Cinder track

For the multi-use path in England, see The Cinder Track.

A cinder track is a type of race track, generally purposed for track and field or horse racing, whose surface is composed of cinders. For running tracks, many cinder surfaces have been replaced by all-weather synthetic surfaces, which provide greater durability and more consistent results, and are less stressful on runners. The impact on performance as a result of differing track surfaces is a topic often raised when comparing athletes from different eras.^[1][2]

Equipment used for putting chalk lines on a cinder track.

Billy Mills winning the 10,000 metres at the 1964 Summer Olympics, the last Olympics to be held on a cinder track

Synthetic tracks emerged in the late 1960s; the 1964 Olympics were the last to use a cinder track.^[3]

The Little 500 bicycle race at Indiana University is still run annually on a cinder track.