track
Content
y Track and field in the United States is governed by USA Track and Field. There are a variety of events in track and field. The three main categories of events include running, jumping and throwing. There are also walking events, and combined events (i.e. decathlon). Most of the events in track and field are individual events, but some, such as the relay races, are done in teams. Not every event is offered at every meet.
Running Events
y Running events are one of the main group of events in track and field. Sprints are held both indoors (50, 60 meters) and outdoors (100, 200 and 400 meters) . The 800 meters and the 1500, along with the mile, are middle distances, and the 5,000 and 10,000 meters are long distances. The 100 (for women), 110 and 400 meters are classic hurdles events. The longest running distance in the Olympic program is the marathon, 42,195 kilometres (26.2 miles). Track and field also includes race walking, 10 km, 20 km and 50 km.
Relays
y Relays are completed in teams of four runners. Each runner will sprint a certain distance and pass the baton to the next runner. For example, in a 4x100 relay, each runner will sprint 100 meters. Classic relays are 4x100 meters and 4x400 meters.
Hurdles
y Hurdle events are races in which the runners jump over hurdles. Hurdle races are typically 100 meters (for women) 110 meters (for men) and 400 meters (men and women). According to the USA Track and field hurdles range in height from 30 inches to 39 inches tall. The steeple chase events are on longer distances, with 3000 meters being the Olympic and World Championships distance for both men and women
Track and field, also referred to as athletics, is a combination of sporting events involving competitions pertaining to running, throwing and jumping. Some of the prominent events in track and field are sprint, long distance running, hurdles, relay, javelin throw, shot put, discus throw, high jump, long jump, pole vault etc. Track and field competitions also include multiple event competitions such as Pentathlon, Heptathlon and Decathlon. Track and Field Rules and Regulations Track and field rules followed at the international level are devised by the International Association of Athletic Federation, the premier governing body for athletics. Not only the contestants, but the officials are equally committed to follow the rules with proper discipline. According to the guidelines set by IAAF track and field, competitions should be held on facilities with synthetic surface, passing the specifications stated the IAAF Track Facilities Testing Protocols. As far as the age is concerned, 31st of December of every particular year, in which the competitions are held, is assumed to be the benchmark for athlete's age calculation. The athlete should not wear any objectionable clothes. Clothes which are transparent, or which would become transparent if they get wet in rain, should not be worn. In most of the competitions, the bibs provided to the athletes, should be worn on the chest as well as back. In
javelin throw and pole vault though, only one bib can be worn either on the chest or back. Shoes worn in the competition must pass the IAAF guidelines. The shoes used by the participating athlete should not give him any unfair advantage over the other athletes. The number of spikes in the sole of the shoes should not exceed 11. The size of spikes used in running events should not exceed 9mm, while in javelin throw and high jump, the same should not exceed 12 mm. General Rules about Track and Field Events In running events, the athlete is warned for the first foul start, repeating the same error will call for a disqualification. Lane discipline is of utmost importance in track and field, changing lanes will be deemed as obstructing fellow athlete, which will call for immediate disqualification. In relay, the baton must be passed within the 20m exchange zone, trying to pass on the baton after crossing this distance is viewed as a foul. In hurdles, the athlete has to clear all the hurdles with clear crossover. Knocking down any hurdle in effort of crossing over, or as a deliberate attempt, can lead to disqualification according to track and field rules. In high jump and pole vault each athlete is given three chances to clear the hurdle. Failure to clear the hurdle is viewed as a foul, and three such fouls automatically lead to disqualification. In long jump and triple jump, overstepping on the take-off board is regarded as a foul. As in the case of a high jump, three fouls in long jump or triple jumps lead to automatic disqualification. The same process is adopted in various throwing competitions like discuss throw, javelin throw, shot put and hammer throw, wherein overstepping the demarcated area is considered to be a foul. Disqualification and Protest Rules According to the track and field rules, winning time or the intermediate time is either announced by the officials, or displayed on the official electronic display board. Conveying the time to athletes by any individual in person is strictly prohibited. Medical assistance will be only provided by medical staff, appointed by the organizing committee, any medical assistance in the competition area by the athletes' trainer or support team will be deemed as disturbance to the competition. An athlete can be immediately disqualified for infringement of technical rules or any unsporting behavior on the field. The technical delegates appointed by the organizing committee will be in charge of entertaining protests, if any. Protests about illegalities in participation of any athlete should be done before the commencement of the particular sporting event. Protests regarding the results of a particular sporting event, should be made within 30 minutes of the end of the event. A mistake can land you out of the competition, and can even lead to severe penalization. Therefore, it's wise to understand the general rules about track and field, and more importantly practice them in your training sessions. After all competitions are about opportunities, once lost you may never get another again, so be prepared.
