ATHLETICS (Running Event)

Brief History
Athletics include track and field events which cover a variety of events in which three basic
discipline of running, jumping and throwing are practiced. Such activities have been popular
throughout the ages and which prominently featured in the sports of ancient events, though
organized athletics in amateur form are of modern origin, dating back to nineteenth century
in England. They evolved primarily from the private schools of England like the Harrow and
the Eaton, and subsequently the universities like Oxford and Cambridge made significant
contribution in this development. Soon they became popular internationally and inevitably
found place in the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896 in Athens.

Equipment and facility

Baton
In track and field, a baton is used in relay
races to transfer between teammates. It is
passed from one runner to the next within
a designated exchange zone. The baton
transfer is a critical aspect of relay racing,
as it requires precise timing and
coordination between teammates in order
to maintain speed and momentum
throughout the race. The baton itself is
usually a hollow tube, typically made of
metal or lightweight materials, designed for
easy gripping and passing between runners.
 Hurdles
Hurdles or hurdling is a track and field
sport that involves running and jumping
over obstacles at speed. Hurdling is part
of athletics at the Olympic Games.

 Starting blocks
Starting blocks provide support for
sprinters' feet at the start of the race so
they can push off for a better race start
and acceleration phase. They are used
by sprinters in track and field athletics
for the 60m (indoor), 100m, 110m
hurdles, 200m, 400m and the first leg of
the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m relays.

 Starting gun/pistol
A starting pistol or starter pistol is a
blank handgun or, more recently, an
electronic toy gun or device with a button
connected to a sound system that is
fired to start track and field races as well
as some competitive swimming races.
  Spike shoes
Track spikes are specialized shoes
designed specifically for use in track and
field events. Unlike regular running
shoes, track spikes have spikes or pins
on the bottom to provide better traction
and stability on the track. This allows
athletes to perform at their best,
regardless of the event they're competing in.

 Timer/Stopwatch

a watch that can be started and stopped very quickly and

that is used for measuring the amount of time that is taken
to do something (such as to run a race).

 Track Oval
An all-weather running track is a
rubberized, artificial running surface for
track and field athletics. It provides a
consistent surface for competitors to test
their athletic ability unencumbered by
adverse weather conditions. Historically,
various forms of dirt, rocks, sand, and
crushed cinders were used.

Fixed barriers: The fixed barriers are

different in length according to the men's
and women's event. The barrier for the
men's event is 914 millimetres(mm) high
while for the women's category it is 762
mm.
Water jumps: The water jump, including
the hurdle, is 3.66m in length. The pits
are designed in such a way that they
have an upward slope and the water is deeper near the barrier. The slope begins
around 30cm forward of the barrier and the water is 70cm deep.

Types of Running Events

 Short Distance
A sprint is a short running race. In a track and
field competition there are generally three
different sprint distances: 100m, 200m, and
400m. The original Olympic event, the stadion
race, was a sprint of around 180m. A sprint race
starts out with the runners in starting blocks in
their lane. The official will say "on your marks". At
this point the racer should be focused on the
 track, have their feet placed in the blocks, fingers on the ground behind the starting line,
hands slightly wider than shoulder width, muscles relaxed. Next the official will say "Set". At
this point the runner should get their hips slightly above shoulder level, feet pushed hard into
the blocks, holding their breath and ready to race. Then there is the bang and the race has
started. The runner should exhale and run out of the blocks not jumping. The initial part of
the race the runner is accelerating to top speed. Once top speed is achieved then
endurance kicks in as the runner tries to maintain that speed for the rest of the
sprint.Sprinters should remain relaxed while running and move their arms in a straight back
and forth motion. They should be focused on their lane and the track at the start and the
finish line for the last half of the race or so.
 Middle Distance
The middle distance races are the 800m, the
1500m, and the 1 mile long runs. These races
require different skills and tactics to win that the
sprints. They rely more on endurance and pacing
than just pure speed. Also, the runners don't stay
in a single lane for the entire race. They start out
in staggered lanes, to make the distance the
same for each runner, but the race soon becomes
open with no lanes and the runners must to pass around each other to gain the lead.
 Long Distance
There are three main long distance races: the
3000m, the 5000m, and the 10,000m races. These
races are similar to the middle distance races, but
the emphasis is even more on correct pacing and
endurance.

 Hurdles
A hurdles race is one in which obstacles are
placed at intervals along the track that the runners
must jump over on their way the finish line.
Typical hurdle races are the 100m and 400m for
women and 110m and 400m for men. Timing,
footwork, and technique are key in wining hurdles
events. Of course you still need to be fast, but
jumping the hurdles in stride without much slowing
down is how to win in the hurdles.

 Relays
Relay races are where teams of runners compete
against each other. There are typically 4 runners
and 4 legs to the race. The first runner starts with
the baton and runs the first leg handing off to the
second runner. The hand off must typically take
place within a given area of the track. The second
then hands off to the third and the third to the
fourth. The fourth runner runs the final, or anchor,
leg to the finish line. Common relay races are the 4x100m and the 4x400m.
 Steeplechase

Steeplechase is a very interesting track event

where participants overcome various
obstacles -- fixed barriers and water jumps --
during the course of a 3000m race to make it
 to the finish line. The 3000m steeplechase event consists of 28 fixed barriers and
seven water jumps.

