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REKORTAN - 2020 YEAR IN REVIEW NEWS & STORIES TRADITIONAL & FAST TRACK SYSTEMS 28% OF WORLD ATHLETICS CERTIFIED TRACKS ARE POLYTAN/REKORTAN SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 WORLD ATHLETICS CERTIFICATIONS MAINTAIN STANDARDS & INTEGRITY Athletics is a sport of milliseconds and millimeters, with the results compared around the world. Records therefore only count on certified tracks; the sport must be sure that everyone is competing on an even and fair surface. Tracks are always big projects and can be huge – for the SEA Games the stadium track was over 14,000m2. 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. 28% (the most) of all World Athletics certified tracks are from Sport Group. Sport Group's Rekortan and Polytan, with 50 years' experience, are the market leaders in track surfacing. See bottom of page for certification numbers from key manufacturers. 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. Venues, from Melbourne to Manchester, trust us to deliver certified tracks for them. However, before the track… …the base construction must be right. As track systems are only 13-15mm, the asphalt layer is crucial to the flatness of the track. We therefore supervise all the works to ensure that everything built before us 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. We did this recently in Manchester (UK) to ensure this track received a Class 1. In some markets, such as Australia and New Zealand, we do the full design and construction. WORLD ATHLETICS CLASS 1 AND CLASS 2 CERTIFICATIONS World Athletics certifies 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! 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. continued | 37 |

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