The surface of an athletics track is more than just the surface on which athletes run and push themselves. It's almost certainly one of the most important tools for the vast majority of them. But to keep its biomechanical properties and performance in perfect condition, the surface requires maintenance, care, protection, and, when necessary, repairs or complete replacement. Just like any other professional tool.
One of the Spanish athletics facilities that has recently meticulously restored this "tool" is the Riomar Stadium in Castro Urdiales (Cantabria), where Mondo has carried out cleaning, repairs, and line markings. With an eight-lane, 400-meter rope ring, jump sections, and four internal 60-meter rope lanes, among other areas, the improvements will allow athletes in the Iberian region of Cantabria to once again have a track that complies with current regulations. They will benefit local clubs and grassroots sports, enable more competitions, and facilitate the renewal of the track's certification.
In Italy, a prime example is the renovation of the Fontanassa athletics track in Savona, inaugurated in 2011 and built with Mondotrack. Thanks to regular maintenance every two years, the track maintains consistent performance over time. The facility has hosted the Savona Athletics Meeting and the Giulio Ottolia Memorial for several years, and recently joined the World Athletics Continental Tour – Challenger, becoming one of the few Italian facilities capable of hosting high-level international events.
Track maintenance, from compliance with regulations to periodic surface inspections, is therefore essential to ensure the safety, performance, and longevity of the facility, both for professional athletes and local athletes.
Good news: maintaining prefabricated rubber surfaces for athletics tracks is simple and generally requires no special interventions. Among the key steps for proper maintenance are periodic cleaning of the surface and keeping the drainage channels free of soil, mud, grass, or any other object that could impede proper water drainage. It is very important to remove any sand that may fall or invade the surface from the jump pits or perimeter areas to prevent it from eroding the track surface.
Washing the surface is probably the most important step and the one that yields the best aesthetic results, and it is recommended to do so at least once a year. The most recommended option is the use of specific industrial machines with rotating brushes. This service is offered by specialized companies and is generally performed with high-pressure washers (for rubber surfaces only). On other types of surfaces, it could damage the surface and dislodge poorly adherent granules. Therefore, it is always advisable to follow the surface manufacturer's instructions. Another option—less suitable due to its greater difficulty—is to use brooms or brushes, first applying a neutral detergent and then rinsing the surface thoroughly.
Despite every care, track use and the passage of time make repairs or targeted interventions to the surface inevitable, sooner or later. Small damage that may appear must be repaired immediately to prevent it from worsening. Due to the friction of athletes and exposure to external conditions, it is also recommended to repaint the white lines and markings every 3-5 years. Furthermore, special attention must be paid to maintaining the aluminum edge, which tends to wear easily if not maintained.
The human factor should not be overlooked either: athletics track surfaces are much more susceptible than other surfaces to heavy loads, the passage of machinery, improper use, or the use of overly long nails. Controlling authorized access to the facility and establishing rules of use will help ensure the surface has a much longer useful life.