Data sources, freshness and limitations
Track Finder is designed to help people discover athletics tracks while preserving the difference between a recorded fact, an unknown value and a current real-world condition.
Where the records come from
Facility records are derived from OpenStreetMap contributors. Track Finder stores selected map attributes such as name, location, surface, lane count, access tags and amenities when they are present.
Coverage
Track Finder covers Finland today. A country is added only after its import passes two checks: a review of at least 50 sampled records in which at least 95% must be real running or athletics tracks, and a list of at least 10 known tracks of which at least 90% must be found. Searching outside a covered country finds nothing rather than a guess.
Athletics tracks and running tracks
The directory includes every mapped running track that passed the import, from stadium ovals to school loops and fitness trails. A track is labelled an athletics track when its source record is tagged for athletics, has a synthetic surface such as tartan, or records four or more lanes. Every other track is labelled a running track. An unlabelled athletics track is possible when its record lacks those details, so check the source when it matters.
What “not recorded” means
A missing surface, lane count or access value does not mean the facility lacks that feature. It means the source record did not provide a value that Track Finder could display. We do not infer missing details.
How facilities are named
When the source record has a name, Track Finder shows it as recorded. Most mapped tracks have no name, so Track Finder describes them from other recorded facts: the mapped facility the track sits in or next to, or the district and municipality whose administrative boundary contains it, for example “Running track, Kallio, Helsinki”. When two descriptions would match, recorded surface and lanes or the source feature reference tell them apart. These descriptions are labels, not official names, and each facility page says so.
Freshness and verification
Each facility page shows its latest stored observation date where available. Map records can become stale, and access, opening hours or track condition can change without notice. Follow the source link and confirm important details before travelling.
Corrections
Every facility page links to its OpenStreetMap record. Use “Edit on OpenStreetMap” to fix a detail yourself, or “Report a problem” to leave a note for local mappers when you cannot. Track Finder picks up source changes on the next reviewed import and does not edit facts outside OpenStreetMap.