The National Training Center in Clermont hosts world class athletes and has some of the top facilities around. Ken Brauman, Director of Track & Field at the NTC recently let us in on plans to create a new 5k cross country course along with some updates to the track and field complex.
Clermont is a city known for its great hills and why not take advantage of it. Adjacent to the track and field facility is a sprawling space that would be great for the cross country runners of Florida. Brauman says that a path would be created through this and take runners around the surrounding area including the track and new all purpose fields they will be building as well. Unlike many courses across the state that are three loop courses, this will be a single loop.
Spectators will be able to view the start and finish which will be on the flattened surface of the new fields. They will also be able to view a majority of the race from that ridge. The course will be open by the start of next cross country season in the fall of 2014. They plan to host one all-comers meet at the beginning of the season and a major invitational in either September or October. In the future Brauman hopes that the NTC will be able to bid for the Cross Country Finals. There are no immediate plans to make a longer 8k or 10k course.
In addition to the new cross country course, the NTC will also improve its existing track and field area. The track will receive a face lift with the installation of a new Beynon surface. It will not be the top of the line surface that Hayward Field at the University of Oregon has, but a smoother training surface identical to the ones at FSU and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney. Depending on the length of the project it could begin as early as December or could be postponed until the start of the summer. Also, in the works are grandstands along the straight away and finish, as well as lights, and a possible press box area. Brauman says the lights are a huge plus with teams and athletes wanting to train in the morning or late at night.
We will keep you posted with upcoming events including their throws clinics, summer meets, as well as improvements to the cross country course and track and field.