The new track at Levengrove looks brilliant.
West Dunbartonshire has arguably one of the most pictureeqsue running tracks in Scotland. I certainly haven't visited them all - far from it. But I mean just look at this;
Photo by @pixbypedro
For years West Dunbartonshire has been crying out for a decent running track. There has always been one for my full lifetime at the current site, but it was a red gravel mess and neglected, rendering it absolutely useless. Apart from my memories of my first 1500m when I was a junior - I still remember getting shouted at to stop running in lane 2!
We were then teased by the new school in Clydebank just off the Boulevard and it's new track. There have of course been a few events there over the years and it is used by Clydesdale/Garscube for their training but for the non affiliated runner its yet another non-resourse unless you're well trained in pole vault and dodging early morning security - you can't get on it without jumping a massive fence.
The rumours of the Levengrove track have been getting banded for years. Fuelled by folk in the know about council matters has led to positive feelings about it maybe actually happening. Who would have believed it when finally we seen some construction underway those many, many months ago.
What exicting times for runners in West Dunbartonshire. Maybe we finally get an amazing facility in the area.
I haven't fully crunched the stats for the council equivalents - but where are the national level track runners that come from this area?
Can any household name any of them?
We don't have to travel that far to recognise somehouse hold names.
Ask any general athletics fan about some top Scottish runners - you'd have been aswell to hop in your car and not travel too far and you'd be in the company of the Muir, Hawkins, Buchart et al, or bounding along the M8 to the East where there is an abundance of talent and so many household names that can be named by most armchair athletes.. The 1500m events of late have delivered enough excitement on their own, without even considering any other distance.
But low and behold West Dun finally brought up the goods and they have - by the looks of it - an amazing running track.
8 lanes rather than 10, but with the markings of what could hold any junior meet, with the thankful inclusion of the steeplechase pool, long jump and hammer throw, this could be amazing. And what a place it could be for some 24 hour racing. We can only dream.
But day on day, week on week, athletes and future up and coming athletes are met by the dreaded locked gate.
Met by stonewall silence by the council - the dismay of the Marine craft members of their ever delayed facility is evident if you speak to any of them about it. Rumour has it the marine craft members have been handed the code to the locked gate. With the increase in cross over events maybe this has some potential to many.
If you strava scroll you'll see people are fench jumping to get over and enjoy this lottery funded facility. If you strava scroll enough you'll have seen that I have done that too.
What an experience it was - for years I've wanted to run around that track again and feel the bounce of the track. Yet it was totally marred.
While I had a great run along with others there whom I did not know, it was hampered by negativity.
Three times I was stopped and challenged on how I got in - to which I accept I should not be there. But I was challenged by others who also don't have access and were using the track - given the facility is not open yet.
There was also a female athlete training there along with her 2 children who were running around on lane 8, having fun, and who are the potential Olympians of our area. And again I seen her approached and asked how she got in, to which she answered someone gave her the code before leaving 400m later with her two children.
What a negative experince for the kids. What a beginning for their athletic memories should they wish to continue it. Maybe they won't.
So I guess my opinion is this.
We have an amazing resource there. That can't be used unless you're ballsy enough to jump the fence and risk potential challenge from others doing the same. The runners of the area are frustrated. The lottery funded track is there are waiting to be used by club runners and non affliliated runners alike.
I understand there will be some health and safety measures that might be delaying the grand opening, of which I am not at liberty to know of course.
There are potential races to be organised and held at the track. I've got plans for track races to organise for which I've had to look to other council areas outwith my own.
There are so many potential miles and hours of training to be done under the floodlights.
Where are the safe places for women and those that feel vulnerable running along the cycle path at night to train in the winter under darkness? I'm fortunate that I feel comfortable running along the clycle path in darkness under headtorch - but I am the absolute minority. For many people this isn't an option.
For parents to train while having their kids in sight in a safe environment knowing they can't run out the facility.
Imagine running on a winters night and you didn't have to feel the need to run with your car key in your hand because the area was floodlit and enclosed.
One thing that can't be measured is the missed opportunities for our juniors to have the basic facilities opened in order for them to meet their potential.
Olympic track champion - not under the guidance of West Dunbartonshire Council.
Opinions are my own @runrhaw
Photo by @pixbypedro who can be found and followed on the socials via @pixbypedro
Comments