Photo courtesy Vlad Vasnetsov on Pexels. com
Photo courtesy Lukas Hartmann on Pexels. com of Robert Cohen Co., LLC Sport Surfaces Distributing, Inc. in Bernalillo, New Mexico.“ Once weeds and grass become established, they embed themselves into the asphalt and become impossible to eliminate. Regular application of a spray herbicide at least annually, and also as weeds appear, will add years to the life of the track.”
Wear caused by gates that sag and drag across the surface. Inspect regularly and repair all gateways that lead into the track area.
Runners grinding debris into the surface. A leaf blower can help remove dirt, sand, gravel, twigs or anything else that might accidentally be brought into the track area on users’ shoes. Matting or grates near the entrances can assist with removal of debris from shoes.
Use of incorrect footwear. Running shoes, such as those made for jogging, will not damage the track surface. If athletes want to wear spikes on the track, however, only the pyramid type should be allowed. Shoes with sharp spikes( either pin spikes or Christmas tree spikes) can damage the track surface and cause premature wear; that damage may not be covered by the manufacturer’ s warranty.
34 SportsField Management | March 2026 sportsfieldmanagementonline. com