Athletics
High acceleration, optimal cushioning – Polytan surfaces set the standard in elite sport. Whether in Olympic stadiums or at Diamond League events, our Rekortan surfaces deliver top performance and outstanding running dynamics.
For Maximum Acceleration – Our Sports Surfaces for Major Stadiums
Since the Olympic Games in 1968, all major athletics events worldwide have been held exclusively on synthetic running tracks, commonly known as tartan tracks. However, Tartan is not a generic term for the surface itself, but a brand name that has become widely adopted in everyday language.
Their popularity is driven by outstanding performance characteristics such as maximum acceleration, optimum force reduction and long-term durability. Polytan offers a range of PU-based synthetic surfaces for athletics facilities, available as both impermeable full-pour systems and permeable textured systems, including sandwich constructions. Each system is engineered to meet the sport-specific functional requirements of different disciplines. In addition, climatic conditions at the installation site play an important role in selecting the most suitable track system.
All Polytan synthetic surfaces can be certified in accordance with World Athletics standards for use in international competitions. While the classic brick-red surface remains a popular choice, there is growing demand for UV-stable colours in bold, expressive shades – such as the iconic Hertha Blue used at Olympiastadion Berlin.
Application areas for tartan surfaces
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:
- Competition and training tracks for professional stadiums
- School and recreational sports facilities for versatile use
- Training facilities for middle- and long-distance running
- Multi-purpose sports facilities for clubs and municipalities
- Sports flooring for indoor athletics arenas – including banked curves, sprint straights, long jump and high jump facilities
Advantages of synthetic running tracks
Modern synthetic running tracks (tartan tracks) offer numerous advantages compared to traditional cinder tracks:
- Modern track surfaces with a textured finish provide excellent slip resistance and can be used reliably even in wet conditions.
- Our athletics tracks are installed seamlessly and in situ, ensuring consistent sports performance characteristics across the entire surface.
- Our synthetic outdoor sports surfaces are spike-compatible, enabling sports facility operators and clubs to host competitions at the highest level.
This makes synthetic running tracks the ideal solution for modern athletics facilities with the highest demands on performance, safety and sustainability. While the initial investment is higher than for traditional surfaces, tartan tracks provide athletes with optimal conditions for peak performance while minimising the risk of injury.
Types of athletics facilities
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.
Competition facility Type A
High-performance surfaces delivering maximum performance for national and international competitions.
Competition facility Type B
High-performance synthetic track for regional and supra-regional events.
Competition facility Type C
Tartan surfaces for school sports and activities that are not geared toward high-performance sport.
Green game. Clean edge.
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 synthetic running 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.
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 – a well-known example is the Hertha blue of the track at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. The certified track surfaces guarantee the highest quality, safety and durability and offer optimal sport-functional properties for training and competition.
Products
Rekortan GEL GT
Rekortan PUR / PUR Indoor
Rekortan M / M Indoor
Tartan GOLD
Rekortan AS GT
Rekortan BS / B2S
Rekortan SES / SL
Re-Topping Systems
Artificial Turf Infills
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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Polytan SMART for Synthetic Turf
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The world's only smart flooring
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Certificates
World Athletics
Polytan running track surfaces are tested and certifiable according to World Athletics requirements.
RAL Quality Monitoring PU
Our Polytan sports surfaces stand for consistent premium quality, ensured through continuous quality monitoring according to RAL standards and corresponding quality marks.
ISO 9001 Certification
Polytan GmbH is certified for sports facility construction with the internationally recognised ISO 9001 standard for quality management.
ISO 50001 Certification
Polytan GmbH is certified for sports facility construction according to the internationally recognised ISO 50001 standard for energy management.
ISO 14001 Certification
Polytan GmbH is certified for sports facility construction with the internationally recognised ISO 14001 standard for environmental management.
Partners
We work closely with our partners, always aiming to develop the best possible sports surfaces for our athletes. Our goal is to maximise the quality, innovation, and sustainability of our products. We achieve this through intensive collaboration with associations, clubs, institutions, and, of course, the athletes themselves.