There’s a new mind control facility in Spokane that attracts runners. I decided to go there undercover. It seems to be working quite well as I saw lots of people who look like runners and people I know personally who are runners.

The way it works, the facility stages events that are designed to attract the running crowd. They flock to the site hypnotically, lining up to get inside where they sit obediently, silently watching a “performance” that affects their mood.

Like robotic cheerleaders, they clap hands at certain moments, yell things and then go into a stupor, moving their heads back and forth like watching a bug flying circles in front of them. It disgusts me, yet somehow I was drawn into it, too.

This facility is called The Podium, and what attracts runners are track meets.

It’s brand new, and I’ve already been to two track meets. What makes this place different from the other indoor running tracks in our area is its large size and that it’s a banked track. This allows for fast times, which really appeals to track athletes. Here’s a couple photos of very fast runners at The Podium.

This facility allows big indoor meets to be held in Spokane which couldn’t have happened before. When there is no track meet scheduled, the running track can be dismantled for other sporting events to take place.

One of the meets I watched was the U.S. Indoor Track & Field Championships. The two top finishers in each event qualified for the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. I got to see Cole Hocker, currently the top middle distance runner in the U.S, win two races.

A unique feature that no other track facility has is the Athletes and Fans Interactive Playground in the courtyard. Designed for athletes as a pre-event warm up and for fans needing a break from sitting, it is well used. Mingling is encouraged, and a kiosk with a generous supply of pens and writing paper allows fans to get all the autographs they want.

I think The Podium is a great thing for Spokane. So is the playground which isn’t really a designated warm up area for athletes. It just happens to be close to The Podium in Riverfront Park.