Rules for track and field events are designed to keep participants safe and secure while racing. While track and field events may have complex rules and rule books, basic events such as sprinting and long distance running have only a few key rules that must be followed by all participants. Failure to follow the basic rules of track and field can result in an automatic disqualification. Basic Start and Finish Rules Track and field start and finish rules are designed to give spectators as well as competitors a clear indication of when a race has started and finished. For sprinters and distance runners, each racer gets an
individual starting lane. While some lanes are staggered to compensate for additional circumference found on the track, short sprints have racers line up at the same point on the track. A starting line is clearly marked and cannot be crossed till a starter gun goes off. A false start can only happen once. If a racer double faults he is disqualified from the race. The finish line is often marked by a line on the ground as well as a piece of ribbon or tape. The racer who crosses the finish line first is the winner. Basic Relay Race Rules Basic relay race rules require racers to use one type of baton during their races. As a result, no grip tape or foreign material can appear on the baton to give racers an unfair advantage during the race. Failure to abide by these rules will often result in immediate disqualification. Another relay race rule involves the way in which racers receive the baton from other racers. If you drop the baton, you can pick it up and continue on during your race. However, if you grab the baton from a racer at an unsanctioned point on the race track, your team will be disqualified. Basic Shot Put Rules Shot put is a track and field event that requires you to push a heavy metal ball as far as you can away from your body. The distance is recorded and measured against other contestants. If you are a man, your shot put ball must weight 16 lbs. If you are a female contestant, your ball must weight 8.8 lbs. To legally put the ball, you must place the ball against your neck and push it away from your body using your hand. Competitors stand in a circle with a 7-foot radius that cannot be crossed while putting the shot put. If a player crosses the line he will be disqualified from the match.
Official Rules of the Sport
The following information has been selected from the International Association of Athletic Federations Competition Rules 2006-2007, and is intended as a list of the basic rules of track athletics that might be of most use to the individual athlete competing in running events. Please refer to the Rulebook for more specific rules referring to track layouts, referees and other topics (see µResources¶ section below). Some abridged Rules of Athletic Competition of particular interest to Track events competitors, from the IAAF Competition Rules 2006-2007: Which athletes are eligible to compete? The following Rules determine athlete eligibility: RULE 20 Definition of Eligible Athlete 1. An athlete is eligible to compete if he agrees to abide by the Rules and has not been declared ineligible. RULE 22 Ineligibility for International and Domestic Competitions 1. The following persons may be
declared ineligible for competitions, whether held under these Rules or the domestic rules of a Member. Any person: (a) whose National Federation is currently suspended by the IAAF. (e) who contravenes the Anti-Doping Rules (see Chapter 3 below); (f) who has committed any act or made any statement either verbally or in writing, or has been responsible for any breaches of the Rules or other conduct which is considered to be insulting or improper or likely to bring the sport into disrepute; Which clothing and running equipment are allowed in competition? The following Rule applies to clothing, shoes and other equipment: RULE 143 Clothing, Shoes and Number Bibs Clothing 1. In all events athletes must wear clothing which is clean, and designed and worn so as not to be objectionable. The clothing must be made of a material which is non-transparent even if wet. The Victory Ceremony and any lap of honour are considered part of the competition for this purpose. Shoes 2. The purpose of shoes for competition is to give protection and stability to the feet and a firm grip on the ground. Such shoes, however, must not be constructed so as to give an athlete any unfair additional assistance. Under which circumstances could an athlete be disqualified? The following Rule defines disqualification: RULE 145 Disqualification 1. If an athlete is disqualified in an event for an infringement of the Technical Rules, reference shall be made in the official results to the Rule which has been infringed. Disqualification from an event for an infringement of the Technical Rules shall not prevent an athlete from taking part in any further event in that competition. 2. If an athlete is disqualified from an event for acting in an unsporting or improper manner, reference shall be made in the official results giving reasons for such disqualification. How should races be run? The following Rules apply to starting, running and finishing races: RULE 161 Starting Blocks 1. Starting blocks shall be used for all races up to and including 400m (including the first leg of the 4x200m and 4x400m) and shall not be used for any other race. When in position on the track, no part of the starting block shall overlap the start line or extend into another lane. RULE 162 The Start 1. The start of a race shall be denoted by a white line 5cm wide. In all races not run in lanes the start line shall be curved, so that all the athletes start the same distance from the finish. Stations in events at all distances shall be numbered from left to right, facing the direction of running.
