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- Category: Flooring
- DATE: March 24, 2026
Understanding the Different Types of Track Surfaces
No matter the athletic activity, the right competitive surface makes a huge difference. Just as you wouldn’t want to play basketball on a hockey rink, track and fields require the right surface to ensure athletes perform at their highest levels with minimal risk of injury. Running tracks have to provide the proper levels of traction, shock absorption, and comfort. That’s to say nothing of other considerations, such as the materials’ resistance to excessive wear and exposure to the elements, sustainability, and aesthetics. In short, athletic facilities have a lot on their minds as they prepare to build or upgrade a track.
Because the choice can have significant effects on how well a new track performs, it’s critical for facilities managers and owners to understand the various types of track surfaces and what they have to offer. Each of these running track surfaces comes with its own distinct pros and cons depending on the needs of the facility and athletic program, and it’s necessary to know what those are before making any decisions.
Natural Running Track Surfaces
The oldest and most traditional running surfaces still in use today are clay, grass, and cinder, which is a pulverized volcanic rock. These materials typically were used because they provided a relatively soft surface for runners to minimize joint damage while still offering sufficient traction. Although these types of tracks are also reasonably affordable to build, they do come with some downsides.
First and foremost, natural track surfaces can become muddy or waterlogged after rainfall. This means facilities that install them have to be prepared for the possibility that events may need to be rescheduled due to weather. Another mark against them is that they require much more upkeep than other types. For example, the lanes require frequent remarking because the lines may fade or be washed away by water. They also need filler material added frequently, or else holes and uneven spots can form, increasing the risk of injury.
Asphalt-Bound Track Surfaces
In the middle of the 20th century, advancements in surfacing systems brought about all-weather tracks made from asphalt combined with sand or ground-up rubber bits. The asphalt serves to bind all the materials together and keep them from being worn away by activity or weather. This made such tracks popular, as they didn’t require the same level of attention and maintenance as those made with natural surfaces.
However, these materials have fallen out of favor in modern athletic facilities for several reasons. While they are typically less expensive upfront than modern synthetic systems, the materials have some significant limitations. Asphalt changes in consistency depending on temperature, which means they soften under the summer sun and become harder as the weather gets colder. With time, asphalt also becomes harder, meaning asphalt-bound tracks absorb less impact the longer they exist, which puts more stress on runners’ joints and can become more rigid and prone to cracking over time.
Modern Synthetic Track Surfaces
Synthetic rubber is by far the most commonly used surface material for running tracks today, thanks to its versatility, performance, and comfort level. Made from rubber bound with polyurethane or latex, these tracks are soft enough to protect runners’ joints and durable enough to require minimal maintenance compared to traditional surfaces. Many athletes also prefer these materials because their ability to absorb and return energy helps support improved athletic performance.
In addition, these synthetic track materials are exceptionally long-lasting when properly maintained and can be further extended with resurfacing. Unlike natural materials, these tracks can be manufactured with long-lasting colors and lane markings, allowing for branding and striping that remains visible over time.
Choosing the Right Track Surface
Because modern rubberized track surfaces offer so much compared to their traditional alternatives, they are the most popular choice for installation in athletic facilities of all kinds. They are durable in harsh weather conditions and easy to maintain, making them a good choice for both outdoor and indoor use. In terms of how they perform for the athletes who use them, their springy consistency reduces discomfort and helps protect joints from damage. It also adds a small boost to athletes’ ability to run faster and jump higher than they would be able to on other surfaces. Combined with the many customization options available, it’s easy to see why so many facilities today choose synthetic materials for track surfaces over other options.
Let H2I Group Help You Enhance Your Athletic Facility
With more than 100 years of experience as a specialty subcontractor, H2I Group has delivered countless successful projects for athletic facilities. We leverage our expertise along with our strong relationships with leading manufacturers to help create spaces that meet the needs of modern athletic programs, schools, universities, professional sports teams, and more.
Our design-build approach means we can get involved in a project early, helping the client select the right materials and elements that will provide the best possible results in the finished facility. Whether you’re building from the ground up or upgrading an existing space, you can count on H2I Group to be there with advanced, eco-friendly track surfaces that deliver the performance you and athletes need to be at your best. To learn more about everything we can do, reach out and speak with a member of our team today.
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