Young athletes build their own track
But the availability of facilities for the hundreds of athletes to hone their skills is the problem.
This is why Fit2Run, established in 2008, though it would be a good idea to build a 300 m athletics track in Grey Street, where their athletes can train on a daily basis.
According to businessman Norman Ontong, who is also one of Fit2Run’s coaches and directors, they have completed phase one of five phases.
“We have completed phase one, started on phase two and a small part of phase three,” he explained. “We are now looking to finish phase two. Phase one is a complete 300m x 8m track with the clay surface.”
Ontong says they were met with various challenges during this phase, as one side of the track was one metre lower than the other side. “We had to fill up the lower side over a length of 150 m,” he said.
According to Ontong, the piping for the irrigation was laid and approximately 25% was completed. He says 99% of this phase is already completed.
Phase two is the complete runway and the water jump for steeplechase as well as the runway and pit for the long jump.
Ten percent of this phase is already completed and the planned completion date is 30 August.
Ontong says it was important for Fit2Run to complete phase one so that the public could see they are serious about this track, hopefully attracting future investors to complete it.
Phase three is the complete laying of curbs over a distance of 600 m, phase four the construction of 300 m cement surface and phase five the complete tartan surface. According to Fit2Run, the planned completion date for this track is November 2019.
“Based on when we started, which was early this year, I think we made good progress and I am optimistic that we will finish this track by next year if we get help from businesses and the community,” says Ontong. “We want this to be a community project, and so far the feedback has been positive.
“There can be no doubt that our programme will benefit our children and help them make a positive contribution to our communities.”
According to Ontong, this athletics training track is not just about keeping the athletes fit; it’s also about keeping them away from all the social evils outside.
“We know that youngsters are so easily influenced and end up with the wrong crowd,” he said. “We at Fit2Run try to keep them busy as often as possible. We just came back from a training camp in Knysna, and part of the reason we do this camp every year is to keep the youngsters busy, away from doing the wrong stuff.”
Fit2Run will also celebrate Mandela Day by planting grass at the track. It has requested the public join them by bringing grass patches and planting it with them on Wednesday 18 July. “With the planting of grass we not only celebrating Mandela Day, we also raise awareness around the track,” says Ontong. “The community can see what we have achieved so far, what our plans are with the track and hopefully contribute.”
Source: Worcester Standard News