2. All races shall be started by the report of the Starter's gun or approved starting apparatus fired upwards after he has ascertained that athletes are steady and in the correct starting position. 3. At all International Competitions, except as noted below, the commands of the Starter in his own language, in English or in French shall, in races up to and including 400m (including 4x200m and 4x400m), be "On your marks" and "Set". When all athletes are "Set", the gun shall be fired, or approved starting apparatus activated. An athlete shall not touch either the start line or the ground in front of it with his hands or his feet when on his marks. False start 6. An athlete, after assuming a full and final set position, shall not commence his starting motion until after receiving the report of the gun, or approved starting apparatus. If, in the judgement of the Starter or Recallers, he does so any earlier, it shall be deemed a false start. It shall also be deemed a false start if, in the judgement of the Starter: (a) an athlete fails to comply with the commands "on your marks" or "set" as appropriate after a reasonable time. (b) an athlete after the command "on your marks" disturbs other athletes in the race through sound or otherwise. 7. Any athlete making a false start shall be warned. RULE 163 The Race 1. The direction of running shall be left-hand inside. The lanes shall be numbered with the lefthand inside lane numbered 1. Obstruction 2. Any competing athlete who jostles or obstructs another athlete, so as to impede his progress, shall be liable to disqualification from that event. Running in Lanes 3. In all races run in lanes, each athlete shall keep within his allocated lane from start to finish. This shall also apply to any portion of a race run in lanes 4. If an athlete is pushed or forced by another person to run outside his lane, and if no material advantage is gained, the athlete shall not be disqualified. 6. An athlete, after voluntarily leaving the track, shall not be allowed to continue in the race. CheckMarks 7. Except when all or the first portion of a relay race is being run in lanes, athletes may not make check-marks or place objects on or alongside the running track for their assistance. RULE 164 The Finish 1. The finish of a race shall be denoted by a white line 5cm wide. 3. The athletes shall be placed in the order in which any part of their bodies (i.e. torso, as distinguished from the head, neck, arms, legs, hands or feet) reaches the vertical plane of the nearer edge of the finish line as defined above. How is a tie resolved? The following Rule applies to ties: RULE 167 Ties Ties shall be resolved as follows: In determining whether there has been a tie in any round for a qualifying position for the next round based on time, the Chief Photo Finish Judge shall consider the actual time recorded by the athletes to 1/1000th of a second. If it is thus determined that there has been a tie, the tying athletes shall be placed in the next round or, if that is not practicable, lots shall be drawn to
determine who shall be placed in the next round. In the case of a tie for first place in any final, the Referee is empowered to decide whether it is practicable to arrange for the athletes so tying to compete again. If he decides it is not, the result will stand. Ties in other placings shall remain. How should Relay races be run? The following Rule applies to Relay races: RULE 170 Relay Races 2. Each take-over zone shall be 20m long of which the scratch line is the centre. The zones shall start and finish at the edges of the zone lines nearest the start line in the running direction. 4. The take-over zones for the second and last take-overs (4x400m) will be the 10m lines either side of the start/finish line. 12. The baton shall be a smooth hollow tube, circular in section, made of wood, metal or any other rigid material in one piece, the length of which shall be 28 to 30cm. The circumference shall be 12 to 13cm and it shall not weigh less than 50gm. It should be coloured so as to be easily visible during the race. 13. The baton shall be carried by hand throughout the race. Athletes are not permitted to wear gloves or to place substances on their hands in order to obtain a better grip of the baton. If dropped, it shall be recovered by the athlete who dropped it. He may leave his lane to retrieve the baton provided that, by doing so, he does not lessen the distance to be covered. Provided this procedure is adopted and no other athlete is impeded, dropping the baton shall not result in disqualification. 14. In all relay races, the baton shall be passed within the take-over zone. The passing of the baton commences when it is first touched by the receiving runner and is completed the moment it is in the hand of only the receiving runner. Passing of the baton outside the take-over zone shall result in disqualification. 15. Athletes, before receiving and/or after handing over the baton, should keep in their lanes or zones, in this last case until the course is clear to avoid obstruction to other athletes. If an athlete wilfully impedes a member of another team by running out of position or lane at the finish of his stage, his team shall be disqualified. 16. Assistance by pushing or by any other method shall result in disqualification.
