General Professional, Humanitarian and Natural Scinces

Panathenaic Stadium | Athens, Greece

The only stadium in the world to be built entirely of marble, the site of this Athenian track dates back to 330 BC. It was home to the opening and closing ceremonies of the first modern Olympic games in 1896, with presentations held on its 204.07 metre long straightaways and unusually short turns of only 33.35 metres. Today, it marks the finishing point for the annual Athens Marathon.

PANATHENAIC STADIUM

Michael Johnson Track at the Nike campus | Oregon, USA

At the Nike world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, this track is named after former 200m and 400m world record holder Michael Johnson. It wraps around a forest of tall western conifers and is the training ground of some all-time greats. To the west of the track stands an impressive bronze statue of its namesake athlete.

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

OSAKA AIR TRACK

MICHAEL JOHNSON TRACK

Brigham Young University | Utah, USA

Track and field remains a highly competitive sport across the United States, and one track that runs circles around other educational institutes sits in Utah’s Brigham Young University. Overlooked by a stunning mountain scape, the bright blue track is calling out for athletic accomplishment.

Osaka Air Track | Osaka, Japan

It’s on the roof of a shopping mall where you’ll find Osaka’s premiere 300m track built with community at front of mind. Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Group called on locals to find out what they needed most in the new facility, and the result was a mall that prioritized health and fitness. The fact that it also offers sprawling views over Osaka’s great urban landscape is a major bonus.

ITEN

Iten | Kenya

In a small town in the Kenyan highlands, Iten is the centre of the country’s middle- and long-distance running scene. What its high-altitude (2,400 metres) training ground lacks in remarkable, technically-accomplished design is made up for in its atmosphere. From David Rudisha to Lornah Kiplagat, few places can boast quite so many top international athletes.

Chamonix | France

This legendary ski resort just north of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, is also abuzz with keen trail runners looking to take advantage of its challenging climbs. This track in the heart of the commune makes for a seriously epic run for those looking to challenge themselves on flatter ground though, with glacial peaks dominating the scenery on all sides.

CHAMONIX