Worst case you get asked to leave... this can definitely be annoying mid-workout, but you're never going to get arrested for running on a high school track.
In 45 years of running I have run thousands of workouts on dozens of different high school and college tracks in New York, Maryland, North Carolina, and Georgia. I never asked for special permission and sometimes even jumped a fence. Only once was I kicked off the track and when that happened I waited 5 minutes for the jerk who kicked me off to leave then I got back on the track.
You're not going to get arrested. Most likely, no one will bother you.
Recently I saw the HS team practicing after school. I stopped by, said hello to the coach, said I was a lifelong runner, ran in college, blah blah. Asked if minded if I used the track while they worked out. He got angry and said absolutely not and that I shouldn't be anywhere near the kids.
Ran by a few days later, lacrosse is practicing. Decided to try my luck. Coach said I could use the track, just stay out of the way. I even fetch their balls during my rest, just toss em back onto the field. Spoke to some community members about this and apparently everyone dislikes the track coach and he's a creep.
I'm home for break from school, run in college. Need to get my workout in. My mom tells me I'll get arrested if i do this
There are so many variables- what state do you live in? School rules vary from state to state and even district to district.
Your best bet is to call the school. BUT- when school is not in session, if the gate is unlocked, go.
My school, Upstate NY, the track was put in telling the community they can use it. We have people running and walking at all hours, during school and before and after.
In 45 years of running I have run thousands of workouts on dozens of different high school and college tracks in New York, Maryland, North Carolina, and Georgia. I never asked for special permission and sometimes even jumped a fence. Only once was I kicked off the track and when that happened I waited 5 minutes for the jerk who kicked me off to leave then I got back on the track.
You're not going to get arrested. Most likely, no one will bother you.
Add this to my other post. You won't get arrested. They might ask you to leave.
Call the school's main office and ask about public hours. You can usually go before school on weekdays and on weekends as long as there aren't sports on the field.
Recently I saw the HS team practicing after school. I stopped by, said hello to the coach, said I was a lifelong runner, ran in college, blah blah. Asked if minded if I used the track while they worked out. He got angry and said absolutely not and that I shouldn't be anywhere near the kids.
Ran by a few days later, lacrosse is practicing. Decided to try my luck. Coach said I could use the track, just stay out of the way. I even fetch their balls during my rest, just toss em back onto the field. Spoke to some community members about this and apparently everyone dislikes the track coach and he's a creep.
Moral of the story, just try.
I'd tell you to get lost too. My kids are using it and you want to join in? Talk about creepy.
Recently I saw the HS team practicing after school. I stopped by, said hello to the coach, said I was a lifelong runner, ran in college, blah blah. Asked if minded if I used the track while they worked out. He got angry and said absolutely not and that I shouldn't be anywhere near the kids.
Ran by a few days later, lacrosse is practicing. Decided to try my luck. Coach said I could use the track, just stay out of the way. I even fetch their balls during my rest, just toss em back onto the field. Spoke to some community members about this and apparently everyone dislikes the track coach and he's a creep.
Moral of the story, just try.
I'd tell you to get lost too. My kids are using it and you want to join in? Talk about creepy.
I grew up with a HS track that anyone could use, almost anytime except during games. We'd often have practices with old ladies walking in lane 8. If we needed the whole track then couch would politely ask people to leave for an hour. Same thing for all the other sports. When I'm back in my hometown they still don't mind me showing up.
Also, that coach was fired from his previous role as a coach for being a creep towards little girls I learned. Maybe a bit of projection from him and you?
Most public school grounds are open to the public. Never heard otherwise. I’ve run on many different schools tracks in my life and people do their walking there as well. Why would your mother say something like that? Based on what? If the gate is open and it doesn’t say no trespassing of course you can go!
Weird how High School Tracks were ALWAYS OPEN to the Public during non School Hours, Then they started Building Fences and Locking them so The Public could not use Them (Some jump the Fence, But they put up signs not for Public Use) I can not think of any reason for not allowing the Public be able to run on them, after all Tracks were open for Public Use Probably as long as they have had Tracks, then about 10 Years ago they stopped allowing the public to use them, I have no Idea Why?
if your wiener is not out then you will not get arrested
they might tell you to get off school property though
but as a taxpayer I think the public should be allowed on the track within reasonable parameters. running on the track does zero damage vs sun, rain, snow, etc.
Weird how High School Tracks were ALWAYS OPEN to the Public during non School Hours, Then they started Building Fences and Locking them so The Public could not use Them (Some jump the Fence, But they put up signs not for Public Use) I can not think of any reason for not allowing the Public be able to run on them, after all Tracks were open for Public Use Probably as long as they have had Tracks, then about 10 Years ago they stopped allowing the public to use them, I have no Idea Why?
Weird how High School Tracks were ALWAYS OPEN to the Public during non School Hours, Then they started Building Fences and Locking them so The Public could not use Them (Some jump the Fence, But they put up signs not for Public Use) I can not think of any reason for not allowing the Public be able to run on them, after all Tracks were open for Public Use Probably as long as they have had Tracks, then about 10 Years ago they stopped allowing the public to use them, I have no Idea Why?
Liability and wear and tear.
I spoke to the local college coach about this. He said he wanted to keep the track open to the public, because he understands that locals runners want to use it. He even suggested they install those fold-out gates that block lanes 1 and 2 every 100m to stop the public from wearing out the inside lanes. School said no dice, too much liability. Track is always locked up unless you luck out. Crazy considering it's a small town and almost no one exercises here.
Weird how High School Tracks were ALWAYS OPEN to the Public during non School Hours, Then they started Building Fences and Locking them so The Public could not use Them (Some jump the Fence, But they put up signs not for Public Use) I can not think of any reason for not allowing the Public be able to run on them, after all Tracks were open for Public Use Probably as long as they have had Tracks, then about 10 Years ago they stopped allowing the public to use them, I have no Idea Why?
Liability and wear and tear.
there is no wear and tear from running on a track, give me a break
track deterioration is 99.5% attributable to sun, freeze, rain, snow, soils moving, etc.
I suspect basic liability is not much of a factor and is covered with existing insurance and common law
taxpayers own this facility....it does not mean they get free use of anything, anytime, but it is reasonable to be able to use an outside track at a public school in your neighborhood where your tax dollars are spent.....same goes for tennis courts
there is no wear and tear from running on a track, give me a break
track deterioration is 99.5% attributable to sun, freeze, rain, snow, soils moving, etc.
I suspect basic liability is not much of a factor and is covered with existing insurance and common law
taxpayers own this facility....it does not mean they get free use of anything, anytime, but it is reasonable to be able to use an outside track at a public school in your neighborhood where your tax dollars are spent.....same goes for tennis courts
Wait until you hear about track resurfacing, and how the armory has redone lane 1 multiple times because it gets worn faster. Not saying it's a great reason for schools to not allow you on the track though.
Unclear. I suggest dressing in all black, wearing a military backpack with a hand cable attached, and yelling "Allahu Akbar" the whole time to be safe.
If confronted make sure to yell it louder while running at the officer
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