Running in Athletics
Modern Track and Road Events by distance and type Running events are divided by distance into sprints (short-distance), middle-distance, longdistance and road events, as well as by type, which includes hurdles and relays or team races. Sprints
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100 metres.
This is the shortest sprint distance. Due to its fast, explosive nature it is favoured by the media and viewing public. It was included in the very first Games of 1896, although only for men. The women¶s event was first included in the 1928 Games, Amsterdam. Each competitor keeps to his/her own lane.
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200 metres.
It is the modern version of the ancient or 200-stride stadium race (see above). The 200m race follows the same rules as the 100m, and many athletes compete in both. The men's event was included in the second Olympic Games, at Paris in 1900. The women's event made its first appearance in the London Games of 1948.
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400 metres.
It can be considered the modern equivalent of the or double foot-race. It was included in the first Games of 1896 in the men¶s version, while the women¶s event was first run in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Middle-distance
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800 metres.
Athletes running the 800m race use a combination of tactics to utilise speed and endurance to their advantage. It spans two laps of the stadium. It was one of the original events in the 1896 Games for men, while the women¶s 800m was first run in 1960 in Rome.
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1500 metres.
Middle-distance runners frequently compete in both the 1500m and the 800m races. This event was included in the 1896 Games for the men. The women¶s 1500m was first included in the 1972 Olympics, Munich. Long-distance
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5000 metres.
This race could be considered the modern-day equivalent of the ancient , the 20 or 24 stadium lap race. It made its debut as an Olympic men¶s event in the 1912 Stockholm Games. A 3000m women¶s event was run at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, but today the men¶s and women¶s events are both 5000 metres long.
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10000 metres
It is the longest run held inside the stadium. For men, it was first included in the 1912 Stockholm Games, and for women it debuted at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Road events
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Marathon
The most famous of the long-distance races, the Marathon is always run on public roads and traditionally is the final event of the Olympic Games. In addition to the Olympic competition, most major cities hold Marathon races, and many, such as the London and the Boston Marathon are famous the world over. In these events, the general public and the media have a chance to admire some of the most accomplished professional athletes, such as Britain¶s Paula Radcliffe and Kenya¶s Martin Lel. These major Marathon races offer high prize money, with up to $500.000 (approximately £254.000) being awarded to the winners in both the men¶s and the women¶s races.
y
Half marathon
The half-marathon is a road race covering half the distance of a Marathon, or approximately 13 miles (21 kilometres). It is favoured by experienced amateurs, as it does not demand the high level of training of the full Marathon but is still a serious challenge. Hurdle races
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110 metres hurdles men; 100 metres hurdles women.
Each competitor must remain in his/her own lane and has to jump over ten hurdles. One of the original Olympic events for the men, the women¶s race debuted in the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
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400 metres hurdles.
Similar rules as the above event, the ten hurdles are lower. First run in the 1900 Paris Games in the men¶s case, while the women first competed at the Olympic level in the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
y
3000 metres steeplechase
The steeplechase, a men¶s only event, involves jumping four hurdles of 91.4 cm in height and an artificial water hazard Relays or team races Originally, relays were a way to get messages across long distances via a series of couriers, each covering part of the distance to the final destination intended for the message. In modern relays, a rod or baton takes the role of the message. Each team divides the race distance equally amongst its four runners, who pass the baton to each other in turn, according to precise rules and techniques. There are two versions of this team race:
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4 x 100 metres
The men¶s version debuted in the 1912 Stockholm Games, while the women¶s race was first run in 1928 Amsterdam
y
4 x 400 metres
The men¶s version debuted in the 1912 Stockholm Games, and the women¶s race was first run in 1972 Monaco.
