Shin splints, twisted ankles, slower times, more work, all these are because of gravel track. The Dirt Hurts Foundation is selling bricks to raise money to put in a composite track along the Mt. Rock Road across from the Mt. Rock Elementary. These bricks cost $50 and $30 of that goes directly to the Foundation. Gravel tracks require maintenance whenever it rains during track season. Events have to be put on hold for a while to clean up all the mud and take care of all the washed away gravel. It also causes more injuries for the student athletes, according to the Foundation which claims Big Spring High School is one of the last schools in the district that still has a gravel track. Two schools that have just recently put in composite tracks are West Perry and Boiling Springs.

 Boiling Springs put in their composite track about ten years ago. Rick Vensel, Business Manager at Boiling Springs High School, said that the cost of a composite track depends on its surroundings. The time of the project depends on environmental and township approvals. The planning for the project took Boiling Springs about a year. They had to bid on the project or go through an organization called Coast Stars. Vensel said “planning for the track is the most critical part.”

 According to Cory Hoffman of West Perry, that district installed their $225,000 track in two phases due to costs. If funding had been available, the installation might have taken only one week. The underlay was put in 2001 and the top coat was done in 2004.

Athletes say that every little donation counts. Donations can be made by contacting the foundation at at (717) 385-9621, or e-mailing runnerxc99@aol.com.