TRACKMARK QUALITY ASSURANCE SCHEME
The UK Athletics (UKA) TrackMark accreditation scheme is the national quality assurance programme for indoor & outdoor track and field athletics facilities across the United Kingdom.
Developed and managed by UK Athletics, TrackMark provides a consistent framework for assessing the quality, safety and operational management of athletics facilities, ensuring that venues meet the standards required to support participation, training and licensed competition.
TrackMark reflects UK Athletics’ commitment to maintaining high-quality athletics infrastructure and promoting safe, accessible and sustainable facilities for athletes, clubs, coaches, officials and event organisers. The scheme is applicable to both *indoor and outdoor track and field venues of all sizes and ownership models, providing a nationally recognised benchmark for facility standards and management.
*Indoor accreditation will be introduced for the 2028/29 indoor season.
The accreditation process is delivered through a structured, web-based assessment that covers four main areas known as “Units”:
- Unit 1 – Track: Assessment of the athletics track, including layout, dimensions, surface condition and compliance with UK Athletics standards.
- Unit 2 – Field: Inspection of field event facilities, including jumps, throws, landing areas, safety equipment and accessibility provision.
- Unit 5 – Sports Lighting (where applicable): Assessment of sports lighting installations to confirm their suitability for athletics activity and competition.
- Unit 6 – Competition: Verification of facility measurements and associated surveys required to support the licensing of higher level competitions (Level 2 and above).
Units 1 (Track) and 2 (Field) comprise the core elements of the TrackMark accreditation scheme, while Units 5 (Sports Lighting) and 6 (Competition) apply where facilities seek accreditation for activity “under lights” or the hosting of higher-level licensed competitions (UKA Level 2 and World Athletics events).
Through TrackMark, UK Athletics provides facility operators with an independent assessment against nationally recognised standards, helping them to identify maintenance priorities, demonstrate effective management practices, and plan future investment.
Accreditation gives athletes, clubs and competition providers confidence that facilities have been assessed against UK Athletics’ requirements for safety, quality and operational performance.
TrackMark also supports the wider competition licensing process by providing assurance that accredited facilities meet the infrastructure standards necessary to host UK Athletics licensed events. In doing so, the scheme contributes to the long term sustainability of the UK’s athletics estate, encouraging consistent maintenance, extending the lifespan of facilities and supporting the continued growth and development of athletics across the country.
As the national governing body for athletics, UK Athletics continues to develop and enhance the TrackMark scheme to ensure it remains aligned with evolving facility standards, operational best practice and the needs of the sport.
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