Social Responsibility | Corporate

Acting as an organization with the awareness of social responsibility, we contribute to the development of society by supporting various social responsibility projects. We place importance to social benefit and strive for a more livable world through the projects we carry out in the fields of education, sports, environment and culture.

Belgrat Forest Fıratpen Running Trail

6200 meters long Neşet Suyu Running and Walking Trail located in Belgrat Forest has been improved in 2010 by Fıratpen aiming at the health of the athletes. Also appreciated by the Turkish Athletics Federation, our efforts continue to contribute to bring of new athletes to Turkish Athletics.

Renovated under the guidance of an expert team with the aim of providing the most suitable conditions for athletes, our running trail is shown among the exemplary and pioneering works in this field. The trail, which has been renovated using brick dust is appreciated by the athletes since it has a durable soil structure and special texture, with features such as flexibility, slipperiness and conducting the electricity in the body to the ground, which no artificial synthetic ground can offer.

Preparations before starting the soil improvement works

Rain water drainage and cleaning of trackside ditches were completed at 70 critical points on the trail. Thus, possible rain damages to the trail that can occur during high precipitation periods are prevented substantially.
Two bridges on the trail which were about to lose their load bearing properties due to aging were constructed again.
The other two bridges were reinforced, maintained and repaired to make them more durable.
Borders were established on both sides of the trail using wooden railway sleepers to keep the materials installed on the trail surface together.

Why were railroad sleepers preferred?

It is a natural material,
Prevention of chopping trees since it is a recycled material,
Ability to attune to the environment in a short time and
They have a long lifespan.

Naturally washed and ground stone dust was laid on the bottom of the trail which was taken under control and geotextile felt was laid for a length of 6200 meters right on top of it to absorb impacts and to keep the material together. The top layer was made of a mixture of brick dust and brick granule which is made of natural materials and baked at 800 degrees Celsius.

Neşet Suyu Trail with more 40% of which was not suitable for healthy running and walking with large (rock) materials protruding above the ground due to erosion, with an uneven surface due to water washout, has now been restored using a natural brick dust and granule surface which ensures athletes' health.

The reasons for international authorities prefer brick dust are listed below

Health

100% natural brick dust offers the flexibility, slippage features and ability to transmit the body electricity to soil unlike any artificial synthetic ground coating.
Brick dust coated surfaces prevent damaging muscles and body fatigue by providing a specific amount flexion.
Since artificial and synthetic ground coatings are not conductive they do not transmit the energy built up in the human body to soil and cause electricity accumulation in the athlete's body up to 8000 volts. Death incidents occurring in mini football fields which dangerously strain the athlete's heart is a very well known fact by the medicine science.
The bones are less affected thanks to the flexibility of the ground on surfaces paved with brick dust in the event of a fall thus minimizing the incidents of fracture and dislocation.
Injuries and scars do not occur on the skin and sporting equipment is not damaged since brick dust does not contain sharp constituents.
Physical exercises for a healthier life shall not threaten human health. Harms caused by artificial pitches become apparent later just like the harms of smoking.

Surface

It does not tear, scratch, rot and fade out due to sunlight unlike synthetic sports fields.
It is not affected by cigarette butts, burning and tearing effects of glass fragments unlike synthetic fields.

Texture

Color of the fields coated with brick dust addresses the human soul with colorfastness and durability features. Also, it is a material that best integrates with the green environment.

Opinions of Mehmet Terzi, Then President of Turkish Athletic Federation

As İstanbul Provincial Directorate for Environment and Forests, we appreciate your efforts for improving the walking and running trail in Belgrat Forest which was carried out under your sponsorship.

We also appreciate the usage of brick dust as one of the healthiest ground coating systems for the athletes in renovation of the trail. As we know, before integration of synthetic surfaces which provide faster competitions to the world of athleticism, official competitions were mainly held on natural tracks with surfaces made of brick dust. The new improved trail is a gain for citizens who walk/run for a healthier life and especially performance-oriented athletes who will take part in traditional Atatürk Run organized under your sponsorship.

We would like to thank to your company and all those who contributed to creating such a healthy trail for sport and for this long-term support to athletics.