Westminster, MD—Douglas Renner, a seasoned cross country and track coach, has been a pivotal figure in McDaniel College’s athletics since 1983. Renner’s latest project—the construction of a new track—promises to enhance the team’s training and facilitate more home meets, marking a significant shift in the Centennial Conference track sphere.
Renner, who has advocated for the new track for over a decade, attributes the project’s recent progress to effective fundraising efforts led by Dave Sears, father of track team member Jack Sears. Jack, a junior, holds several top-ten fastest times in distance events.
“Ten years, yeah, at least ten years,” Renner said, reflecting on the length of the project’s journey. The idea for the new track has been in the mix for quite some time, but it took a combination of factors to finally bring it to fruition.
The costs of the track was one of the biggest reasons for the prolonged project. David Sears, the VP for Institutional Advancement, oversees the fundraising for the track renovation as well as nine other facility projects as part of the college’s $50 million capital campaign. More than $1.2 million has been committed towards the $1.73 million project to date.
The track team shares Renner’s enthusiasm. Roman Arensmeyer, a sophomore, expressed relief at the prospect of a new track.
“I’ve heard a lot of people complain because of how old the track is and how it can hurt to run on. Plus, having a newer and nicer track will make people take us a bit more seriously,” he said.
Renner noted that McDaniel hasn’t hosted a home meet since 2018, a situation he looks forward to changing. The current track’s condition has forced the team to travel long distances for meets, often resulting in exhausting days.
After reviewing the different locations of tracks McDaniel visits throughout their season, the closest one is an hour away, with most ranging between two to three hours. This inevitably makes for long meet days, as an average track meet lasts six to eight hours, not including travel time.
One notable issue with the existing track is its inaccurate measurement. Although officially 400 meters, it has been labeled as 0.28 miles on common running apps such as Strava, causing confusion. For it to be 400 meters, it would need to be 0.25 miles long.
Renner uses a measuring wheel to ensure accuracy, stating, “I have no clue. I run a wheel around it and it looks 400 meters to me.”
The track’s poor condition has led to injuries, including a severe incident last year involving Alex Huffer.
Renner recounted, “Alex had a pulled calf, or I can’t remember the exact injury he had, but it took him out and it was definitely track related. What happened was he caught a spike in the track, and his leg moved, but the shoe stayed on the track.”
Shin splints are another common issue among McDaniel runners, exacerbated by the hard surface of the current track. Shin splints are a type of pain that runs along your shinbone and can happen from improper form, running on hard surfaces, or overuse.
Anna Kale, a junior mid-distance runner, hopes the new track will alleviate these problems. “I think the new track will be able to keep me healthy and be able to compete better because all of our workouts will be done on a bouncier material instead of the hard material it is now,” she said.
Renner has adjusted workouts to mitigate injury risks, often using turf for cool-downs and warmups. “That’s why we do a lot of stuff on the turf like cool downs and warmups,” he explained.
McDaniel is part of the Centennial Conference along with schools such as Gettysburg, Johns Hopkins, Haverford, among many others. Logistically, it would be a good meeting place for multiple teams as the distance is much shorter than it would be for a meet held at Ursinus or Muhlenberg, which hosted the Centennial Conferences in 2023 and 2024, respectively. These two schools have also been hosting outdoor championships since 2018, which results in a three-hour bus ride and an overnight stay for the McDaniel team.
McDaniel’s track meets are predicted to be much shorter than normal, as they would consist of fewer runners.
“I guarantee you if we start the running events at 5:00 O’clock, 9:30 is the last we will be done,” Renner emphasized when questioned about the timeline of the possible meets.
The new track is expected to bring numerous benefits to McDaniel’s athletic program. Not only will it reduce travel time and costs, but it will also provide a safer and more reliable training environment for the athletes. The improved facilities are likely to attract more talent to the college, boosting the overall performance of the track team.
As the outdoor track season continues, Renner remains dedicated, preparing for the upcoming cross-country preseason. Many runners are hopeful to see the difference in working out with the new track, along with improvement of workouts and coaching.
The 2025-2026 indoor track season will be the first season on the new track, and only time will tell whether it was a good investment. Renner only hopes for better times and fewer injuries.
The anticipation surrounding the new track is palpable among the athletes and the coaching staff. The project represents not just a physical upgrade, but a symbolic step forward for McDaniel College’s commitment to its athletic programs. With the new track, McDaniel aims to set higher standards and achieve greater success in the Centennial Conference.
Renner’s vision for the future is clear: a thriving track program that competes at the highest level, supported by state-of-the-art facilities. His dedication and perseverance have been instrumental in bringing this vision to life, and the entire McDaniel community eagerly awaits the completion of the new track.
The new track is not just a facility; it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the project. It symbolizes the college’s commitment to providing the best possible environment for its athletes to train and compete. As the project nears completion, the excitement and optimism within the McDaniel community continue to grow.
Renner’s leadership and commitment to the track program have inspired many, and the new track is a fitting tribute to his decades of service. The future looks bright for McDaniel’s track and field athletes, who are eager to make the most of their new training ground.
