Track rules Track and field

1 track rules

1.1 starting
1.2 running race
1.3 finish

track rules

the rules of track athletics or of track events in athletics observed in international athletics competitions set competition rules of international association of athletics federations (iaaf). recent complete set of rules 2009 rules relate competitions in 2009. key rules of track events regarding starting, running , finishing.

starting

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.

running race

oscar pistorius, running in first round of 400 m @ 2012 olympics

for sprinting events (bar 4 × 400 m relay , indoor 400 metres), each athlete must run race within allocated lane start finish. if athlete leaves lane or steps on line demarking each lane athlete disqualified. lane rules apply initial periods of other track races, example, beginning of 800 m. similar rules apply longer distance races when large field of athletes present , separate starting points designated, field merging 1 group shortly after starting phase.

any athlete jostles or obstructs athlete, in way impedes progress, should disqualified event. however, if athlete pushed or forced person run outside lane, , if no material advantage gained, athlete should not disqualified.

the finish

the finish of race marked white line 5 cm wide. finishing position of athletes determined order in part of torso (as distinguished head, neck, arms, legs, hands or feet) reaches vertical plane of nearer edge of finish line. automatic timing systems (photo timing) becoming more , more common @ increasingly lower levels of track meets, improving accuracy, while eliminating need eagle-eyed officials on finish line. automatic timing (fat) required high level meets , time (sprint) record set (though distance records can accepted if timed 3 independent stopwatches).

with accuracy of timing systems, ties rare. ties between different athletes resolved follows: in determining whether there has been tie in round qualifying position next round based on time, judge (called chief photo finish judge) must consider actual time recorded athletes 1 thousandth of second. if judge decides there has been tie, tying athletes must placed in next round or, if not practicable, lots must drawn determine must placed in next round. in case of tie first place in final, referee decides whether practicable arrange athletes tying compete again. if decides not, result stands. ties in other placings remain.