People outside of the industry might be surprised to hear how much an athletics track costs. For those who know what goes into the construction of any track, let alone a high-performance track, the costs will be understandable.
But that doesn't mean facility managers and anyone else who might need an athletics track will relish the expense. Since there are so many variables, from materials and installation costs to the track's size and location, it's hard to estimate exactly how much an athletic track costs. However, many tracks will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and larger premium tracks may even cost millions. So, it's no surprise that you'll want to get the most out of your investment.
How do you get your track to last as long as possible and cost you less, all without compromising on its high-performance abilities? This handy guide by MONDO helps you maximize the longevity of your athletics track and minimize your costs.
Athletics tracks can be made from various materials. The material used in your track will impact its cost and longevity, so it's important to understand your options.
Porous tracks are made up of two layers — a sub-base that consists of rubber granules, often recycled from old tires and held together with plastic resin, and a top-layer spray finish of colored plastic and rubber granules.
Porous athletic tracks require more maintenance and repairs than many other types. Moss and plant growth are common, and since the material isn't as durable as most other tracks, wear and tear are expected within 3-5 years of installation.
Porous athletic tracks are best-suited for lower-performance clubs and community settings where they won't experience as much use. Porous running tracks should last around five years before they require a respray.
Sandwich athletic tracks are cost-effective, which is why they're often used in budget-conscious facilities like schools. However, they're widely used in a range of facilities, not just those seeking low-cost options.
These tracks are nonporous and made up of the same base layer as porous tracks. The top layer is made from polyurethane and combined with a rubber surface dressing.
Sandwich athletic tracks can be relatively expensive to install, and excessive use can result in surface bubbling, delamination and separation from curbs.
A sandwich running track's lifespan is usually around seven years, at which point they'll need to be re-topped.
Athletic tracks made from polyurethane are nonporous. Solid PU tracks use polyurethane in both layers, with the base also impregnated with rubber granules. The top layer is then finished with a rubber surface dressing. This construction prevents the track from absorbing water. To prevent standing water from causing damage, the track is designed to allow water to flow to either side. This makes biological growth unlikely.
PU tracks are often used at high-level competitions thanks to their advanced performance, spike resistance and durability. These qualities make full-pour PU athletic tracks the premium, go-to choice and preferrable to lower-quality alternatives like sandwich tracks.
However, to remain at this high standard, PU athletic tracks require more extensive maintenance than many other types of athletic tracks. Without the required maintenance, or when the track is used too much or inappropriately, the track can experience issues with delamination, marking and reduced performance.
Having a professional install your PU track properly is important for its longevity. A PU athletic track can often last 7-10 years before it needs to be re-topped.
Unlike the other types of athletic tracks, which are created as they're laid, prefabricated tracks are made at an earlier time. Manufactured in specialized factories so that quality can be more closely controlled, prefabricated tracks are made up of nonporous rubber matting.
Thanks to its high performance and extreme durability, prefabricated athletic tracks are used at the highest level for both training and competitions. That's why they've been the chosen track for many Olympic Games, including the 2024 games in Paris. Its slip-resistant characteristics also make it the preferred choice for many Paralympic events.
Prefabricated tracks also enjoy lower maintenance needs than other track types while still retaining their performance levels for many years. Depending on its usage, a prefabricated track can last 10-15 years without being resurfaced. What's more, once the track is no longer needed, it can be recycled, making it an environmentally friendly option.
Regardless of how much care and maintenance you give your athletics track, it will eventually reach a point where it's no longer realistically usable. Your track may even become unsafe to use due to cracks, uneven surfaces and reduced grip, which is why World Athletics only certifies Class 1 tracks for 10 years, with a possible extension of two years. All Class 1 tracks will also require a repeat of site testing after five years, although following some backlash, many facilities hope that this rule will change.
For professional clubs or high-end facilities, your athletes will require a track that allows them to perform at their highest level. Before it becomes unusable, a track will likely deteriorate in quality due to reduced grip and uneven surfaces. That's why professional facilities may wish to resurface or replace their tracks sooner.
When you invest in an athletics track, you want to be sure that you receive good value for money. One of the best ways to do this is to install a track that will last many years. While the type of track you choose will largely determine its longevity, there are other factors at play, too.
Running tracks are built specifically for running and walking on. If your track is used for other sports, such as cycling, or if vehicles regularly drive across it, it could become damaged sooner. To extend your track's lifespan, restrict its access to people who will use it for its intended purposes. You could also:
Even when your track is used properly, it will still experience wear and tear over time. The rate at which it deteriorates will depend on how often it's being used. The more athlete hours it experiences, the faster it will lose its performance qualities.
