Readiness check

Will your track surface last or pond and peel?

A running track is a thin engineered surface, and it can only be as good as the base under it. Ponding, uneven wear, and early failure almost always trace to the base, the thickness, or the drainage, not the topping. Answer for how the track is actually built. This is general guidance; confirm with World Athletics, the manufacturer system, and the engineer. The score stays on your device; enter an email only if you want the track surfacing checklist sent over.

1. Is the base (asphalt or concrete) flat to a tight planarity tolerance before surfacing?Yes, base flatness verified to the toleranceRoughly flat, not measuredThe base is uneven

2. Is the asphalt base cured and sealed before the track system goes down?Yes, cured and sealed firstWe surface soon after pavingWe surface over a raw or wet base

3. Does the base drain with no ponding (slope or porous section, perimeter drains)?Yes, drains cleanly, no pondingSome low spots hold waterIt ponds after rain

4. Is the right system chosen for the use and budget (full-pour PU, sandwich, or latex)?Yes, system matched to use, climate, and budgetWe use whatever is cheapestNot a deliberate choice

5. Is the surface built to the specified thickness for the shock absorption?Yes, built and gauged to spec thicknessApproximatelyWe apply until it looks done

6. Is the line geometry surveyed and marked precisely (lanes, staggers, events)?Yes, surveyed and marked to the layoutMarked from old linesNo precise survey

7. Is the surfacing applied within the right weather window (temperature, humidity, dew point)?Yes, applied in the correct conditionsWe push it when behind scheduleWe surface regardless of weather

8. For competition, is the track certified and tested (shock, deformation, friction, thickness)?Yes, certified and tested where requiredTested informallyNo certification testing