Palmer Park Leisure Centre & Stadium is the perfect place for those looking to take their first steps into athletics or take training up a level.
Providing all athletic equipment to deliver events including high jump, pole vault, long / triple jump, hammer throw and shot putt. The track is over looked by a 780 seated stand to accommodate school and official events.
Everybody is welcome on to our tracks to have a run round during our casual sessions.
Drop in sessions
Palmer Park Leisure Centre and Stadium offer casual athletic track usage throughout the day and where possible the evenings. Equipment such as long jump rakes and high jump beds and available to use. We do not provide throwing equipment.
Track hire
The athletics track is available to hire. This includes:
- The track
- Stadium seating
- Officials box
- Tannoy if required
- Marquees
For availability and cost please email us:
Prices
Casual Athletics:
| Adult | £6.80 |
| Junior | £3.50 |
| Adult Resident | £4.60 |
| Members | Included |
For clubs prices please visit their respective pages.
Athletics Clubs
Palmer Park Leisure Centre and Stadium is home to multiple clubs which use the facility on a regular basis. These include Reading Athletics Club which caters for many ages training across Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The club welcomes all abilities and can provide coaches specialising in all events.
Another club calling Palmer Park Leisure Centre home is Reading Road Runners. Not only a training group but a social group they train Wednesdays and Fridays at the centre.
During the holidays, the centre hosts various camps which are currently externally run, but feel free to pop into centre to find out more!
For more information please see the clubs websites:
TRACK & FIELD SAFETY ETIQUETTE
To ensure you and other users are safe, please adhere to our safety rules and etiquette when using the tracks and infield. Non compliance may result in termination of your session
1. Under 16s need to be actively supervised by a competent adult or coach
2. Always run in an anticlockwise direction
3. Always look left and right before crossing the track (treat the track as a road)
4. Be respectful of other athletes. Always warm up and train within the correct lane, relevant to your chosen discipline and training speed
5.No standing or idling is permitted on the track. Move to the outside lane and leave the track immediately at the conclusion of your activity
6. If you’re approaching someone at speed, alert them of your presence by calling out “track” - always provide plenty of warning and space when passing
7. The grass in-field area (Throwing and Jumping areas) is out of bounds, apart from where an Athlete is training under the supervision of a qualified Athletics coach. Never cross the in-field as a short cut
8. Athletics equipment is only permitted to be used under the supervision of a qualified coach. Coaches are responsible for setting up equipment and undertaking pre-use inspections
9. Throws must only take place in the dedicated areas (i.e. hammer throws in a hammer cage)
10. Please return and secure equipment back in storage after use
11. Spectators must remain outside the track perimeter whilst sessions are in progress
12. Do not store personal belongings within the track perimeter
13. Earphones and mobile devices are not to be used whilst using the track or taking part in field activities
All rules are based on England Athletics code of practice for training and competition.
Coaches and clubs are advised take to out appropriate insurance cover, in relation to the activities they are overseeing. GLL accepts no responsibility for the damage, loss or failure of any Athletics Equipment; nor any injury arising out of its use.