How to Choose the Best Track Surface

Choosing the type of surface is the most important decision to make when constructing a track. There are many available options and each of them comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. Which one will be best for your facility depends on a number of critical factors such as your financial resources, location, and maintenance capability, the intended frequency and use of the track, and many more.

Running track type of surface can impact the speed, technique, and physical health of the runners, so you need to keep safety and performance in mind when making your choice. Cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance should be among your top considerations as well.

To be able to make an informed decision, you need to be aware of the pros and cons of different types of running track surfaces and choose the one that best suits your budget and your purposes.

Synthetic Surfaces

Today, most running tracks are built with synthetic rubber – rubber particles bound with latex or polyurethane. The latex or polyurethane surface is typically installed to a depth of about 1/2″ on top of an asphalt or concrete base. It is possible to construct the systems in layers and use different textures for the optimal amount of traction and best performance.

Prefabricated Rubber Surfaces

Prefabricated rubber running track uses environmentally-friendly natural rubber, synthetic rubber and environmental additives to pre-mold and print. Through automated production line, it is prefabricated at high temperature (160°C) at one time. The product is environmentally friendly, has good weather resistance, abrasion resistance, uniform thickness, uniform elasticity, nail puncture resistance, strong aging resistance, good impact absorption, and excellent resilience. It is the product of choice for environmental protection requirements and athletes' competition to improve performance. 

Polyurethane running track surfaces

Polyurethane surfaces come in four different types:

The basic polyurethane-bound system consists of rubber particles bound with polyurethane (the so-called base mat);

The porous polyurethane track consists of a base mat, covered by a porous layer coated in a texture spray. This type of surface is very soft and permeable;

A sandwich surface combines porous and solid polyurethane surfaces. The base mat is sealed and topped with a flood coat of polyurethane and rubber, creating a permeable, textured surface. This is the most commonly used track surface;

A full pour system is where each layer is mixed and poured in place. These surfaces are textured and impermeable.

Benefits of Synthetic Running Track Surfaces

Synthetic running track surface has a number of considerable advantages over all other types of track surfaces:

It creates a very fast and high-performing track that helps improve runners' economy of action by 2-3%. The synthetic rubber surface acts like a springboard, giving athletes more energy in their next stride and increasing their speed;synthetic system provides superb shock absorption and cushioning, protecting athletes from injury and trauma. The soft, resilient surface is very forgiving on muscles and joints – it not only absorbs even the most violent impact, but also reduces muscle stress and supports leg exertion; synthetic running tracks are extremely durable, lasting up to 20 years or more. It is almost impervious to weather and requires very little maintenance.

With so many options available, you need to give a great deal of thought to choosing the best track surface for your installation. You need to consider your particular needs and purposes and take into account the initial cost of the track, its maintenance requirements, life expectancy, safety and performance characteristics, etc. when making your final decision.

If you're looking for professional advice, Flystep running track manufacturer is here for you – we'll be glad to help you sort through the available options and choose the best running track surface for your project. If you need help installing and maintaining the track, you can count on us as well.