Starting Track and field

men assuming starting position sprint race

the start of race marked white line 5 cm wide. in races not run in lanes start line must curved, athletes start same distance finish. starting blocks may used races , including 400 m (including first leg of 4 × 100 m , 4 × 400 m) , may not used other race. no part of starting block may overlap start line or extend lane.

all races must started report of starter s gun or approved starting apparatus fired upwards after have ascertained athletes steady , in correct starting position. athlete may not touch either start line or ground in front of hands or feet when on marks.

for sprint races 400 m, starter gives 2 commands: on marks instruct athletes approach start line, followed set advise athletes start of race imminent. commands of starter typically given in native language in national competitions, or in english or french in international competitions. once athletes set in starting position, gun or approved starting apparatus must fired or activated. if starter not satisfied ready proceed, athletes may called out of blocks , process started over.

there different types of starts races of different distances. middle- , long-distance races use waterfall start. when athletes begin on curved line moves farther out @ outer edge of track. competitors allowed move towards inside lane right away, long safe so. middle-distance races, such 800 m, each athlete starts in own lane. once gun fires, must run in lane began in until markers on track notify them time move towards inside lane. sprint races, athletes begin in start blocks , must stay in own lane entire race.

an athlete, after assuming final set position, may not commence starting motion until after receiving report of gun, or approved starting apparatus. if, in judgment of starter or recallers, earlier, considered false start. deemed false start if, in judgment of starter athlete fails comply commands on marks or set appropriate after reasonable time; or athlete after command on marks disturbs other athletes in race through sound or otherwise. if runner in set position , moves, runner disqualified. of 2010, athlete making false start disqualified.

in international elite competition, electronically tethered starting blocks sense reaction time of athletes. if athlete reacts in less 0.1 second, alert sounds recall starter , offending athlete guilty of false start.