How to Maintain Athletic Running Tracks
Table of Contents
Athletic tracks are durable. With regular maintenance, their service life can be significantly extended.
The following points should be noted during daily use and maintenance.
Daily Use and Maintenance Guidelines
Initial Curing Period
After the athletic track is installed, it requires a curing period of 7-10 days before it can be used.
Suitable Conditions
The athletic track is suitable for all-weather use when equipped with proper drainage facilities. The track is designed for athlete training, competitions, student sports, and fitness activities, and should not be used for other purposes.
Usage Standards
Avoid contamination from harmful substances and severe mechanical impact or friction;
Vehicles are prohibited from driving on the track;
Heavy objects and sharp items must not be placed on the surface;
Athletes must wear specialized sports shoes or running shoes;
Spike shoes for jumping events should not exceed 12mm in length, regular sports shoe spikes should not exceed 9mm.
Edge Protection
Special attention should be paid to protecting the edges of the athletic track. Do not lift or pry the edges arbitrarily. If curb damage or bubbling is discovered, notify the construction contractor immediately for repairs to prevent more severe damage.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Keep the athletic track clean by washing it frequently with water. After washing, residual water on the rubber surface can be wiped off with a dry cloth. If the athletic track becomes stained with oil, it can be cleaned using 10% ammonia solution, detergent, or washing powder.
Construction Technical Guidelines
Moisture Protection
Polyurethane athletic materials are most vulnerable to water during the construction process. Before initial curing, even a single drop of water contacting the adhesive will create large bubbles. Therefore, construction workers should prepare towels to wipe away sweat when working in high-temperature conditions. When laying the rubber surface, weather conditions must be monitored and emergency measures taken to prevent sudden rainfall.
Optimal Construction Timing
Adhesive application should avoid early morning hours when atmospheric and ground humidity levels are high. Even on clear, normal working days, it is generally best to begin official athletic track installation after 9:00 AM.
Thickness Control
The actual laying thickness of the rubber surface refers to the center measurement from the rubber base to the surface of the rubber particles. This is generally controlled through two approaches:
Pre-checking thickness dimensions using standing molds, and trimming or tamping down locally elevated areas of the base layer
For minor elevations, using a flat scraper with fixtures to scrape material off the mold to ensure proper thickness.
Base Layer Treatment
To prevent localized blistering and delamination after rubber surface installation, base layer density must be strictly controlled to prevent the asphalt base from becoming loose, delaminated, or separated, which would result in poor adhesion, surface gasification, and rubber surface failure.Areas with insufficient base layer density can be reinforced using drilling and adhesive injection (rubber nail) methods.
Flatness Control
To ensure proper flatness and slope, after nailing the mold strips, use a level for simulated correction. Individual high spots in the base layer should be leveled first, while low spots should be filled with adhesive.
Contamination Treatment
Base sections contaminated and corroded by diesel fuel should be completely excavated and filled with adhesive.
Conclusion
Proper maintenance and construction of athletic tracks require careful attention to detail and adherence to professional standards. By following these comprehensive guidelines, facility managers and construction teams can ensure optimal track performance, athlete safety, and long-term durability. Regular maintenance not only preserves the track’s appearance and functionality but also maximizes return on investment by extending the facility’s service life.
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How to Maintain Athletic Running Tracks
Athletic tracks are durable. With regular maintenance, their service life can be significantly extended.
The following points should be noted during daily use and maintenance.
International Standards for Athletic Track Construction
As the core facility of competitive sports, the construction standards of athletic track are directly related to the performance of athletes’ competitive level and the fairness of competition.
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