University of Mary Washington’s Big Blue Beynon Track is Making Waves

On a sunny October day at the University of Mary Washington, the students, staff, alumni and athletes dedicated their new Beynon track by taking a ceremonial lap around the much anticipated facility.

The track is the latest addition to UMW’s Battleground Athletic Complex on Hanover Street near the Fredericksburg campus.

The centerpiece of the complex is the IAAF approved BSS 1000 track & field facility by Beynon Sports. The oval features eight blue lanes with gray accents circling an irrigated grass infield.

“Our team chose Beynon for a couple of reasons,” said Kunle Lawson, UMW Head Coach of Cross Country and Track and Field. “The first being financial. We needed to secure a top-quality surface at a reasonable price and Beynon checked those boxes. Secondly was reputation. Any track and field coach knows that Beynon tracks produce good marks and the surface is very durable with a mild amount of maintenance.”

The same Beynon surface is found at some of the world's most admired facilities in the country. The BSS 1000 is durable enough to resist the roughest of weather, such as Virginia’s hot summers and cold winters, while providing the industry-leading competition and training surface.

The facility also boasts dual long and triple jump runways with sand pits, plus a dedicated shot put area and hammer and discus cage.

UMW Track & Field will host its first home meet of the season, followed by the Battleground Relays in March and April. The team will also host the CAC Outdoor Championships on in the spring of 2017.

“Our athletes are really looking forward to being able to showcase the new Beynon facility,” Lawson said. “At our dedication, you could just sense the excitement from those in attendance: the current team members, alumni, coaches. . .” Lawson, said. “This is a Beynon facility everyone has waited for and is proud to have.”