Residents tell Marlington board runners on Beeson Street create safety hazards

Residents in neighborhoods northeast of Arlington pressed the Marlington Local School District Board of Education on April 8 to address what they described as unsafe behavior by student runners who use Beeson Street, Clapsaddle Avenue and other nearby roads for training.

Michael Barubi, a Beeson Street resident, told the board, “What they're doing is not safe at all, and they're not being monitored or supervised, by anybody,” and said students often run in groups rather than single file on stretches where the posted speed limit is 55 mph. Janice Berube, a former teacher and Wellington resident, said the district’s track rules require runners to stay single file on roads but that she “don't think I've ever seen them in a single line.”

Why it matters: speakers said the combination of fast-moving traffic, limited shoulders and visibility, and group running raises both immediate collision risks and community friction. Multiple residents described near-miss incidents, vehicles having to swerve or stop, and repeated rule violations. Several called for enforceable discipline, better documentation of complaints, and possible law-enforcement involvement.

Board moderator and staff member Michael Foss opened public participation and timed speakers; the board did not take a formal action on the issue during the meeting.

Neighbors described several categories of concern. Jim Horniak, a 15-year Lexington Township resident, said boys on some runs frequently refuse to move aside for traffic and can run two to four abreast on narrow roads, while “the girls … move to a single file line” when approached. Charisse Kanell said she has logged and photographed incidents including trespassing, vandalism, and a student who she said stood in front of her house and gestured at her; she said repeated reports to the district did not produce enforceable consequences. Chad Reese, citing advice from an orthopedic specialist, said repetitive running on the same loop and soft ground can increase risk of overuse injuries and advocated bringing law enforcement into conversations about both traffic and harassment concerns.

Not every speaker supported tighter restrictions. Shirley Ryan, who identified herself with the local running community, said rural runners must use roads to train: “We have good kids … they are out there, they're active, they're … striving to be the best that they can be.” She noted cross-country training mileage needs that make running only on the school track impractical.

Residents urged three practical steps: clearer, documented enforcement (including written records of complaints and actions), disciplinary follow-up when school rules are violated, and coordination with local law enforcement when traffic laws or harassment occur. Several speakers said they want a district policy that results in consistent, documented consequences rather than informal conversations.

Clarifying details from public comments: residents repeatedly cited a 55 mph speed limit on Beeson Street; multiple witnesses described runners traveling two to four abreast and occasional vehicle swerves or near-stops to avoid runners; speakers said some complaints had been shared with school staff but that documentation of outcomes was inconsistent or “not kept.” Chad Reese referenced orthopedic risks such as shin splints, tendonitis and stress fractures from repetitive running on the same surface; he also urged action on distributing or posting photos of minors without parental consent.

What the board did: the board heard the comments during the public participation portion of the April 8 meeting but did not vote, direct staff to a formal investigation, or announce new enforcement rules at that session. Board members present were recorded on roll calls for other agenda items but did not offer a substantive response on this matter during public comment.

Next steps mentioned in public remarks: residents asked the district to (1) institute a consistent complaint log, (2) provide enforceable discipline when school running rules are violated, and (3) coordinate with local law enforcement on traffic or harassment incidents. The meeting record shows the issue will remain part of the public record for future board discussion but includes no board directive from April 8.