Somewhere in San Francisco right now, a nervous new runner is Googling whether they're allowed to use Kezar Track at a 9:30 mile pace. And honestly? That's kind of heartbreaking.

We get it — the anxiety is real. You picture yourself huffing along in lane one while some Division I-caliber sprinter bears down on you like a freight train, and suddenly your peaceful jog becomes a liability. But here's the thing: Kezar Stadium is a public facility, maintained with public dollars, and it belongs to every San Franciscan who wants to use it. Full stop.

As one SF resident put it bluntly: "That's not even slow. People walk it. Chill."

They're right. On any given afternoon, Kezar's track is a beautiful cross-section of the city — high schoolers running practice, UCSF doctors and nurses walking laps on their breaks, casual joggers, serious marathoners, and yes, people who are just getting started. The vibe is overwhelmingly welcoming. The basic etiquette is simple: stick to the outer lanes if you're moving slower, leave the inside lanes for faster runners and sprinters, and be aware of your surroundings. That's it. No speed minimum. No gatekeepers.

One local joked that "the entire SFPD is actually there enforcing minimum speed, which is why they don't have time for other car-related speeding tickets." If only our policing priorities were that amusing in real life.

Here's what we love about this story, though — it's actually a small win for San Francisco. Kezar is a genuinely great public amenity that works the way public amenities should work: open, accessible, free, and shared. No $200 monthly membership. No app. No waitlist. Just a flat oval and some fresh air. In a city where we spend billions on infrastructure projects that somehow never finish, it's nice to remember that some of our existing public spaces already deliver tremendous value — if people just show up and use them.

And if you want an even quieter option, the Polo Fields track in Golden Gate Park is another solid choice, though it closes briefly each summer for Outside Lands.

So lace up, head to the Haight, and take your laps. The track is yours. You already paid for it.