MVP Track & Field Club President Bruce James, a World Athletics Level 1 Official, has given a positive technical assessment of the newly resurfaced National Stadium track following an official pre-handover inspection. James, who passed his officiating course with distinction in 2001, visited the facility on Wednesday, March 12, and again on Thursday, March 13, sharing his observations with Sportsmax.TV.
After conducting a detailed evaluation of the track, resurfaced by Rekortan, James confirmed that the markings and layout align with international standards.
“The good news is that all the markings are finished, and there is no more work to be done on the track,” James noted. “The great news is that new marks have been added, including start lines for the 60m, 70m, and 80m sprints, as well as hurdle markings for the 70m and 80m events. Additionally, enhancements such as the four-turn stagger, 4x200m exchange zones, and reinstated previous markings ensure the track is optimized for competition.”
One notable feature is the relocation of the 100m race to the backstretch, which provides an option, a change James believes is a “fantastic decision.” However, he highlighted that the start line for this backstretch race has only been marked for six of the eight lanes, and black finish-line marks near the 200m start have not yet been added.
While certain additions, such as a second horizontal jump runway and a new throw cage near the 200m start, were not within the initial scope of work, James believes they could be future considerations. He also noted that the black sections of the track may generate slightly more heat than the previous blue design, a factor high jumpers and pole vaulters will need to assess.
James also highlighted the precise colour-coded markings for various race distances and relays, ensuring clarity for officials and athletes:
110m Hurdles – Blue
100m Hurdles – Yellow
80m Hurdles – White
70m Hurdles – Red
400m Hurdles – Green
New start-lines were also introduced:
80m Start Line – White with "80"
70m Start Line – White with "70"
60m Start Line – White with "60"
50m Wind Gauge Location – Marked on the side of the track with "50"
The track also features enhancements for steeplechase and relay exchanges:
3000m Steeplechase Start Line – White curved line past Hurdle 10 of the 400m hurdles
2000m Steeplechase Start Line – White curved line a few meters past the green break line
4x200m Start Line – Red and white
4x200m Exchange Zones – Red hooks (final change same as 4x100m second exchange)
4x400m Start Line – Blue and white
4x400m Exchange Zones – Blue hooks
4x100m Start Line – White
4x100m Exchange Zones – Yellow hooks, aligning with the yellow portions of the track
Medley Relay Start Line – Blue and white (same as the 4x400m)
Medley Relay Exchange Zones –
1st: Same as 4x400m first exchange (blue hooks)
2nd: Starts at the broken blue line (20m before the 200m start) and ends 10m after the 200m start (noted by a broken blue line)
3rd: Same as the 4x400m third exchange
A Track Built for Speed and Safety
James’ review echoed the sentiments of Rekortan executives and Jamaica’s Minister of Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, who had congratulated the resurfacing team for completing the project ahead of schedule. The USD$350,000 project was led by Rekortan specialists, working in collaboration with Independence Park Limited (IPL).
Tim Jordan, Rekortan Vice President, confirmed the exceptional quality of the resurfaced track, while Doug Stone, another Rekortan VP, emphasized that the upgrades not only enhance performance but also improve safety by addressing previous structural issues beneath the surface.
“Your performance is going to be at a level as good as before or better. And I feel that you have a world-class running surface here,” Stone stated.
To clarify concerns about the track’s certification, Grand Slam Track Venue Director Don Lockerbie reassured that the National Stadium remains a Class 1-certified facility, meaning any records set on the track will be internationally recognized. It is noted that the track's Class 1 certification expires in July 2026. However, questions remain about whether that certification is valid considering that Rekortan has re-topped a Regupol-installed track.
“The track in its current condition is world-class, and it's going to perform beautifully,” Lockerbie stated. “The certification stands, and it won’t require reclassification for another five years.”
The resurfacing comes just in time for the Grand Slam Track Series, set to take place in Kingston from April 4-6, 2025. With elite sprinters, hurdlers, and middle-distance runners preparing to battle on the black, green, and gold track, expectations are high for fast times and thrilling performances.
The first major test of the newly resurfaced track will come at the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls’ Championships (Champs), set for March 25-29, 2025. The five-day event, Jamaica’s premier high school track and field competition, is expected to showcase the track’s speed and performance capabilities as the nation’s best young athletes compete for titles and records.