13 years of track and field in Atascadero

Creig P. Sherburne/Atascadero News • One very young man refuses to be daunted by a hurdle in the children under six race.

ATASCADERO — The Greyhound Athletic Foundation started hosting the All-Comers track meets in 1999, 13 years ago, as a fun way of raising the necessary funds to build the world class all-weather track that's open for community use throughout the year.

And since then, it's expanded. The foundation helped buy new band uniforms which were debuted at Galaxy Theater's opening, for instance.

Race director Robyn Schmidt said that Atascadero's meets have attracted elite athletes from around the world high jump world record holder and Olympic heptathlete Sharon Day competed last year. But the track is built. The stadium looks good. Why keep going? Why keep doing this, week after week, year after year?

"It's an awesome and healthy activity," Schmidt said. "Kids need healthy activities to help them stay away from unhealthy activities. Besides , I love seeing them smile."

Greyhound Foundation President Donn Clickard said he keeps coming back because it's important work with far-reaching effects.

"We give kids a way to experience athletics in a really friendly environment," he said. "And it's too fun to stop."

Longtime volunteer Dawn Daner said much the same thing. "Why am I here? Why not? Look at these amazing kids," she said. Keith Schmidt, K-Man Cycle & Run owner and Robyn's trophy husband, agreed with his contemporaries , but also has grand plans. "This is to put Atascadero on the map," Keith said. "People come from all over, so why not? But really, it's for the kid, man." On Wednesday, Aug. 1, Olympic bronze medalist and "champion snowball thrower" Jan Johnson said that at 8 p.m., he will have a short class in which anybody aged 11 or older can learn to and try out pole vaulting. There is no additional charge for pole vaulting. It will be included with the price of admission.

The All-Comers meets take place on Wednesdays through Aug. 8 at the Atascadero High School track beginning at 4 p.m. Everybody is welcome.

On July 25, the age range of competitors was about 2 years old all the way up to 70. Admission is $5 per person with a $15 maximum per family .

Admission entitles athletes to participate in any and all races their age group allows.

For more information, go to www.gohounds.org.