WOODBURY- For track athletes, sunburn isn’t just common, it’s almost expected.

Hours under the sun, no shade, no breaks. This isn’t an occasional inconvenience; sunburn and health problems are constant problems for track athletes.

Staying in the sun too long can affect performances, comfort, and even long-term health.

“You have to worry about heat stroke,” said track coach Deborah Flaherty. “I have had athletes that have vomited from the heat.”

At first your sunburn might seem minor, but a little redness and a slight sting can turn into full discomfort very quickly.

“I can’t even put my bag down,” said freshman Lucas Forcucci. ”My whole body hurts. I didn’t wear a sun screen during my meet and now I regret it.“

Unlike other sports, track provides little to no escape from the sun. They spend hours upon hours in the sun.

“We do have a tent and sunscreen there,” said Flaherty. “I was instructing athletes to get out of the sun, get in the shade for a while.”

Between warm-ups, races, and waiting for events, the exposure adds up quickly.

Forucci said, ”This is the longest meet I’ve ever had, so I didn’t know to wear sunscreen.”

Some athletes take precautions against the sun, but most don’t.

“Wearing sunscreen helps, but I didn’t,” said freshman Emma Pratt. “Now I have a really bad burn on my shoulders and neck, like I have a jersey tan line.”

By the end of the day, the result sheet may show a winner and a loser. But across the field, another outcome is just as visible, athletes are walking away with burnt, red, peeling skin.