Synthetic running track surfacing has become an increasingly popular sports facility for a number of organisations including schools, colleges and sports clubs in the UK over the last few years.
One of the main reasons for this increase in popularity was the London 2012 Olympics where Team GB’s success inspired a lot more children and young people to get into different athletic events such as sprinting, hurdles and long jump. But what is the surface that these emerging athletes are all training on, and how is it made? Let’s find out.
Athletics Running Track Surfacing Designs
The surfaces used to construct these top quality athletics track are all made of rubber crumb with a PU (polyurethane) binder, however these sports facilities come in 3 different designs to suit individual specifications and budgets. Here are the different types of running track surfaces:
Structural Spray Polymeric – This type of athletics track surface consists of a 12mm SBR base with a 3mm sprayed EPDM textured surface finish which has a combined depth of 15mm.
Full EPDM Surface – This artificial athletics track is made completely from EPDM rubber surfacing installed in a number of layers which combine to give a 13mm overall depth.
Sandwich System – This sports surface is constructed in two layers which are made up of a 10mm SBR base and a 3mm EPDM wearing course which combine to give a total depth of 13mm.
Needlepunch Synthetic Turf
Many recreational athletics tracks are installed using needlepunch Multisport turf as this is a softer, more cost effective option for school facilities. The surface is made of a durable carpet with curly yarn fibres and a silica sand infill.
A range of colour options are available for running tracks with this specification, and you could mark out each running lane with a different colour to create a striped effect.
What These Surfaces Can Be Used For
Athletics running track surfacing can be installed by sport surfacing contractors in the UK to a number of dimensions and specifications to suit your individual sports facility or project. The surfaces can be used for a multitude of different sports and events including 25-100m sprints and hurdles as well as long jump runways, triple jump runways and javelin run up tracks.
Our experts would be happy to give you more advice on the designs of these different surface types if you are interested in having one installed. All you need to do is fill in the contact box on this page and let us know what you’re looking for.
Amateur Athletic Association
The Amateur Athletic Association can also be known as AAA in the track and field sector. This was the official body responsible for athletics before UKA. As opposed to governing athletics, AAA currently represents the volunteer section. The Amateur Athletic Association operate in many institutions in Britain for example schools, colleges in addition to sports centres.
A variety of contests and events are presented to younger athletes by the organisation to assist them to build their sporting abilities. These contests for young athletes produced by AAA are regarded as development resources for grass root and children for future years.
The Amateur Athletic Association has also taken on safeguarding the historical past regarding the sports activity. Elite athletes will often be awarded with outstanding and historical medals and trophies by the Amateur Athletic Association. The initiatives of the athletics niche are to grow enthusiasm and also to help in the development of young sports athletes.
School Activities
In schools and colleges, National Championships are run by Amateur Athletic Association to encourage young people to join in sports and athletics. When possible they will fund and contribute money to these events for sports and athletics products as well as sponsorship. UKA and British Athletics are now the governing bodies to this sport yet AAA stand for the volunteering sector.
Many schools are now having compact athletics facilities built to give the children better opportunities to take part in different sporting events. These generally incorporate a range of features like sprint tracks, long jump runways, high jump areas and jogging circuits. The idea is to use smaller budgets and less outdoor space to create compact sport facilities which offer the same characteristics as full sized ones. For recreational use there is no need to have a full running track, this is why many schools choose the smaller, more cost effective option.
This video shows our team completing the construction of a triple jump pit with a Multisport synthetic run up track. This kind of facility is popular with schools as it enables the children to take part in a number of athletic activities.
Performance Standards
The group creates new track and field requirements for different sports and athletics events annually that is then released. Performances in previous years are utilized to create these standards; this then generates four grades which the very best sports athletes may fall into. The performance requirements for the athletics activities are compiled by databases of info collected over the years which is modified every couple of years.
Certificates and badges are given to young people that conform to these particular requirements. Plaques can also be given out, by the AAA, to children which achieve Grade 1 which raises the number or people who participate in sports and athletics. There is also a charity that helps younger athletes start out their careers by offering them small grants or loans; this organisation is called AAA Charity for the Young.
Why Choose Us?
We are industry leaders with a wealth of experience in the installation and maintenance of surfacing for sports facilities and play areas. We can offer you outstanding service which caters to your individual requirements and the specification of your project. We aim to give you the best quality end result as well as offering excellent value products and services which can be tailored to suit your budget.
If you would like more information on athletics running track surfacing or any of our other products and services including artificial grass pitches and polymeric MUGAs, please visit our website at http://sportsandsafetysurfaces.co.uk/. If you would like to submit an enquiry or discuss prices and costs for a project like this, please contact us through the contact form where we will be able to assist you with your project and offer you a quote.
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