Rekortan Gel GT by Polytan was a finalist in the Sustainability category at this year’s SAPCA Awards.
The innovative system – a non-porous athletics track surface made using renewable raw materials – was also declared the winner of this year’s Product category.
Certified by World Athletics for high-performance athletics at the competitive level, the gel-based PU technology provides optimal, stable shock absorption, enabling high acceleration, even at extreme temperatures. Thanks to the gel properties of the material, which is added in-situ, any irregularities are levelled out during installation, resulting in a completely level running track surface. The tested covering layer, which consists of a self-levelling PU coating interspersed with EPDM granules, guarantees high spike resistance and excellent colour stability. Green Technology and high performance are no longer mutually exclusive.
The first full track installation in the UK using the new product was at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth. Covering a 7-lane, 400m track, the innovative surface was made of 60% renewable materials.
By replacing traditional styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) granules with a renewable bio-based gel, the Rekortan Gel GT system saved over 50 tonnes of SBR, significantly reducing the environmental impact whilst delivering a high-quality performance track for athletes.
The installation process of the Rekortan Gel GT system also contributes to its sustainability. Its fully poured, self-levelling application reduced construction time by two weeks compared to conventional methods, which in turn lowered the carbon emissions associated with machinery and site operations.
In addition to the environmental advantages, the new track also features Polytan’s SMART timing gates, a cutting-edge performance diagnostic system which captures precise data like speed, distances, and split times, a technological innovation. The state-of-the-art technology provides athletes with precise insights to elevate their training and performance.
During installation, permanent magnets were embedded within the track, the SMART system requires no maintenance and enhances athletes’ training experience by providing immediate, accurate performance feedback.
Polytan said: “Victory Stadium’s revolutionary new athletics track is the first of its kind in the UK, marking a significant advancement in reducing environmental impacts when compared to traditional athletics track surfaces.”