Vince Bagwell began using the track at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in Springfield when it opened in 2005.
"We've never had anything like this before, so it's a really good asset," Bagwell said.
However, he has noticed a change in the track itself. Small cracks turned into gaping crevices.
"I would say its progressively gotten much worse in the last five years," Bagwell explained.
Bagwell may be the only runner on the track Friday, but come track and field season, teams from across the area meet there.
"Not only Robertson County schools compete at Martin Luther King, but we have other schools come in," said Springfield Track and Field Head Coach Zach Holden. "These kids are spectacular athletes. They run 100 meters in 11 seconds or less."
That's partly the reason, at least for now, meets at the park won't happen. One meet later in March has already been canceled.
"We walked out here and we looked at it. We walked around this track. We were like, this is not safe at all. We have to do something quick," Springfield Parks and Recreation Interim Director Terry Martin said. "When we came out here this year it was like an earthquake took place."
The track is made of rubber and has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. The cost to repair it completely is more than $300,000.
As a quick fix the city will spend about $46,000 to fill in the cracks, but they're looking for a long term solution.
"Feasible wise it's better for us to come back in and do this in black top," Martin said.
It's a change some may not want.
“I think it might pose a little bit more danger for them as far as its not as forgiving if certain athletes fall,” Holden said.
“We would love to go back with this surface," Martin said. "What the surface is going to be, I don't know. It's a money thing."
The track meet at the end of March has been expected to go on as planned.