Running Events
y Running events are one of the main group of events in track and field. Sprints are held both indoors (50, 60 meters) and outdoors (100, 200 and 400 meters) . The 800 meters and the 1500, along with the mile, are middle distances, and the 5,000 and 10,000 meters are long distances. The 100 (for women), 110 and 400 meters are classic hurdles events. The longest running distance in the Olympic program is the marathon, 42,195 kilometres (26.2 miles). Track and field also includes race walking, 10 km, 20 km and 50 km.
Relays
y Relays are completed in teams of four runners. Each runner will sprint a certain distance and pass the baton to the next runner. For example, in a 4x100 relay, each runner will sprint 100 meters. Classic relays are 4x100 meters and 4x400 meters.
Hurdles
y Hurdle events are races in which the runners jump over hurdles. Hurdle races are typically 100 meters (for women) 110 meters (for men) and 400 meters (men and women). According to the USA Track and field hurdles range in height from 30 inches to 39 inches tall. The steeple chase events are on longer distances, with 3000 meters being the Olympic and World Championships distance for both men and women
Track and field, also referred to as athletics, is a combination of sporting events involving competitions pertaining to running, throwing and jumping. Some of the prominent events in track and field are sprint, long distance running, hurdles, relay, javelin throw, shot put, discus throw, high jump, long jump, pole vault etc. Track and field competitions also include multiple event competitions such as Pentathlon, Heptathlon and Decathlon. Track and Field Rules and Regulations Track and field rules followed at the international level are devised by the International Association of Athletic Federation, the premier governing body for athletics. Not only the contestants, but the officials are equally committed to follow the rules with proper discipline. According to the guidelines set by IAAF track and field, competitions should be held on facilities with synthetic surface, passing the specifications stated the IAAF Track Facilities Testing Protocols. As far as the age is concerned, 31st of December of every particular year, in which the competitions are held, is assumed to be the benchmark for athlete's age calculation. The athlete should not wear any objectionable clothes. Clothes which are transparent, or which would become transparent if they get wet in rain, should not be worn. In most of the competitions, the bibs provided to the athletes, should be worn on the chest as well as back. In
javelin throw and pole vault though, only one bib can be worn either on the chest or back. Shoes worn in the competition must pass the IAAF guidelines. The shoes used by the participating athlete should not give him any unfair advantage over the other athletes. The number of spikes in the sole of the shoes should not exceed 11. The size of spikes used in running events should not exceed 9mm, while in javelin throw and high jump, the same should not exceed 12 mm. General Rules about Track and Field Events In running events, the athlete is warned for the first foul start, repeating the same error will call for a disqualification. Lane discipline is of utmost importance in track and field, changing lanes will be deemed as obstructing fellow athlete, which will call for immediate disqualification. In relay, the baton must be passed within the 20m exchange zone, trying to pass on the baton after crossing this distance is viewed as a foul. In hurdles, the athlete has to clear all the hurdles with clear crossover. Knocking down any hurdle in effort of crossing over, or as a deliberate attempt, can lead to disqualification according to track and field rules. In high jump and pole vault each athlete is given three chances to clear the hurdle. Failure to clear the hurdle is viewed as a foul, and three such fouls automatically lead to disqualification. In long jump and triple jump, overstepping on the take-off board is regarded as a foul. As in the case of a high jump, three fouls in long jump or triple jumps lead to automatic disqualification. The same process is adopted in various throwing competitions like discuss throw, javelin throw, shot put and hammer throw, wherein overstepping the demarcated area is considered to be a foul. Disqualification and Protest Rules According to the track and field rules, winning time or the intermediate time is either announced by the officials, or displayed on the official electronic display board. Conveying the time to athletes by any individual in person is strictly prohibited. Medical assistance will be only provided by medical staff, appointed by the organizing committee, any medical assistance in the competition area by the athletes' trainer or support team will be deemed as disturbance to the competition. An athlete can be immediately disqualified for infringement of technical rules or any unsporting behavior on the field. The technical delegates appointed by the organizing committee will be in charge of entertaining protests, if any. Protests about illegalities in participation of any athlete should be done before the commencement of the particular sporting event. Protests regarding the results of a particular sporting event, should be made within 30 minutes of the end of the event. A mistake can land you out of the competition, and can even lead to severe penalization. Therefore, it's wise to understand the general rules about track and field, and more importantly practice them in your training sessions. After all competitions are about opportunities, once lost you may never get another again, so be prepared.
