the rec center or something so it's usually open but possibly for a fee. One university near me has a fairly decent indoor track too.
The middle school near me has a sign posted on their track that you need permission to use it. I've seen people running on it after hours but never during school hours, and honestly, it's probably too big of a threat (predators) for the school to allow it during school hours.
posted over 3 years ago | Report
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