Champion runners such as Carl Lewis, Florence Griffith-Joyner and Usain Bolt owe their success, in part, to understanding the differences in the composition of running tracks. Although the rubber running tracks are more popular, the wooden track is also a common surface in stadiums and sports complexes around the world.
Beginnings
Wooden running tracks, also known as board tracks, date to the early decades of the 1900s. The wooden running track started as a simple structure and evolved over time. Wooden running tracks, not suited to withstand weather fluctuations, are used indoors. On casual inspection, you may not recognize the difference between a wooden and rubber track because wooden tracks often include a rubber layer. The rubber layer helps absorb the impact of runners. Indoor tracks in the northeastern United States are home to more wooden running tracks than other parts of the country.
Original Purpose
The wooden running track originally served motorcycles rather than foot racers. The American Automobile Association introduced running tracks in 1910. The AAA raced on wooden running tracks, drawing as many as 25,000 spectators at a single event. The oval is not the only geometric shape associated with running tracks. In the first Olympics in 1896, racers at the event ran on a rectangular track. The first wooden track, however, featured the familiar oval shape.
Length
The shape of wooden and other running tracks has not remained constant. In the 1904 Olympics, the 200-meter race took place on a straight track. In the 1970s, the running track was modified and the official units of measurement were converted to the metric system to conform to international standards. Prior to this modification, Americans were not too willing to change their stance on using yards and feet. The International Association of Athletics Federation eventually approved the 400-meter oval shape and six or eight lanes for all surfaces.
Running Speed
The indoor running track at Harvard University was built to Goldilocks standards -- not too hard and not too soft -- with the aim of increasing runners' speeds by 2 to 3 percent. The track, first used in 1977, includes wood topped by polyurethane. Both Harvard runners and athletes from competing schools improved their times. Harvard runners improved their speed by 2.91 percent during the 1977-78 season.
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