In an example magnetic recording medium substrate, a plurality of recording tracks are formed on a substrate, each recording track being formed of a magnetic material. Non-recording sections are formed on the substrate, each non-recording section separating adjacent recording tracks. Each recording track includes a plurality of recording sections and connecting sections for connecting the recording sections adjacent thereto in a track longitudinal direction, and each connecting section has a cross-sectional area in a track width direction that is smaller than a cross-sectional area in a track width direction of adjacent recording sections.