Not all tracks are created or installed equally. That's why choosing a reputable provider with a record of delivering top-performing athletic tracks can help you enjoy yours for even longer.
Athletic tracks provided by a less experienced supplier could be installed poorly. Incorrectly installed tracks will likely deteriorate much faster. Purchasing your track from an unreliable supplier could also result in improper construction. Whether it's made in situ or prefabricated at an earlier time, it's important that your track is constructed to perfection.
How well you maintain your athletics track will massively affect its longevity. Tracks that are maintained to the required standard:
How you should maintain your track will depend on where it's situated, what it's made from and how often it's used. To promote a longer lifespan for your athletics track, ask your supplier for advice on a maintenance schedule and stick to it.
From sweltering heat to torrential rain to frigid temperatures, outdoor tracks face much more challenging conditions than indoor tracks do. Even when the conditions are agreeable, humidity, temperature and rainfall will inevitably affect the track's condition.
Create and adapt your maintenance schedule based on the temperature, humidity and rainfall to combat the effect of these conditions on your track. For example, if your track faces frequent rainfall, consider covering it or brushing excess water from it.
While longevity affects the cost-effectiveness of your athletics track, you also need to consider the actual costs, too.
The sports surface cost will likely be the largest expense you'll face. It costs suppliers to source the materials, prepare the site and install the track. The extent of this cost will depend on what type of track you get and who your supplier is.
As with any product or service, a better-quality track from an industry-leading supplier will cost more. While you can choose the cheapest track on the market, your maintenance and repair expenses may increase since a lower-quality track is typically less durable. It also means that your athletes will be competing and training on a lower-quality track for several years. This could result in lower performance levels, more injuries and less satisfaction with the facilities.
You may have to pay for additional features when you install your track. Some features, such as drainage, can directly support your track, while others may be expected by your track's users. These features could include spectator areas, storage areas, locker rooms, fencing and lighting.
The goal is to find the right balance between cutting costs and providing a track of satisfactory quality for your athletes.
Installing a new athletics track often involves several fees, licenses and permissions, such as:
If you already have a running track in place, you may be able to respray or resurface it to keep your costs down. However, if this isn't an option or you decide you'd like to change the type of track, you'll have to remove your old track first. This removal process can be costly, particularly if you want to keep the damage to a minimum so that you can more easily install your new track.
To reduce your costs, get quotes from several businesses. If you're buying a new track, your supplier may offer to remove your old track at a reduced cost.
Maintaining and cleaning your athletics track will probably cost you thousands of dollars each year. You can either choose to maintain it yourself and reduce your costs, or you can hire a professional third party to maintain it for you. Occasionally, you'll have to bring in an expert provider to give your track a professional clean or some light touch-ups.
The more effectively you maintain your track, the longer it's likely to last. So, remember the potential long-term financial implications when deciding how much of the maintenance burden you'll take on yourself. If you do choose to maintain your track yourself, your main costs will be labor and cleaning materials.
Remember that some track types, such as prefabricated tracks, cost less to maintain, and may be the best option for those who want minimal maintenance costs.
Occasionally, your athletics track will need repairs when it experiences certain problems, such as:
To keep your overall costs low, don't delay these repairs. Damage to your track will likely worsen over time, pushing the repair costs up further. It can also affect how long your track remains usable for.
You'll almost certainly need some form of insurance for your athletics track. General liability insurance will cover most of your needs and protect you in the case of property damage and injury. When it's necessary, your insurance will also cover your legal defense. If you need to pay the medical costs of someone who was injured while using your track, accident insurance can help cover these expenses.
Many tracks come with a warranty, too. This provides an extra level of protection, should your track become damaged.
While insurances and warranties may increase your costs, they could potentially save you from much larger expenses in the future.
Maintaining your athletics track is one of the best ways to enhance its longevity, protect its performance qualities and help you get the most out of your investment. Some maintenance tips you can apply to any athletics track include:
Athletic tracks are an investment. Different types of tracks are better suited to different settings and budgets. Whichever track you get, there are steps you can take to enhance its longevity and minimize your costs.
An athletics track is expensive, so you understandably want it to last as long as possible. Many facility managers also wonder how they can reduce their costs without compromising on quality.
The most important steps to achieve these goals are to get a high-quality track that suits your facility, use a trusted supplier and maintain it well.