Carson City residents ponied up about $1.5 million for the renovation of the Carson High football stadium and track and after Saturday's first Track Trot, the consensus is the money has been well spent.
The Track Trot was held on Saturday as a way to introduce the track to the community. While many in the community have already taken advantage of the chance to run on the track, Saturday's even gave many runners the chance to run on the track for the first time.
The football stadium renovation project was funded as part of a bond measure passed by Carson City voters in 2006.
During the event 5-kilometer and 1-mile runs were held around the CHS campus, starting and finishing on the track. But the most popular events of the day were the 100 to 800 meter runs involving the kids, with the 100-meter diaper dash for ages 2 and under being the most popular race of all.
"Lots of kids running around," CHS track coach Robert Maw said. "The kids were definitely the highlight of the event."
CHS tennis coach Kevin Fallon was among the many runners who commented on how forgiving the track was to run on. "It was pleasant, very comfortable," Fallon said. "It's like running on the moon or running on a mattress."
Fallon ran the the 5K although he admitted the term was loosly used when it came to him. "The key word to the event is trot, I think," he said.
Sgt. Erick Studenicka of the Nevada National Guard echoed Fallon's sentiments about how nice the track is. "It's awesome," he said. "This is as good as any college track."
Maw also talked about the effect the track had when someone ran on it last week. "He went to Fleet Feet and bought a pair of shoes so he could start running," Maw said. "When it has that effect on somebody, we know that our community has done a good job."
With the new track, CHS can again host meets and has three meets planned for 2009. CHS will once again be able to host the Carson Invitational, which has been a major fund-raiser for the Carson track program. Carson will also host another league meet and will again host the Tah-Neva League Middle School Championships.
The meet that Carson covets is the NIAA State Championships for all classes. Carson will apply to host the state meet when it returns to the North in 2010.
Maw said the community is welcome to use the track any time it's open. The track is normally open after school.
"It's a facility I hope people come and No. 1, respect, and then use the track and enjoy it."
Maw also said the Track Trot should become an annual event and hopes to add another feature next year in which rival business and entities compete against each other in relays such as the fire and police departments.