Rekortan M RT and Polytan SMART at the Stade d'Athlétisme Philippidès, Montpellier

A fresh look and high-tech solution for an old track in Montpellier

Montpellier, located in the south of France, has evolved into an international metropolis over the centuries. It was named one of the 45 must-see cities in the world by the “New York Times,” a recognition owed primarily to its versatility. Not only is Montpellier one of the largest cities on the French Mediterranean coast, but its university is also among the most prestigious in the country. Sport has always played a significant role in Montpellier. Rugby ranks at the very top of popularity, with the Montpellier HRC as the flagship team playing in France's top division. The city’s handball and football teams are also first class. The home of the city’s track and field athletes is the Stade d'Athlétisme Philippidès, which accommodates all classic disciplines. Facilities include a 400 m athletics track with 8 lanes, integrated sprint lanes, and equipment for jumping and throwing events. The members of two local athletics clubs, the Montpellier Athletic Club and Montpellier Athletic Méditerranée Métropole, train here alongside athletes from the local university. In 2022, the running tracks underwent a re-topping process using our Rekortan M RT. In Polytan’s re-topping process, older and damaged surfaces are fully refurbished both technically and visually. In Montpellier, the track suffered from bumps and blisters. After our on-site team rectified dents and filled holes, the so-called topping was applied. According to Adrien Bachelet: "This is a mixture of two resins that form polyurethane. They are applied on the old surface." Granules are embedded in this coating, contributing to the new surface layer. Re-topping is a highly economical and sustainable solution for refurbishing sports facilities, as the elastic sub-base can remain in place and does not require disposal. Montpellier also opted for a color change, switching from red to sky blue. In addition to the refurbished surfaces, Polytan’s SMART system was installed—our highly precise solution for professional performance diagnostics. According to local media, this upgrade is the most significant addition to the Stade d'Athlétisme Philippidès. The Polytan SMART system consists of integrated timing gates—permanent and low-maintenance magnetic time gates securely embedded into the surface. It also includes a sensor weighing only 15 grams and the proven diagnostic software from Polytan’s partner Humotion. Recreational athletes can also use the free Smart Run by Humotion app in combination with their smartphones, which are worn in a running belt. The app provides immediate analysis of metrics such as distance, time, step count, and frequency. A total of 141 magnets were embedded in the track in Montpellier. SmarTracks Diagnostics enables highly precise measurement of numerous key performance parameters, such as speed, endurance, and strength. The diagnostic software analyzes and evaluates the results, helping athletes tailor their training for maximum performance. It creates a comprehensive athletic profile for each athlete. Polytan SMART can be integrated not only into new sports facilities but also retrofitted into existing ones. Once installed, it provides unrestricted and precise measurements independent of weather conditions and can accommodate multiple athletes simultaneously. In addition to running disciplines, the system in Montpellier can also measure approaches for long jumps or pole vaults. Our brand ambassador, Ludovic Besson, who trains at the Stade d'Athlétisme Philippidès, will also benefit from this high-tech solution. The decathlete won first place at the French U23 Combined Events Championships in Oyonnax in 2018. His ultimate goal is the Olympic Games in Paris. Naturally, we are rooting for him and are confident that Polytan SMART will assist him in reaching this goal.