I’m often asked what the lifespan of a running track is? Most people who ask this question really only consider the synthetic surface, but there are other more important key components to consider when estimating the maximum running track longevity and overlooking them will severely compromise your investment. Here are 4 variables that will greatly affect the lifespan question:
1. Meets all 4 Critical Components = Will last 20‐30 years.
If the substructure, that is the drainage, stone‐base and laser‐controlled asphalt, is properly designed and constructed and a high-quality sealed polyurethane synthetic surface is properly installed, an athletic running track can last for 20 to 30 years with proper maintenance and resurfacing.2. Quality Surface + Poor Substructure = FAILURE
If the substructure has been designed and/or constructed poorly, no matter how high quality the surface you choose or how well it is installed, the athletic running track will fail prematurely‐ possibly in the first few years, resulting in cracking, settling, bubbling, or worse.3. Quality Substructure + Poor Surface = FAILURE
If the running track surface has been poorly installed but the substructure has been designed and constructed well, the track surface will fail prematurely and possibly as soon as the first few years.4. Maximizing Running Track Longevity
The key point fundamental to maximizing the running track longevity is ensuring that the substructure be properly designed and constructed and a high‐end, sealed polyurethane system must be installed properly.5. Other variables to consider
Other variables that come into play are climate, maintenance practices of the school, UV degradation, freeze‐thaw cycles, and poor quality construction, all of which will greatly reduce the longevity of a running track to a few years before problems arise. If well built, running track longevity could be 2‐3 decades with timely, proper maintenance, and resurfacing.
