The thriller is equal components scatological and consequential, and it’s the speak of the skilled working neighborhood in Arizona:

Did a runner defecate close to a public highschool observe in Sedona, Ariz., and have elite skilled runners been restricted from utilizing the observe due to it?

The questions turned public on Tuesday when Sam Parsons, an expert runner for the Tinman Elite group, tweeted “Wait… this story of why professional runners in Flag are banned from utilizing Sedona HS observe for coaching rn can’t be actual.”

It was actually true that the varsity had determined to restrict outsiders’ entry to the observe. It was much less clear that it had accomplished so as a result of a runner had defiled it, however that hardly mattered. The incident virtually immediately was dubbed “poopgate” — a hashtag emerged — and a number of working podcasts mentioned it.

Molly Seidel, the bronze medalist on the Tokyo Olympic marathon who lives in close by Flagstaff, tweeted about it. So did Rachel Schneider, one other Olympian in Flagstaff. The center-distance runner Nikki Hiltz jokingly posted a photo carrying a sweatshirt that claims “I Pooped At the moment.” David Ribich wryly distanced himself from the controversy, clarifying that his skilled staff, the Brooks Beasts, trains in Albuquerque, not Flagstaff.

Past the jokes, nevertheless, is a extra difficult story, in addition to an unlikely reality: The skilled working ecosystem in the USA depends closely on a public highschool observe in a metropolis with lower than 10,000 folks.

Flagstaff has grow to be a mecca of distance working, rivaling and even surpassing Portland, Ore., and Boulder, Colo., over the previous decade. It sits about 7,000 toes above sea stage, the proper elevation for year-round altitude coaching, and boasts gentle summer time temperatures and a whole lot of miles of trails.

As runners moved there, infrastructure developed. Northern Arizona College in Flagstaff has gained 5 of the final six males’s N.C.A.A. cross nation championships, and the working shoe producer HOKA sponsors an expert staff, the Northern Arizona Elite, primarily based there.

Virtually as essential as Flagstaff, nevertheless, is the observe in Sedona that helps runners comply with the stay excessive, prepare low credo of endurance athletics.

A vacationer vacation spot recognized for its crimson sandstone rocks and artwork galleries, Sedona is a couple of 45-minute drive from Flagstaff, and about 2,500 toes nearer to sea stage. Runners dwelling in Flagstaff continuously journey to the Crimson Rock Jr. Sr. Excessive College observe for prime depth velocity work and intervals, coaching that’s much less efficient at Flagstaff’s increased altitude.

“For runners typically, I’d admit that it’s an important a part of the Flagstaff coaching expertise,” Ben Rosario, the coach of Northern Arizona Elite, wrote of the Sedona observe in an e mail. Simply within the final month, he mentioned, he has seen athletes from all around the United States, Canada and Europe following the high-low path from Flagstaff to Sedona.

Even with skilled runners flocking to the area, the Sedona highschool had the identical casual rule as public college tracks throughout the nation — anyone may present up and use the observe outdoors college hours, and typically even throughout college hours. However in response to each a rising trash drawback and the coronavirus pandemic, final yr the district’s operations director instituted a system wherein working teams have been requested to order time on the observe. Additionally they needed to have insurance coverage and pay a nominal payment.

In some circumstances, the worldwide working neighborhood apparently wasn’t conscious of the native rule. Earlier than final summer time’s Tokyo Video games, the observe was virtually swarming with Olympic hopefuls who had relocated — some from as far-off as Japan — to what they thought-about the proper coaching surroundings. Skilled groups primarily based elsewhere additionally continuously maintain coaching camps in Flagstaff.

“With international Covid restrictions lifted, athletes from all around the world have traveled to Flagstaff this winter to coach and lots of have been going to Sedona to work out with out going by the right channels,” Rosario mentioned. “Once you do this, the services will not be open, together with the bogs.”

As for what induced the varsity to limit entry to the observe, no person was keen to completely describe the misdeed. Rosario mentioned the incident occurred a number of weeks in the past, however he wasn’t certain what it was. Stephen Haas, an agent who represents many runners who prepare on the observe, mentioned the rumors have been “solely partially true,” however wouldn’t say extra.

However the story is clearly greater than a rumor. Jennifer Chilton, the director of operations for the varsity district, acknowledged in an e mail that the varsity had lowered the variety of reservations it was taking to make use of the observe. The rationale, she mentioned, was principally to make it accessible to college students who needed to make use of it.

Nonetheless, she mentioned, “It’s correct to say, in a restricted means, that behaviors of some runners performed a task,” Chilton wrote. She mentioned that whereas she shouldn’t be a runner, she has realized that runners relieving themselves outdoors shouldn’t be uncommon and that “packing rest room paper is widespread and evidenced.”

Chilton mentioned her predominant concern was the well-being of the scholars and lamented that “the main target is on what’s sensational.”

The identification of any runner or runners who could have dedicated a sensational act stays a thriller. Runners and working followers have scoured Instagram pictures to find out which teams educated within the space previously month, and pointed their fingers at a few out-of-town observe golf equipment, which denied any indiscretions.

Within the meantime, solely school-affiliated teams are allowed to make use of the observe, although previous reservations are being honored. Skilled runners have migrated quickly — they hope — to much less storied tracks in close by Cottonwood or Camp Verde, or they’re staying in Flagstaff.

Some members of the skilled working neighborhood are engaged on a proposal to revive entry to the observe that they may current at a faculty board assembly subsequent week. Rosario mentioned an answer would wish to maintain college students secure, adequately compensate the varsity, and final however not least permit “skilled observe athletes to make use of a facility that simply occurs to be within the excellent location as they prepare for the Olympic Video games.”