Running Track

A running track is where various track and field events take place. Running tracks can be indoor or outdoors. Indoor tracks are part of the indoor racing season in winter, while outdoor running tracks fulfill the needs of runners running in the spring and summer. Running tracks dimensions vary depending upon whether it is located indoors or outdoors. What also differs is the surface of the two tracks and the number of lanes. There are also differentiations found among various inner tracks and several outdoor tracks.

The dimensions of a running track, indoors and not outdoors, are, typically, 200 meters. The most common number of lanes for an indoor track is six. Indoor running facts indicate, however, that there can be between three and eight lanes and there are both smaller and larger tracks. These variations from the standard running track size range from 120 to around 300 meters. The Indoor Fitness Track in the Canada Games Centre, for example, is 235 meters long. This contrasts with the outdoor track.

The running track sizes of outdoor facilities are sufficiently different from the indoor counterpart. Outdoor tracks are twice as big as the indoor running track. They are ovals of 400 meters in circumference. An older running track, however, is frequently longer at 440 m. Although usually oval, there are some variations due to geographical circumstances.

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An indoor running track, as pictures of a running track clearly indicates, has 6 to 10 running lanes. This formation may also include a steeplechase lane and a water pit. The modern track covering is of a synthetic rubberized surface. The original installing of running tracks, outdoors did not call for pavement or a shock-absorbing surface. The older surfaces, therefore, consist of either dirt or cinders. In pictures of running tracks, particularly those of older high school and college tracks reveal the tracks have this harder surface.

Those in charge of a running track installation indoors or outdoors must make sure the criteria are met for the various sports. Outdoor running tracks feature a playing field within the center of the oval. In other words, the track runs around a green space. Individuals use this area for playing football, soccer, field hockey and lacrosse.

Indoor and outdoor tracks serve a specific purpose. They train upcoming field and road runners. The running track size, in the end, is not as important as the use of the track. Whether it is midgets running the track or future track stars, running a track helps increase stamina and builds up racing capabilities. The great marathon runners of Grete Waitz, Rod Dixon, Frank shorter and Alberto Salazar all got their taste for running in track and field.