Rules for track and field events are designed to keep participants safe and secure while racing. While track and field events may have complex rules and rule books, basic events such as sprinting and long distance running have only a few key rules that must be followed by all participants. Failure to follow the basic rules of track and field can result in an automatic disqualification. Basic Start and Finish Rules Track and field start and finish rules are designed to give spectators as well as competitors a clear indication of when a race has started and finished. For sprinters and distance runners, each racer gets an
individual starting lane. While some lanes are staggered to compensate for additional circumference found on the track, short sprints have racers line up at the same point on the track. A starting line is clearly marked and cannot be crossed till a starter gun goes off. A false start can only happen once. If a racer double faults he is disqualified from the race. The finish line is often marked by a line on the ground as well as a piece of ribbon or tape. The racer who crosses the finish line first is the winner. Basic Relay Race Rules Basic relay race rules require racers to use one type of baton during their races. As a result, no grip tape or foreign material can appear on the baton to give racers an unfair advantage during the race. Failure to abide by these rules will often result in immediate disqualification. Another relay race rule involves the way in which racers receive the baton from other racers. If you drop the baton, you can pick it up and continue on during your race. However, if you grab the baton from a racer at an unsanctioned point on the race track, your team will be disqualified. Basic Shot Put Rules Shot put is a track and field event that requires you to push a heavy metal ball as far as you can away from your body. The distance is recorded and measured against other contestants. If you are a man, your shot put ball must weight 16 lbs. If you are a female contestant, your ball must weight 8.8 lbs. To legally put the ball, you must place the ball against your neck and push it away from your body using your hand. Competitors stand in a circle with a 7-foot radius that cannot be crossed while putting the shot put. If a player crosses the line he will be disqualified from the match.
Official Rules of the Sport
The following information has been selected from the International Association of Athletic Federations Competition Rules 2006-2007, and is intended as a list of the basic rules of track athletics that might be of most use to the individual athlete competing in running events. Please refer to the Rulebook for more specific rules referring to track layouts, referees and other topics (see µResources¶ section below). Some abridged Rules of Athletic Competition of particular interest to Track events competitors, from the IAAF Competition Rules 2006-2007: Which athletes are eligible to compete? The following Rules determine athlete eligibility: RULE 20 Definition of Eligible Athlete 1. An athlete is eligible to compete if he agrees to abide by the Rules and has not been declared ineligible. RULE 22 Ineligibility for International and Domestic Competitions 1. The following persons may be
declared ineligible for competitions, whether held under these Rules or the domestic rules of a Member. Any person: (a) whose National Federation is currently suspended by the IAAF. (e) who contravenes the Anti-Doping Rules (see Chapter 3 below); (f) who has committed any act or made any statement either verbally or in writing, or has been responsible for any breaches of the Rules or other conduct which is considered to be insulting or improper or likely to bring the sport into disrepute; Which clothing and running equipment are allowed in competition? The following Rule applies to clothing, shoes and other equipment: RULE 143 Clothing, Shoes and Number Bibs Clothing 1. In all events athletes must wear clothing which is clean, and designed and worn so as not to be objectionable. The clothing must be made of a material which is non-transparent even if wet. The Victory Ceremony and any lap of honour are considered part of the competition for this purpose. Shoes 2. The purpose of shoes for competition is to give protection and stability to the feet and a firm grip on the ground. Such shoes, however, must not be constructed so as to give an athlete any unfair additional assistance. Under which circumstances could an athlete be disqualified? The following Rule defines disqualification: RULE 145 Disqualification 1. If an athlete is disqualified in an event for an infringement of the Technical Rules, reference shall be made in the official results to the Rule which has been infringed. Disqualification from an event for an infringement of the Technical Rules shall not prevent an athlete from taking part in any further event in that competition. 2. If an athlete is disqualified from an event for acting in an unsporting or improper manner, reference shall be made in the official results giving reasons for such disqualification. How should races be run? The following Rules apply to starting, running and finishing races: RULE 161 Starting Blocks 1. Starting blocks shall be used for all races up to and including 400m (including the first leg of the 4x200m and 4x400m) and shall not be used for any other race. When in position on the track, no part of the starting block shall overlap the start line or extend into another lane. RULE 162 The Start 1. The start of a race shall be denoted by a white line 5cm wide. In all races not run in lanes the start line shall be curved, so that all the athletes start the same distance from the finish. Stations in events at all distances shall be numbered from left to right, facing the direction of running.
