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I manage the recreation facilities at a university with an indoor track. Currently, we have a policy requiring all patrons to wear proper running shoes. We have had several requests to allow barefoot running. I understand the science behind barefoot running and understand why some patrons choose that style of running. Any insight on the hygiene or liability factors of allowing this practice in a facility?

We don't have indoor tracks here in California but I am replying to follow this thread. What sort of track do you have? Pad & Pray? Taraflex? Mondo? Hecho en China 'or equal'?

I know I would be scared of the space in between track and shoes. Hallways etc... where it would be reasonably expected that if you allow no shoes on track it would be reasonable that same people would be in many other parts of facility without shoes. But I guess reverse reasoning would say you don't have shoes on at the pool so... probably same liability issues as an indoor pool shoe policy. Yes I've had just enough law education to see the problem and not enough to provide a fix.
edited by @evan_adams on 11/1/2012

It is a Mondo track and we have a shoe changing/stretching area before entering the track. Most of the requests come in the colder months when they can't run outside. I would assume that these runners are wearing shoes to the facility and changing before they enter the track. So, I don't see a problem in the rest of the building, although that is a very good concern.

If you mop the track surface every once and a while I don't see this being a concern at all. Same goes for the rest of the gym, I guess, but I wouldn't want people walking around my establishment barefoot.