Fairchild opens temporary running track in Hangar Published Feb. 10, 2011 By 2nd Lt. Nick Kim 92nd Air Refueling Wing FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- As an alternative to the 1/16 mile track in the fitness center, a new 1/8 mile track has opened for Team Fairchild in Hangar 2, Bldg. 2050. The track is a temporary answer to the track in the fitness center. The track inside the fitness center requires 24 laps to complete the 1.5 mile run of the physical fitness assessment, according to Fred Wagner, fitness assessment cell administrator. "The indoor track can cause some stress to the legs, especially with the tight turning radius" said Angela Pepper, fitness assessment cell administrator. She emphasized, however, that injuries have not occurred due to the fitness track. Most were pre-existing injuries. Airmen who ran on the temporary track saw an improvement in the quality of their runs. While their times have not changed drastically, it helped running to be less stressful on the body, according to two Airmen who took their fitness test on the hangar track. "The track in the hangar is definitely better. It is an easier run," said Tech. Sgt. John Donahue. While Fairchild's runway is reconstructed through November, the empty hangars have proven an effective alternative to the indoor fitness center track. Airmen should remember, however, that a new track, like new sneakers, isn't going to make or break a composite test score. The hangar track is merely another option, Mrs. Pepper said. "If Airmen are investing time into being more physically fit by running two or three times a week, exercising routinely and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, they can pass the physical fitness assessment," Mrs. Pepper said. "The new track is not going to be the saving grace for those who are barely passing or failing. Ultimately it is up to the individual."