New £500,000 athletics track opens in Reading

A new athletics track has opened at Palmer Park Leisure Centre & Stadium in Reading. Funded by Reading Borough Council and its leisure partner, GLL, the new track replaces an ageing surface.

The £500,000 track features a Polytan Rekortan PUR system – supplied by SAPCA member, Polytan. The surface has been designed to provide a smoother and flatter running surface and a consistent rebound and impact absorption, which will both help runners achieve faster times as well as prevent injuries and reduce stress on joints.

“Rekortan PUR’s high abrasion resistance, due to embedded EPDM granules in the wear layer, means it is excellently suited for running shoes with spikes and has an especially long lifespan,” Polytan said.

“It is the ideal surface for records and international elite sports. Its special solid construction allows for optimal acceleration and performance.”

The new track also features Polytan SMART technology, a system which integrates precision timing gates directly into the track surface. This allows athletes to monitor performance in real time, enabling data-driven training and diagnostics. Palmer Park’s athletics track has been designed with longevity in mind and should last for 30 years. It is home to Reading Athletics Club and Reading Roadrunners, plus other groups.