Relay races Track and field

relay races track , field event in team of runners directly compete against other teams. typically, team made of 4 runners of same sex. each runner completes specified distance (referred leg) before handing on baton teammate, begins leg upon receiving baton. there designated area athletes must exchange baton. teams may disqualified if fail complete change within area, or if baton dropped during race. team may disqualified if runners deemed have wilfully impeded other competitors.

girls handing on baton in relay race in leipzig in 1950

relay races emerged in united states in 1880s variation on charity races between firemen, hand red pennant on teammates every 300 yards. there 2 common relay events: 4×100 metres relay , 4×400 metres relay. both events entered olympic programme @ 1912 summer games after one-off men s medley relay featured in 1908 olympics. 4 × 100 m event run strictly within same lane on track, meaning team collectively runs 1 complete circuit of track. teams in 4 × 400 m event remain in own lane until runner of second leg passes first bend, @ point runners can leave lanes , head towards inner-most part of circuit. second , third baton change overs, teammates must align in respect of team position – leading teams take inner lanes while teammates of slower teams must await baton on outer lanes.

the iaaf keeps world records 5 different types of track relays. 4×100 m , 4×400 m events, races comprise teams of 4 athletes running same distances, less commonly contested distances being 4×200 m, 4×800 m , 4×1500 m relays. other events include distance medley relay (comprising legs of 1200 m, 400 m, 800 m, , 1600 m), held in united states, , sprint relay, known swedish medley relay, popular in scandinavia , held @ world youth championships in athletics programme. relay events have significant participation in united states, number of large meetings (or relay carnivals) focused exclusively on relay events.