track and field is part of the sport of athletics. athletics is a collection of sport events that includes running, jumping and "throwing". track and field events take place in a sports stadium, either on the running track, or on the field inside the running track. these tracks are generally made up of synthetic rubber – rubber particles bound with latex or polyurethane. other athletics events that are not track and field, include cross country running, road running, marathon running, and race-walking - these events take place outside a sports stadium.