@sushiritto : The article notes that the new facilty at the University of Michigan includes a 200 meter competion track surrounded by a 300 meter, 3 lane, practice track.
The 300 meter track is less stressful on runners’ bodies. It would be unwise for a middle distance or long distance runner to continually train on a 200 meter track due to increased liklihood of stress related injury.
The article states that the outer lane can be raised by 10 degrees to increase speed & reduce stress. While it does increase speed for runners on the outer lane or two, trainers have written that the raised curves cause additional stress to the runner; that is way the hydraulics are only used during competitions.
Absolutely beautiful facility !
As an aside, Northwestern University just built a $260 million dollar glass enclosed football training facility on the beach of Lake Michigan on NU’s main campus in Evanston. Spectacular views.