11th Annual Pride Track & Field Meet
Please sign this online petition. SFT&FC is participating in a community effort to have the Kezar track replaced. As many of you know, the track has seen better days and the replacement is well overdue. We have already sent letters to the Mayor and San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission to urge them to fund such project. Below is a letter sent to the Mayor.
February 21, 2013
Honorable Edwin Lee, Mayor
City of San Francisco
San Franisco – City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlet Place,
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Mayor Lee:
To many LGBT athletes, the track at Kezar Stadium is more than just a public track. It is a symbol of gay athleticism, and the site where the first Gay Games took place. It continues to be used by gay athletes, who are training either for future Gay Games, or other running events. It is also used by various running groups, some of which help keep teens off the streets, and seniors healthy and active. Unfortunately, the current condition of the track makes it difficult for individuals to use it. It is, therefore, San Francisco Track and Field Club’s sincere wish to see the track at Kezar Stadium replaced with a track that meets today’s performance and safety standards.
The deterioration of the track is clearly visible and a health hazard. Parts of the track are developing
bubbles that can be dangerous to runners moving at a fast pace. The track’s shock absorbing feature is no longer functioning properly, leading to an increase in preventable knee and foot injures. Physically, it feels like you are running on concrete, something that has been shown to lead to an array of chronic injuries (i.e. stress fractures. tibial stress syndrome, patellar tendinitis, etc.).
We need your help to avoid such preventable accidents and injuries. It is our understanding that the City and County of San Francisco has had a line item in its Capital Budget Requests for the replacement of the track for the past five years. Please advise the City to release funding for this project as soon as possible. Such a decision will not only lead to positive and tangible improvements in the health and wellbeing of San Francisco residents, it will also honor current and future LGBT athletes, as well as Dr. Tom Waddell and Sara Lewinstein, two individuals who have helped elevate and showcase LGBT athletes.
Sincerely,
Craig A. Wingate MPH
President
San Francisco Track and Field Club
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