c 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.

J



 
c 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.

J
 
c 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.

u 
 
c 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

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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).

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$ 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;

#





% 
 

&

$ 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.

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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.

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$
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 left-
hand 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. Check-
Marks 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.

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$
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.

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$
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.

J




 
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Running events are divided by distance into sprints (short-distance), middle-distance, long-
distance and road events, as well as by type, which includes hurdles and relays or team races.

 


c 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.
 c 200 metres.

It is the modern version of the ancient įȡȩȝȠȢ 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.

c 400 metres.

It can be considered the modern equivalent of the įȓĮȣȜȠȢ 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.

(
  


c 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.

c 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.

‰
  


c 5000 metres.

This race could be considered the modern-day equivalent of the ancient įȩȜȚȤȠȢ, 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.

c 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.

J


c 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.

c 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.

u 
 

c 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.

c 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.

c 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

J
   

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:

c 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
 c 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.