Drainage problems dogged the launch of the track last year, but the start of the 2008 season sees the facility come into use. The facility is available for training and schools competitions. However it is still awaiting certification this summer so that club competitions can take place.

Young hopefuls for future Olympics are taking part in a whole range of activities - hurdles, shot put, javelin, discus, long jump, high jump, sprinting, long distance running and relay.

"Traditionally athletics training has been targeted at teenagers, but the Junior Athletics programme is aimed at getting school children between 7 -12-years-old interested in athletics," said Scott Daniel, Partnership Development Manager for Harlow Schools Sports Partnership.

New this year is a Secondary Schools Athletics League taking place every Wednesday involving schools from the Harlow and Loughton areas culminating with a West Essex Championships.

June Tulloch, Director of PE and Sport at Mark Hall said that working strategically and in partnership with stakeholders has enabled the new athletics facility to kick start the re-growth of Harlow Athletics Club and Harlow Running Club, and linking schools and clubs.

"All parties are working together to develop athletes, coaches and officials for the future and to ensure the long term and international map with the further development of the facilities as a training and competitive venue for all athletes (disabled and non-disabled alike) towards London 2012 and beyond," she said.

"In addition to the youth programmes, there are Back to Athletics initiatives, disability training programmes, and coaching and officials courses to engage all sectors of the community in the development of this sport. This open policy embraces the vision that all are able to participate and everyone's abilities are enhanced by the opportunities provided."

A Gateway spokesperson added: "This is the third element of the Harlow Gateway Project to reach fruition and it's good to see young people and athletes with disabilities, already taking advantage of the benefits. "

The project has already delivered the first in a series of new homes, a new football stadium, and now a new athletics track. As the steel skeleton for the new leisure centre takes shape alongside Harlow College you can see the physical signs of what the Gateway project is all about."

The track is available for use by all schools in Harlow and the community generally. As the base for Harlow Athletics Club, these new facilities will enable the club to grow, and develop athletes, coaches and officials for the future.