Rekortan Holds the Record for World Athletics’ Most Certified Tracks
Why is certification important?
World Athletics certifications maintain standards and integrity. In a sport where medals are determined by millimeters and milliseconds, the sport must be sure that everyone is competing on an even and fair surface. This is why records only count on certified tracks.
Certification also provides venues, athletes and events with an important determination of quality.
25% of World Athletics Certified tracks are Polytan/Rekortan
Sport Group has the most World Athletics certified tracks globally with 25%. Of all our track systems, Rekortan M is World Athletics’ most certified track and is chosen by some of the world’s biggest stadiums including the Manchester Arena in the UK and the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. Class 1 certified Rekortan G13 gel tracks are installed at the impressive Nga Puna Wai facility in Christchurch, New Zealand and the SA Athletics Stadium in Adelaide Australia. Gel is our latest technology track providing not just the greenest track in the world, but with 58% energy return, it gives the runners more ‘ping’.
Our certification record is a demonstration of both the quality and consistency of our product and our highly skilled installation teams around the world. Venues, from Manchester to Melbourne, trust us to deliver certified tracks for them.
To certify or not to certify? That is the question.
The USA track market is large, however, World Athletics certifications have limited importance, therefore most facilities don’t require this. Certifications are equally, not necessary for grassroots venues such as schools. But are facilities who overlook certification missing out? Track certification, carries benefits at all levels of the sport and in all markets. It provides assurances that the quality meets the need of the sport and they protect the investment.
“Each market has its own complexities, and over the decades we have learned the necessary skills to deliver the most certified tracks around the world.”
What does track certification involve?
World Athletics class 1 and class 2 certifications
World Athletics certify athletics track facilities as either Class 1 or Class 2. To achieve this certification the track must be made with a World Athletics-approved track system. World Athletics certify athletics track facilities as either Class 1 or Class 2. To achieve this certification the track must be made with a World Athletics-approved track system.
Class 1 Certified Tracks
This is the premier standard and is required for hosting major global athletics events.
The testing is completed onsite by an independent accredited testing lab. The test comprises a field report and a measurement report.
The field test (in-situ testing) report measures track thickness, flatness, force reduction (energy dissipation), vertical deformation (how spongy the track is) and other key requirements. An elite track cannot have softer or harder parts, as any tiny differences are amplified by elite runners at the top of their game.
The testing will measure the athletics track system thickness in over 200 places using a FloorTest tool, which inserts 3 long needles through the track system until they touch the underlying asphalt or concrete base. The testing is very demanding; a minimum of 90% of the total track system thickness must be at least 90% of the product’s approved thickness.
This means on a 13mm system, 90% of the track must be at least 11.7mm. The margin of error across 10,000 m2 is just 1.3mm!
SMG FloorTest tool and SMG TestSet
Track smoothness is tested with a 4m long straight edge which is pulled across the entire track in all directions. This is extremely important, as athletes running at full pace must have complete confidence that the track surface is consistent and uniform underfoot.
Also, as many tracks are impervious to water, an undulation can create puddles.
For the installer, the most challenging places to meet the standards are where the track meets the D areas (where the throwing events are), and the transition areas where there is a change in slope.
The second part of Class 1 testing is the Track and Field Facilities Measurement Report. This confirms the dimensional accuracy of the line marking, the track gradient, and that associated areas such as throwing event landing sectors, comply with World Athletics requirements. This is crucially important as athletics is so precise; facilities must be standardized around the world so it is fair for all.
Class 2 Certified Tracks
Class 2 tracks must have approved products and provide a conforming Track and Field Facilities Measurement Report. Class 2 tracks do not require the field report. This certification standard is designed to provide a more cost-effective solution for facilities that are not hosting major international competition.
The Class 1 and Class 2 reports are sent to the World Athletics’ technical committee for approval and they issue the certificate upon satisfactory review of all necessary supporting documentation and reports.
“Are facilities who overlook certification missing out? Track certification carries benefits at all levels of the sport and in all markets. It provides assurances that the quality meets the need of the sport and they protect the investment.”
REKORTAN AND POLYTAN ARE THE TRACKS TO TRUST
As track systems are only 13-15mm, the asphalt layer is crucial to the flatness of the track. To achieve uniform thickness and flatness takes years of experience. With such precision required and small tolerances allowed, building a track is more complicated than other sports surfaces.
We therefore supervise all the works to ensure that everything built before the track is laid, is to the right standard. We not only supervise the asphalt, but also the curbs, drainage and other fixed equipment such as the throwing cages. In some markets, such as Australia and New Zealand, we do the full design and construction.
With 50 years of experience, we are the market leaders in track surfacing. Each market has its own complexities, and over the decades, we have honed the necessary skills to deliver the most certified tracks around the world.
World Athlatics class 1 and class 2 certifications worldwide in May 2023 - track numbers by companies
Numbers based on World Athletics list of certified tracks (June 2023)