2. All races shall be started by the report of the Starter's gun or approved starting apparatus fired upwards after he has ascertained that athletes are steady and in the correct starting position. 3. At all International Competitions, except as noted below, the commands of the Starter in his own language, in English or in French shall, in races up to and including 400m (including 4x200m and 4x400m), be "On your marks" and "Set". When all athletes are "Set", the gun shall be fired, or approved starting apparatus activated. An athlete shall not touch either the start line or the ground in front of it with his hands or his feet when on his marks. False start 6. An athlete, after assuming a full and final set position, shall not commence his starting motion until after receiving the report of the gun, or approved starting apparatus. If, in the judgement of the Starter or Recallers, he does so any earlier, it shall be deemed a false start. It shall also be deemed a false start if, in the judgement of the Starter: (a) an athlete fails to comply with the commands "on your marks" or "set" as appropriate after a reasonable time. (b) an athlete after the command "on your marks" disturbs other athletes in the race through sound or otherwise. 7. Any athlete making a false start shall be warned. RULE 163 The Race 1. The direction of running shall be left-hand inside. The lanes shall be numbered with the lefthand inside lane numbered 1. Obstruction 2. Any competing athlete who jostles or obstructs another athlete, so as to impede his progress, shall be liable to disqualification from that event. Running in Lanes 3. In all races run in lanes, each athlete shall keep within his allocated lane from start to finish. This shall also apply to any portion of a race run in lanes 4. If an athlete is pushed or forced by another person to run outside his lane, and if no material advantage is gained, the athlete shall not be disqualified. 6. An athlete, after voluntarily leaving the track, shall not be allowed to continue in the race. CheckMarks 7. Except when all or the first portion of a relay race is being run in lanes, athletes may not make check-marks or place objects on or alongside the running track for their assistance. RULE 164 The Finish 1. The finish of a race shall be denoted by a white line 5cm wide. 3. The athletes shall be placed in the order in which any part of their bodies (i.e. torso, as distinguished from the head, neck, arms, legs, hands or feet) reaches the vertical plane of the nearer edge of the finish line as defined above. How is a tie resolved? The following Rule applies to ties: RULE 167 Ties Ties shall be resolved as follows: In determining whether there has been a tie in any round for a qualifying position for the next round based on time, the Chief Photo Finish Judge shall consider the actual time recorded by the athletes to 1/1000th of a second. If it is thus determined that there has been a tie, the tying athletes shall be placed in the next round or, if that is not practicable, lots shall be drawn to
determine who shall be placed in the next round. In the case of a tie for first place in any final, the Referee is empowered to decide whether it is practicable to arrange for the athletes so tying to compete again. If he decides it is not, the result will stand. Ties in other placings shall remain. How should Relay races be run? The following Rule applies to Relay races: RULE 170 Relay Races 2. Each take-over zone shall be 20m long of which the scratch line is the centre. The zones shall start and finish at the edges of the zone lines nearest the start line in the running direction. 4. The take-over zones for the second and last take-overs (4x400m) will be the 10m lines either side of the start/finish line. 12. The baton shall be a smooth hollow tube, circular in section, made of wood, metal or any other rigid material in one piece, the length of which shall be 28 to 30cm. The circumference shall be 12 to 13cm and it shall not weigh less than 50gm. It should be coloured so as to be easily visible during the race. 13. The baton shall be carried by hand throughout the race. Athletes are not permitted to wear gloves or to place substances on their hands in order to obtain a better grip of the baton. If dropped, it shall be recovered by the athlete who dropped it. He may leave his lane to retrieve the baton provided that, by doing so, he does not lessen the distance to be covered. Provided this procedure is adopted and no other athlete is impeded, dropping the baton shall not result in disqualification. 14. In all relay races, the baton shall be passed within the take-over zone. The passing of the baton commences when it is first touched by the receiving runner and is completed the moment it is in the hand of only the receiving runner. Passing of the baton outside the take-over zone shall result in disqualification. 15. Athletes, before receiving and/or after handing over the baton, should keep in their lanes or zones, in this last case until the course is clear to avoid obstruction to other athletes. If an athlete wilfully impedes a member of another team by running out of position or lane at the finish of his stage, his team shall be disqualified. 16. Assistance by pushing or by any other method shall result in disqualification.
