New Running Track in Newtown

Some of New Zealand's top athletes will be putting Newtown Park's new running track through its paces at the twilight Capital Classic track and field meet this Friday.

The official opening of the track is being held in conjunction with the Capital Classic, one of Athletics New Zealand's national Grand Prix Series.

The Council has been making repairs to the track over recent years, but in September closed Newtown Park so the entire track could be replaced. We believe we now have a world-class facility. The project has cost about $1.3 million.

Contractors had to peel back the old surface to its concrete base, repair the base and then grind it perfectly smooth before laying a new running surface called Spurtan, made of layers of bitumen and rubber chips. They have also laid artificial turf between the track and fence.

With the next nearest all-weather tracks in Palmerston North and Masterton, athletes have been anticipating the opening. Capital Classic Track Meet Director Tony Rogers is expecting around 250 entries for the event, which will include sprints, middle distance and field events along with the New Zealand 3,000m championships for men and women.