The 2022 World Athletics Championship had no shortage of jaw-dropping performances. Seven world and national records were broken over the course of the 10-day competition – they included Noah Lyles’ 200m victory in a Bolt-like time of 19.31, Tobi Amusan’s first world title and massive 0.3 second personal best in the 100m hurdles, and Sydney McLaughlin’s dominating gold medal performance in the 400m hurdles.
Canadians also were in on the action: Marco Arop made a 1:44 half-mile look smooth, Pierce Lepage ran faster in the 400m and the 110mH than ever before, and Canada’s 4x100m team set a national record on route to world glory.
Track and Field bests and records are going down for a multitude of reasons, one of them being an improvement in track material technology. Competitors at Hayward Field ran on a synthetic all-weather track made by Beynon Sport Surfaces, which boasts a top-of-the-line Polyurethane surface allowing for superior energy return. The company has completed thousands of these installations across the globe, including at The Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, the host venue of the Commonwealth Games.
Beynon Director of Marketing Iannick Di Sanza says seeing athletes better their best marks makes worthwhile all the hard work that goes behind building the perfect track.
“The 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon earned its spot as one of the greatest events in history, followed by stellar performances at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games,” he said. “Our teams, crews, and partners take great pride in their work. It’s a fantastic testament to their unwavering dedication to quality and the customer to be trusted by these venues.”
Beynon’s products have also made their way into Canada, with the help of its Canadian distributor Playteck Enterprise. Together, they are the official suppliers of track systems for Athletics Canada.
“Athletics Canada is proud of our partnership with Beynon, the world-leading track surface,” said Mathieu Gentès, Athletics Canada Chief Executive Officer. “Whether Canadian athletes are setting records and winning medals at major games, or the next generation is earning their marks at domestic competitions, we can always count on Beynon allowing our athletes to put their best foot forward. Athletics Canada’s strategic plan to 2028 includes a push to support much needed facility development across Canada, the partnership with Playteck and Beynon is crucial in achieving this objective.”
Several key 2022 championships were hosted on Beynon tracks. The Irving Oil Fieldhouse in Saint John is surfaced with their material, as is the Canada Games Park Track at Brock University, the host venue of the 2022 Canada Games in Niagara. The Canada Summer Games track features Beynon’s BSS 1000 system, the same material used at the Commonwealth Games. It is the company’s most popular system and delivers optimal shock absorbency and superior energy return.
“You can genuinely feel the excitement and passion surrounding the competitions; we think it’s at an all-time high,” continues Di Sanza. “We’re confident that these recent events will help propel the sport of track and field for future generations of athletes.”
As the competition season continues, Di Sanza says he looks forward to seeing Beynon tracks continue to play a role in advancing the sport he loves.
“Athletics is a wonderful and accessible sport for athletes of all ages. Unlike other athletic facilities that can be more exclusive to certain demographics, we truly believe that a running track helps benefit the entire community.
