What Type of All-Weather Surface Will Best Suit Your Track?
Track and field has been a sport that has been enjoyed as long as recorded history. Ever since the ancient Greeks started the first Olympics over two thousand years ago, people have been enjoying participating in and watching these events. Up until very recently, the surface of these tracks was basically dirt, or grass. Today, however, there are a plethora of different surfaces that can withstand any kind of weather.
This makes keeping the track in event condition much easier. In the old days, if it rained, they had to cover the track just like they do today in baseball. This is not only inconvenient for the spectators, but it was dangerous to the athletes, as sometimes traction was an issue to be worried about. But with so many all weather tracks using rubber coating or any other kind of artificial surface, there is no need to worry about weather.
Not only that, but the surface themselves are much more safe for the participants, and injuries are much less common. With the explosion of technology in recent years, there are plenty of surfaces to choose from. You are no longer constrained to simple rubber coating.
A Little History
The first artificial tracks were created in the fifties, and were a combination of rubber and asphalt. Many more were built in the sixties using this technology, and still exist today. That shows the durability of artificial surfaces. Later, polyurethane tracks were created, and were considered an advance beyond the basic rubber/asphalt mix. Polyurethane systems are still widely used today on many tracks around the world.
Modern Systems
Many of these systems start with a rubber coating, or a rubber mat base. On top of this is sprayed with a two component polyurethane and rubber blend. This combines to produce a fine running surface that provides excellent shock absorption and can withstand any kind of weather conditions.
Rekortan produces another similar track. The first Rekortan track was used in Berlin in 1969. Many athletes prefer this type of track, as it gives them much better footing in wet weather conditions than any other competitor. It also is preferred in dry running conditions as well. These excellent tracks come in three layers, each a proprietary blend of rubber and a polyurethane mix. The first layer is 3mm, then 8mm, and then 4mm giving a total of 15mm. This may seem small, but it’s enough to be chosen as the most preferred track coating surface by athletes around the world.
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