New athletics track opens at Palmer Park

Palmer Park Leisure Centre & Stadium now has a brand new athletics track. Reading Council and their partner company GLL spent £500,000 to build it.

Future Olympic athletes from Reading and Team GB can now train on this high-quality track.

What makes it special

The new track uses a special surface called Polytan Rekortan PUR system. This surface is designed to help athletes run faster and last for many years.

The builders replaced the entire old track, starting from the stone base underneath. This means the track meets all the strict rules set by England Athletics for top-level competitions.

How it helps athletes

The new surface has several benefits:

• Better water drainage
• Smoother and flatter running surface
• Consistent rebound and impact absorption
• Helps prevent injuries and reduces stress on joints

Smart technology

The track has special Polytan SMART technology built in. This includes timing gates that are part of the track surface itself.

Athletes can check their performance in real time as they train. This helps them use data to improve their training and see exactly how they're doing.

Good for the environment

The council and GLL care about the environment. The new track uses eco-friendly materials that support their goal to be climate-positive.

The track should last for 30 years, which means it will benefit both top athletes and the wider Reading community.

Who uses the track

Palmer Park's athletics track is home to Reading Athletics Club and Reading Roadrunners, plus other groups.

These clubs have 35 athletes who get support from the GLL Sport Foundation for 2025-26. The clubs have a strong history of helping athletes reach the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Team GB.

Councillor Adele Barnett-Ward, Lead Member for Leisure and Culture, said:

“This latest investment in the Palmer Park track reflects our shared commitment with GLL to enhance and safeguard Reading’s leisure facilities for future generations and is a fantastic addition to our town’s leisure offering and part of a broader vision to make Reading a top destination for sport and wellbeing. This investment reflects our commitment to ensuring every resident can enjoy high-quality, accessible leisure facilities. We’re proud to support facilities that serve everyone, from elite athletes to families and community groups. The new track will support both grassroots and competitive sport, and I’m thrilled that its first major event will be one that celebrates inclusivity and community spirit.”

The first major event to take place on the new track will be the Festival of Inclusivity on Saturday 13 September, a celebration of sport and community. Organised in partnership with Sport Together Berkshire CIC and GLL, the event will feature a wide range of inclusive activities, including athletics delivered by Reading Athletics Club.