High acceleration, optimal cushioning – Polytan tartan surfaces set the standard in elite sport. Whether in Olympic stadiums or at Diamond League events, our elastic track surfaces deliver top performance and outstanding running dynamics.
Our synthetic running tracks, commonly known as tartan tracks, meet the demanding requirements of World Athletics, EN 14877 and DIN 18035-6 as well as the RAL-GZ 943 quality standards. This makes the surfaces suitable for both international competition facilities and school and recreational sports facilities. Since the Olympic Games in 1968, all major athletics meetings worldwide have been held exclusively on elastic synthetic surfaces, and tartan surfaces have been firmly established in elite sport ever since. This is due to their outstanding sport-functional properties such as maximum acceleration and optimum force reduction. Polytan's portfolio includes elastic synthetic surfaces for athletics, training and small school sports facilities – both as impermeable full-pour systems and as permeable textured systems. Each system is engineered to meet specific sport-functional requirements, and local climatic conditions also play a role in choosing the right outdoor surface.
In addition to the classic brick red, the tartan tracks are available in numerous UV-resistant colours. When it comes to the colour design of modern athletics tracks on the sports field, the trend is increasingly toward intense, vibrant shades. The certified track surfaces guarantee the highest quality, safety and durability and offer optimal sport-functional properties for training and competition.
Synthetic running tracks are used across a wide range of athletics facilities. Thanks to their seamless, durable and spike-resistant surface, they are ideally suited to intensive use in both competitive and recreational sport. An overview of their key application areas:
Modern synthetic running tracks (tartan tracks) offer numerous advantages compared to traditional cinder tracks:
This makes synthetic running tracks the ideal solution for modern athletics facilities with the highest demands on performance and safety.
Athletics facilities are usually combined with large playing fields and multi-purpose sports areas. Depending on the intended use and performance level, different types of athletics tracks are required.
Type A, Type B and Type C athletics facilities generally feature a 400 m oval track and can be combined with large playing fields, smaller sports areas and multi-purpose facilities. These areas are typically surfaced with artificial turf, synthetic surfacing or natural grass.
High-performance surfaces delivering maximum performance for national and international competitions.
High-performance synthetic track for regional and supra-regional events.
Tartan surfaces for school sports and activities that are not geared toward high-performance sport.
The sustainable solution for modern sports facilities: this innovative construction element made from recycled artificial turf is ideal for edging and separating different sports surfaces. It combines high stability with long-lasting durability while supporting a circular approach to sports facility construction.
Our brands are as diverse as the people who play sport. A suitable solution for every requirement – always focused on the best possible surface for our athletes.
All references
Following the comprehensive refurbishment of the Schänzle outdoor sports facility in Constance, the city now benefits from a modern, publicly accessible sports complex that meets the requirements of school sports, club sports and recreational use alike. Centrally located within the Schänzle sports area, the athletics facility in Constance offers ideal conditions for training, competition and physical activity in an urban environment. The project was planned by Eberhard Landscape Architects from Constance, who structured the site with a clear focus on functionality, user needs and design quality.
As part of the refurbishment, the existing sports surfaces were completely renewed and equipped with high-performance, durable synthetic surfaces by Polytan. The running track was constructed using the premium Rekortan M track system in Chillirot, providing optimal force reduction, excellent traction and high durability. The synthetic running track therefore meets the requirements of modern athletics facilities and is suitable for both intensive training and school sports.
To clearly define the functional areas of the site, additional segments were installed using Rekortan AS GT in Resedagrün. The water-permeable multisport surface ensures consistent running characteristics and long-term safety under varying weather conditions.
The technical athletics facilities were also specifically modernised as part of the sports ground refurbishment in Constance.
The javelin runway was surfaced with Rekortan AS GT in Chillirot, while the long jump runway was finished in Rekortan AS GT in Sky Blue. The differentiated colour design improves orientation across the facility and supports safe, regulation-compliant use of the individual discipline areas.
Another key element of the project is the newly designed basketball court at the Schänzle outdoor sports facility. Here, the robust and low-maintenance PolyPlay S 20 in Sky Blue was installed. The seamless, water-permeable synthetic surface for basketball courts offers high slip resistance, excellent ball rebound characteristics and comfortable shock absorption, making it ideal for intensive use in public spaces.
With the successful refurbishment of the Schänzle sports ground in Constance, a future-oriented multisport facility has been created that combines functionality, safety and high-quality design. The installed Polytan sports surfaces stand for durable, sustainable solutions and underline the City of Constance’s commitment to high-quality sports infrastructure.
In Quimper, France, the athletics facility at the Cité sportive de Penvillers has undergone extensive modernisation. The project forms part of the redevelopment of the entire sports complex in the Kerfeunteun district and represents a key component of the region’s sporting infrastructure. The aim of the project was to create a modern athletics facility with a high-performance track that meets the demands of both daily training and regional and national competitions.
As part of the refurbishment, a Rekortan M athletics track featuring SMART technology was installed. The construction works and installation of the synthetic track were carried out by our partner, Pigeon TP.
Rekortan M is a genuine high-speed synthetic surface for athletics tracks, developed specifically for top-level sporting performance. The combination of an elastic base layer and a solid construction not only ensures high speeds but also provides optimal conditions for performance-oriented athletes.
In addition, SMART technology has been integrated into selected areas of the facility. It is located in the two inner lanes of the circular track, on lanes 5 and 6 of the 100-metre straight, and on one lane of the long jump run-up. The technology enables the digital recording of training performance and opens up new possibilities for athletes to analyse and optimise their performance.
A particular design highlight of this athletics track is the colour scheme, which combines two shades of blue. The main surface of the track has been finished in Capri Blue, whilst Sky Blue has been used as an accent colour. This differentiation not only serves a design purpose but also aids orientation within the facility. For example, the areas for the various throwing disciplines are highlighted in colour, creating a clear visual distinction between the functional zones.
The facility also offers a striking aerial view: the circular track appears in Capri Blue, whilst the two straight sections feature the lettering ‘Kemper’ and ‘Quimper’, integrated into the surface in Sky Blue.
The inspiration for this design lies in the regional culture of Brittany. The town traditionally bears two names: alongside the French name Quimper, there is also the Breton name Kemper. The name Kemper means ‘confluence’ and refers to the town’s geographical location at the meeting point of the rivers Odet and Steïr.
The integration of both names into the design of the running track thus combines regional identity with modern sports architecture. An interesting cultural aspect is that in many towns in Brittany, Breton place names are increasingly being reintroduced in public spaces to highlight regional language and tradition. The design of the athletics track in Quimper reflects this trend in a distinctive way.
With the new facility, the Cité sportive de Penvillers now offers a modern, high-performance athletics infrastructure for both clubs – such as Quimper Athlétisme – and nearby schools, providing optimal conditions for training, school sports and competitions.
Products
Depending on the sport and desired playing characteristics, artificial turf systems can be equipped with different typesof infill. We offer systems filled with quartz sand; sand and elastic infill granules; or sand and cork/ other natural materials. The infill ensures an authentic playing experience, grip and traction for quick tempo and directional changes, clean ball-rolling behaviour, and high player protection.
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