Why the lack of track?

If we are to believe all the western coaching ideals about distance running, then the roots of every good distance runner are in the track. Quite frankly there is nothing that I have seen that can dispute this theory.


One only needs to look at the marathon world record holders and Olympic champions to see that all of them have very good 5000m and 10000m times. This works for us weekend hacks to. If you are quicker than me over 10km, then if we both train for it, then you should beat me over a marathon, 50km or even 100km. That said though the longer the race the more there is that can (and often will) go wrong.

Again comparing serious training programs for these distances with programs for the marathon, one can see that they are at times almost identical save for the long run at the end of the week being longer in the marathon program.

Why then do we in Australia seem to have so little access to quality running tracks? We do seem to have ample football and cricket pitches in most suburbs, but somehow we seem to have neglected to build athletics tracks.

Such tracks are commonplace around most North American and European football pitches, resulting in an increased section of the population having access to training facilities that unlike a gym they don’t pay to use. Aside from serious runners, many people who are hesitant to walk around their neighbourhood due to safety issues congregate at these venues to get in their daily exercise.

With obesity being ever on the rise in all western nations, one has to ask why the Australian government has neglected to make these simple changes that could have a profound impact on communities?

Aside from the simple benefits to the average man, having these facilities accessible to the youth can only result in increased outdoor activity and eventually more international athletics medals. – Sean Muller