UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM – ATHLETICS TRACK INSTALLATION

McArdle Sport Tec were thrilled to be chosen by the University of Birmingham after a competitive tendering process to build a prestigious athletics track.

Built to international training standards, the porous Stobitan track has been finished in a stunning deep red. The 400m eight lane oval running track installation includes floodlighting and throwing and jump facilities with a 7000m² natural grass infield.

The University, currently ranked in the top ten for sport in the UK, pride themselves on nurturing and encouraging talented new athletes to study at the campus. One such pupil is Sarah McDonald currently representing Team GB in the 1,500m at the World Athletics Championships, held in London. The elite sporting facilities attract worldwide Olympic teams, including the Track and Field Jamaican Olympic team, who trained on the track and facilities in preparation for the 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships.

Director of sport at the University, Zena Wooldridge OBE, commented:

“We are fortunate to have such a superb new athletics track on a magnificent leafy site. Athletics is a key sport for the University and it will make a huge difference to our athletes training to have such a fantastic track so close to the main campus. I hope our student athletes and the young athletes from BRATS and local schools will be inspired by the new track and its Jamaican inauguration, and we look forward to seeing more of our own stars of the future training here.”

The athletics track was built within an overgrown woodland, which has been leased from the School of King Edward V situated on the edge of the campus. The new facilities will be home to not only the University but King Edwards School, King Edwards VI high school for girls, and other athletics clubs.

Simon Hedges, Contracts Manager, commented:

“A considerable amount of work was undertaken to clear the original site and prepare the foundations. However it was a brilliant opportunity to be involved with this project, as athletics tracks, especially to this standard and specification, are rarely constructed in the UK. Our project team worked endlessly to ensure that the track was completed in time for the Olympic Jamaican team to train on site prior to the IAAF World Championships; we are extremely honoured to be involved in this project.”

Have a look at our ‘Athletics Tracks’ page for more information on Porous Tracks.

University of Birmingham press release: www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/