Running in Athletics
Modern Track and Road Events by distance and type Running events are divided by distance into sprints (short-distance), middle-distance, longdistance and road events, as well as by type, which includes hurdles and relays or team races. Sprints
y
100 metres.
This is the shortest sprint distance. Due to its fast, explosive nature it is favoured by the media and viewing public. It was included in the very first Games of 1896, although only for men. The women¶s event was first included in the 1928 Games, Amsterdam. Each competitor keeps to his/her own lane.
y
200 metres.
It is the modern version of the ancient or 200-stride stadium race (see above). The 200m race follows the same rules as the 100m, and many athletes compete in both. The men's event was included in the second Olympic Games, at Paris in 1900. The women's event made its first appearance in the London Games of 1948.
y
400 metres.
It can be considered the modern equivalent of the or double foot-race. It was included in the first Games of 1896 in the men¶s version, while the women¶s event was first run in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Middle-distance
y
800 metres.
Athletes running the 800m race use a combination of tactics to utilise speed and endurance to their advantage. It spans two laps of the stadium. It was one of the original events in the 1896 Games for men, while the women¶s 800m was first run in 1960 in Rome.
y
1500 metres.
Middle-distance runners frequently compete in both the 1500m and the 800m races. This event was included in the 1896 Games for the men. The women¶s 1500m was first included in the 1972 Olympics, Munich. Long-distance
y
5000 metres.
This race could be considered the modern-day equivalent of the ancient , the 20 or 24 stadium lap race. It made its debut as an Olympic men¶s event in the 1912 Stockholm Games. A 3000m women¶s event was run at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, but today the men¶s and women¶s events are both 5000 metres long.
y
10000 metres
It is the longest run held inside the stadium. For men, it was first included in the 1912 Stockholm Games, and for women it debuted at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Road events
y
Marathon
The most famous of the long-distance races, the Marathon is always run on public roads and traditionally is the final event of the Olympic Games. In addition to the Olympic competition, most major cities hold Marathon races, and many, such as the London and the Boston Marathon are famous the world over. In these events, the general public and the media have a chance to admire some of the most accomplished professional athletes, such as Britain¶s Paula Radcliffe and Kenya¶s Martin Lel. These major Marathon races offer high prize money, with up to $500.000 (approximately £254.000) being awarded to the winners in both the men¶s and the women¶s races.
y
Half marathon
The half-marathon is a road race covering half the distance of a Marathon, or approximately 13 miles (21 kilometres). It is favoured by experienced amateurs, as it does not demand the high level of training of the full Marathon but is still a serious challenge. Hurdle races
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110 metres hurdles men; 100 metres hurdles women.
Each competitor must remain in his/her own lane and has to jump over ten hurdles. One of the original Olympic events for the men, the women¶s race debuted in the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
y
400 metres hurdles.
Similar rules as the above event, the ten hurdles are lower. First run in the 1900 Paris Games in the men¶s case, while the women first competed at the Olympic level in the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
y
3000 metres steeplechase
The steeplechase, a men¶s only event, involves jumping four hurdles of 91.4 cm in height and an artificial water hazard Relays or team races Originally, relays were a way to get messages across long distances via a series of couriers, each covering part of the distance to the final destination intended for the message. In modern relays, a rod or baton takes the role of the message. Each team divides the race distance equally amongst its four runners, who pass the baton to each other in turn, according to precise rules and techniques. There are two versions of this team race:
y
4 x 100 metres
The men¶s version debuted in the 1912 Stockholm Games, while the women¶s race was first run in 1928 Amsterdam
y
4 x 400 metres
The men¶s version debuted in the 1912 Stockholm Games, and the women¶s race was first run in 1972 Monaco.
