Are all tracks built assuming there will be a curb?

Mark
Good question.
The simple answer is that some tracks are built (surveyed):
1. to have a curb (Kerb for our friends on the other side of the Pond). The measured lines for these are 30cm from the outer edge of the curb.
2. not to have a curb. Measured 20 cm from the outer edge of the inside lane. Which is the same measurement technique as lanes 2+.
3. And then there are some tracks built(surveyed) 30cm out and never have a curb!.....which of course is not acceptable.

All outdoor international level tracks have a curb. It's required for World Records. Also, nearly all college/university tracks are built/surveyed for a curb.

Most high school & middle school tracks are built without a curb. Curbs are expensive and can be difficult to maintain.

There is a simple way to determine if a track was measured to have or curb (or not):

Measure the distance in lane 2 from the common start to the 1 or 2 turn stagger (it's easier to do the 1 turn stagger - also used for the 800 meter start). Remember to measure 20 cm from the left hand line.
Then measure the same in lane 3.
If the stagger is the same between lanes 1 & 2 and 2 & 3, the track was measured without plans for a curb.
If the staggers are different, then the track was measured for a curb.

David,

Apparently some middle school and high school tracks are designed and built with the idea that they will have a curb. I measured one at a middle school close to where I live, and it is 398.12 meters (what it should be if there is a curb). And Pete measured one in Ohio (OH10005PR) that also came out to 398.12. There was never any curb on my middle school track.

But after reading your post I checked the length of the staggers on my track with Google Earth. Lane 1 stagger was only about 4cm shorter than the others. If the staggers were designed for a curb the difference should have been 31cm. When it warms up I'll go out there and measure them for real, but it looks like we might have a mixed bag on this track.

United States Tennis Court and Track Builders Association (USTC&TBA) is the trade association for track constructors in the USA.

You can learn a lot by surfing "USTC&TBA"

Thanks Pete.
I was able to find this:
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWeb..._0=no&accno=ED438689

This document seems to be mostly about materials to use and drainage, etc. But on page 209 it does state that the "measure line" is 20cm from the running side of the lane 1 line. And in case of the raised curb it is 30cm. That does kind of indicate that either one is an option when you build the track.

Mark,

It is dependent on the rules of the various sports governing organization (NHSF,NCAA, USATF, IAAF, or recreation/fitness) for which the owners plan to use the track.

Plus, the NCAAA, USATF, & IAAF have other rules for tracks that include: lane width, inclination, radius, markings, and more. A track built to the IAAF specs will be accepted by all other governing organizations.
The IAAF Facilites Manual has all of the specifications you or anyone would ever need:
(this is a link to their regulations page. The online manual is in two parts because of it's size).
http://www.iaaf.org/competitio...gulations/index.html