Running track

When we hear about an running track or athletics track, we immediately relate it to a running surface, which contains two parallel straight lines that are framed by two curves that have the same radius. We could not say that it has the exact shape of an oval, but they are quite similar. The running track is the ideal place to do a series of sports and to train, and it is the fundamental part of many of the sports disciplines that we can observe in important competitions, such as, for example, the Olympic Games that are held every four years.

Related topics

Obstacle race, relay race, hurdle race, speed race

What is the running track?

The running track is an area in which athletics races are held. It is a track with a shape quite similar to an oval, red and delimited by white marks to separate the lanes.

Characteristics of an running track

The main characteristics that an running track must have are the following:

• The number of lanes within an running track varies, with the most common being from six to eight.
• This type of track is recommended for specific tasks, such as high-intensity series, speed races, and running technique exercises.
• The track will be composed of two parallel straights and two identical curves of equal radius.
• The distance of the race is measured from the edge of the starting line furthest from the finish line to the edge of the finish line closest to the start.
• The throwing areas of running tracks have an impulse zone delimited by a circle made of an iron band, the diameter of which varies depending on the discipline.

Origin

The origin of the running track arose along with the Olympic Games that were held in the ancient age in 776 B.C., when a cook named Koroibos won the stadium race, a 600-foot-long foot race. There are also literary and archeological reviews that tell us that the games existed in Olympia in the tenth or ninth century. a. C.

History

In 1849, the British army created a series of competitions for the London arsenal at Woolwich. In 1850 a silver bugle was offered as a prize to the winner and it was Captain Wilmot who won the 1850 edition, and that same year the first running track was created in England.

Parts

The parts of an running track are:

• Racing area: a circular track with at least four lanes, a straight line with six lanes for fence races and the starting and finishing
• The jumping area: this area includes the area for the long jump with the corridor and the fall pit, the installation for the triple jump, for the high jump and for the pole vault.
• The competition area for throwing: area used for throwing discus, hammer, javelin and weight.
• The Standard Court of 400 meters must have a zone that is free of obstacles in the interior and that measures at least 1,00 m. of width and should also have in its external part another zone free of obstacles that measures also at least 1,00 m. of width.

Dimensions and shape

The running track must have a length of not less than 4000 meters. With respect to the width that the track must have, it must not have a width less than 7.32 meters and must be bounded on the inside by a cord made of cement or wood with a width not exceeding 5 centimeters.

When the track is grass, the edges must be marked with flags placed at intervals of 5 meters. For international competitions the track must have at least six lifts and if possible eight.

Running track materials

Definitely, the best tracks are those that are made of synthetic material, this because these materials have a great capacity to absorb the force that is applied in each of the strides made by athletes, while facilitating the subsequent impulse of them. The material they are made of must be placed on a very stable surface in order to minimize the risk of falls and injuries.

Some tracks are also made of asphalt such as the first layer, followed by an elastomer layer and finally, a granulated layer is applied to help prevent slipping.

How many lanes does an running track have?

An running track must have eight lanes each measuring 1.22 meters wide. Generally, the first lane is the smallest, measuring 400 meters, and as we separate from the center, 7.5 meters of length are added to each lane.

Running track events

The races that take place in an running track are the following:

• Speed races: where short distances ranging from 60, 100, 200 or 400 meters flat are run.
• Fence races: in this race fences are placed or barriers that must be jumped by the competitor.
• Relay races: in which competitors relieve each other in order to complete the course.
• Obstacle races: the distances run are 2,000 and 3,000 meters and the obstacles are fences and a water pit 70 cm deep.
• Race Walk: usually 50 km for men and 20 km for women.
• High jump: consists of jumping a ribbon by means of a vertical jump, preceded by an impulse race.

How to make one

The design of the track depends on the uses for which it is to be built. If it is to be designed exclusively for athletics, the “circular” track may be permanently installed. For a multipurpose track, it is possible to use detachable tracks or tracks with mechanical or hydraulic systems.

The track will be installed in an area dedicated to athletics and if it is permanent has the advantage that it can be placed on a solid base, the pavement is usually concrete.