Last updated October 2026
We build all-weather running tracks for primary and secondary schools across the UK, so pupils can run their daily mile on wet days without churning up the field. One installer publishes about £6,000 to £12,000 per 100 m of standard track, excluding VAT, with the surface and ground setting the price. Most schools book the build for a holiday. The PE and sport premium cannot fund one. Send a site plan with the route you have in mind, and we arrange a survey and quote.
The surface is the biggest price decision, so the table shows the published per m2 rates for each option beside the per-track figure.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Item | Price | Source | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard track, per 100 m | from about £6,000 to £12,000 | Abacus, May 2025 | Low (single source) |
| Wetpour surface | from about £40 to £140 per m2 | Redlynch Leisure, 2026 | Low |
| Bonded rubber mulch | £60.75 and £84.39 per m2 (two dated quotes) | Wickham Market Parish Council, 2022 | Medium |
| Artificial grass for play | £40 to £60 per m2 before the sub-base is prepared | Redlynch Leisure, 2026 | Low |
| SUDS-compliant bound surface | from about £60 to £100 per m2 (VAT basis not stated) | Abacus, May 2025 | Low |
How much does a daily mile track cost?
Plan on roughly £6,000 to £12,000 for every 100 m of standard track, on the one published installer figure we can find. A 250 m loop round a junior field would therefore sit at about £15,000 to £30,000 before VAT. Ground conditions, the width you choose, edging and how far the route is from a gate for lorries move the price within that range.
Which surface: wetpour, bonded mulch, artificial grass or SUDS bound?
Choose by budget, drainage and how the track will look in ten years. Wetpour gives a smooth, cushioned, colourful finish; bonded mulch looks natural on a woodland edge; artificial grass keeps a green field look; and a SUDS-compliant bound surface lets water through to the ground. Compare them side by side on wetpour and playground rubber mulch.
How it works
- 01Send a plan and photosThe site, the surface and the date it must reopen.
- 02We check the groundLevels and where the water drains.
- 03Written quoteBuilt around your reopening date.
How long should the track be for our site?
As long as your site allows on a safe, level route that a class can lap without crossing play areas. There is no fixed length: a shorter loop works as long as pupils can run laps of it. Mark your preferred route on a plan, and the survey checks levels, trees, drains and sight lines before the length is fixed.
Can PE and sport premium pay for it?
No. The gov.uk guidance says the premium must not fund capital expenditure and names “active mile tracks” as an example of capital. Schools usually fund tracks from capital budgets, parent associations or community grants. Our playground grants guide lists the options that can.
Marking a running loop onto existing tarmac is a cheaper first step, and school playground markings covers it.
Can the track go round an existing field?
Yes, that is the most common layout. The track is set into the ground at the edge of the field so mowers can run over the join and the field stays usable for sports day. Tree roots, drainage runs and the slope of the field are the things the survey checks first.
How long does installation take?
Your quote gives a time on site after the survey, because length, surface and ground set the programme. Most schools book the summer holiday so the field and the track are both ready for September. Tell us your dates when you enquire.
Is this the same as The Daily Mile?
No. The Daily Mile is a free initiative run by The Daily Mile Foundation, a registered charity, built on 15 minutes of daily activity outdoors with no equipment needed. Schools taking part do not need a track; some build one so running can carry on through wet months. We are not connected with the charity; we build the surface.
What’s included
- Survey of the route, levels, drainage and access
- A marked-up plan with the length and surface priced
- Excavation, base and edging as quoted
- Supply and laying of the chosen surface
- Reinstating the grass edge alongside the track
- A walk of the finished track with the school
What’s not included
- VAT, shown separately
- Lighting, seating or signage, unless listed
- Drainage faults found on excavation, priced before they are fixed
Illustrative example
From the table only, not a real school. A primary wants a 200 m loop. At about £6,000 to £12,000 per 100 m, the published rate gives roughly £12,000 to £24,000 before VAT. A cheaper surface or a shorter route lowers the figure; soft ground or a long carry from the gate raises it.
Who does the work
Play and Sport Surfaces is a WeDo Property Services service. Alex Winser plans your track with the school and runs it through to handover, and the surfacing teams dig, lay and edge it.
Often needed alongside
Tracks are often one zone in a wider school playground surfacing scheme. Schools wanting a full athletics facility should see running track construction. How schools buy and fund this work is on schools and academies.
FAQs
Can a track double as a cycle or scooter route?
Yes, if the surface and width suit wheels. Say so at enquiry.
Will the track flood?
A porous surface on a free-draining base sheds water; the survey checks your ground.
Can we add distance markers?
Yes, painted or inlaid markers can be priced on the quote.
Does the track need maintenance?
Light sweeping and keeping the grass edge trimmed; the quote lists any product care.
What do you need to quote a daily mile track?
A site plan with your preferred route, photos of the field and your holiday dates.
Sources
- Abacus, Daily mile track costs, surfaces and installation guide, May 2025
- Redlynch Leisure, Wet pour rubber, Sept 2026
- Redlynch Leisure, Artificial grass, May 2026
- Wickham Market Parish Council, Play area report, Aug 2022
- DfE, PE and sport premium guidance for primary schools, updated 24 Sept 2026
- The Daily Mile Foundation, The Daily Mile, read Oct 2026