The dreaded derail at Franklin Field

The only thing good about the dreaded Franklin Field track rail is that it's not electrified.

It rests between the fourth and fifth lanes and has demonic characteristics. John Cleese, the high-stepping minister of Silly Walks, might be the only pedestrian to have a shot against its inherent ability to turn a steady gait into slapstick.

It is a metal strip a couple inches higher than the track surface inserted there ostensibly to seperate legitimate 400-meter lanes from lanes 1 through 4, which are shy of the quarter-mile. It also triggers enough curses to quality for a truck-driver's license.

"I couldn't tell you how many people trip over that rail," said Tom McTaggart, head starter for this week's Penn Relays.

Assume everyone.

Usually it occurs when relay teams are led to their zones. The runner taking them out will remind them of it but even the lead dog sometimes stubs his toes on the barrier. It also happens during races. Plenty of clean-ups in Lane 5.

"I went down once, loaded pistol and all," said starter Tom Meagher.

There are plenty of horror stories. This is just one of them:

Paul Poiesz, another one of the starters and former coach at Bishop McDevitt High School, was trying to be a nice guy while hoping one of the students he brought down to the Penn Relays as volunteers might join the track team. That would be the 6-5, 260-pound football and basketball player who looked like he could treat a discus like a Frisbee.

"I was trying to get him to join the team," said Poiesz. "The kids serve as gophers for the event but enjoy the spectacle. He was an excellent athlete. I tried to get him on the team a few times and thought he might change his mind once he saw the Penn Relays.

"So, he winds up tripping over the rail and breaking his foot."

He eventually joined the team. The rail's winning percentage is still off the charts. *