First GEL-based track in the UK sets new standards in sustainability and elite performance

HMS Temeraire, the Royal Navy’s hub for physical development in Portsmouth, completed a major upgrade in July 2024 with the installation of a Rekortan GEL GT athletics track—the first GEL-based system ever installed in the United Kingdom. This seven-lane, 400-meter track is part of a sports facility designed specifically to meet the rigorous demands of military training and now serves as a world-class environment for Royal Navy athletes. The project reflects the Navy’s continued commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and environmental responsibility.

Sustainable innovation meets elite athletic performance

Rekortan GEL GT represents a new generation of track surfacing where ecological intelligence and high-performance engineering go hand in hand. Its foundation layer incorporates over 60% renewable raw materials, made possible by Polytan’s pioneering Gel-based PU technology. The full PU poured system is impermeable and durable, providing performance attributes approved by World Athletics.

The GEL base is self-levelling, ensuring a smooth and consistent surface during installation, while the top layer—composed of a structured PU coating and spike-resistant EPDM granules—delivers reliable grip, colour stability, and resilience over time. Whether under extreme heat or long-term use, the track retains its cushioning and elasticity, enabling powerful acceleration and shock-absorption day in, day out.

This unique combination of performance and environmental responsibility has not gone unnoticed: in 2024, Rekortan GEL GT was named Product of the Year by the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA). The award reflects the system’s leadership in redefining what modern athletics surfaces can achieve, both on the track and for the planet.

A flagship for the future of athletics surfaces

This installation marks a significant leap forward in how the UK approaches sports infrastructure—especially in high-performance military settings. It not only enhances the training conditions for Royal Navy personnel but also demonstrates that eco-conscious engineering can stand side by side with world-class athletic performance.

With Rekortan GEL GT, HMS Temeraire now offers one of the most advanced and sustainable athletics tracks in Europe—fit for those who push the limits every day.

‍

‍