Tyson track dedicated as world?s fastest

FAYETTEVILLE – In a re-dedication ceremony Saturday during the 2011 Tyson Invitational, the Randal Tyson Track Center was recognized as "The Home of the Fastest Indoor Track in the World." The Randal Tyson Track Center is the home facility for the University of Arkansas men’s and women’s track and field teams, ranked No. 12 and No. 6 in the nation, respectively.

"The University of Arkansas is proud to be the home to what is widely regarded as the fastest indoor track in the world," Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. "Last fall, we worked with Mondo to re-enforce and re-surface the oval making the world’s best track even better. We look forward to many more record-breaking performances at the Randal Tyson Track Center."

In 2000, the Randal Tyson Track Center first opened on the University of Arkansas campus with the specially designed track, originally built by Mondo for the World Championships in Toronto, Canada. Since opening, the Razorbacks’ home facility has played host to several world-class indoor meets, including five SEC Championships and 10 NCAA Championships.

Widely regarded as the fastest indoor surface ever constructed, the Tyson track has been home to numerous world records, American records and an impressive 65 percent of all current NCAA Championship meet records. In keeping with the reputation, the Randal Tyson Track Center saw 36 NCAA automatic-qualifying marks among 28 student-athletes during this weekend’s Tyson Invitational.

Joining Long on the track for the presentation was Mondo area representative Kirk Sandifer and members of the Razorback track and field coaching staffs. Arkansas will increase its number of conference hosting duties to six with the 2011 SEC Championships to be held Feb. 25-27 at the Randal Tyson Track Center.