 Walk-a-thon
is simply described as walking fast. Races take
place on a track or road. Judges observe the
walkers very closely, for a competitor will be
disqualified if he does not step onto a straight
leg or loses contact with the ground more than
twice. If a judge sees an infraction, he issues a
first warning. If there is a second infraction, a
disqualification warning is posted on a board
visible to all competitors course. If three judges
charge an athlete with an infraction, he is disqualified.

Basic Rules and Regulations

Hurdle and Sprint Rules
Start: Starting blocks are used for all hurdle, relay and sprint events. The starting blocks consist of
two adjustable footplates attached to a rigid frame. Olympic hurdle and sprint races commence with
the firing of the Starter's gun. The starting commands are "On your marks" and "Set." Once all
athletes are in the set position, the Starter's gun is fired, officially starting the race. For the 100m,
women's 100m hurdles and men's 110m hurdles, all competitors are lined up side-by-side. For the
200m, 400m and 400m hurdles, which involve curves, runners are staggered for the start.

False Starts: If a sprinter commences his or her starting motion from the set position before the
Starter's gun is fired, it is deemed a false start. The first false start of a race results in an automatic
disqualification to the offending runner.

Lanes: For all Olympic sprint and hurdle events, runners must remain within their pre-assigned
lanes, which measure 1.22 meters (4 feet) wide, from start to finish. The lanes are numbered 1
through 8, starting with the inside lane. Any athlete who runs outside the assigned lane is subject to
disqualification. If the athlete is forced to run outside of his or her lane by another person, and no
material advantage is gained, there will be no disqualification. Also, a runner who strays from his or
her lane in the straightaway, or crosses the outer line of his or her lane on the bend, and gains no
advantage by it, will not be disqualified as long as no other runner is obstructed.

The finish: The first athlete whose torso (as distinguished from the head, neck, arms, legs, hands
or feet) reaches the vertical plane of the closest edge of the finish line is the winner.
Negotiating hurdles: Any competitor who trails a foot or leg below the horizontal plane of the top of
any hurdle at the instant of clearance will be disqualified.

Middle Distance Rules

Start: With all individual races 800m and longer, there are no starting blocks; runners begin in an
upright position, their hands prohibited from touching the ground. The starting command for these
races is "On your marks." Once all athletes are at the mark, the Starter's gun is fired, officially
starting the race. An 800m race comprises eight runners, each in his or her own lane for the
staggered start; in the 1500m and steeplechase, which have up to 12 runners, a group start is used.

Lanes: In the 800m, all runners must stay within their assigned lanes through the first turn, after
which they break for position to the inside lane. In the 1500m and steeplechase, there are no lane
assignments and runners jockey for position from the start.

Negotiating barriers: In the steeplechase, any competitor who steps to the side of a jump or trails
his foot or leg along side any barrier will be disqualified. Athletes may go over the barriers in any
way, as long as no part of the foot or leg falls below the horizontal plane of the top bar at the
instance of clearance.
 Distance Rules
Start: In Olympic distance events, there are no starting blocks; runners begin in an upright position,
their hands prohibited from touching the ground. The starting command for these races is "On your
marks." Once all athletes are at the mark, the Starter's gun is fired, officially starting the race.
Distance races begin with mass starts. When there are more than 12 competitors in a race, they
can be split into two staggered groups for the start: one with roughly 65 percent of the runners on
the regular start line, another with the other runners on a separate start line across the track's outer
half. The latter group runs on the outer half until clearing the first bend.

Lanes: In Olympic distance races, there are no lane assignments so runners can break for position
from the start.

Race Walking Rules

Definition: Race walking is a progression of steps so taken that the walker makes constant contact
with the ground. The advancing leg shall be straightened from the moment of the first contact with
the ground until the vertical upright position.

Judges: There are six to nine judges for each Olympic race-walk event. Athletes are given
warnings by the judges when they violate the definition of race walking by exhibiting a visible loss of
contact or a bent knee. Warnings from three different judges results in disqualification. Competitors
must retire from the race if ordered to do so by a member of the official medical staff. A competitor
may leave the course with the permission of a race judge, as long as it doesn't result in the
shortening of the race distance.
Rules of Relay Races

1. Lines 50mm wide shall be drawn across the track to mark the distances of the stages and to
denote the scratch line.

2. Lines 50mm wide also shall be drawn 10m before and after the scratch line to denote the take-
over zone, within which lines the baton must be passed. These lines are to be included in the zonal
measurements. In races up to 4 x 200m, members of a team other than the first runner may
commence running not more than 10m outside the takeover zone. A distinctive mark shall be made
in each lane to denote this extended limit. The first two stages, as well as that part of the third stage
up to the exit from the first bend, will be run entirely in lanes. In 4 x 400m relay races, the first lap,
as well as that part of the second lap up to the exit from the first bend, will be run entirely in lanes.
The competitors are free to take over any position on the track at the entrance to the following
straight, which shall be marked with a flag set on a post at least 1.50m high on each side of the
track, and with a line 50mm wide across the track.

3. Check Marks: When a relay race is being run in lanes, a competitor may make a check mark on
the track within his own lane, e.g. by scratching with his shoe, but may not place marking objects on
or alongside the track. Where the track is of a material which will not permit scratching with a shoe,
some material supplied by the organizers may be used, at the discretion of the judge.

4. The Baton: The baton must be carried in the hand throughout the race. If dropped, it must be
recovered by the athlete, who dropped it. In all relay races, the baton must be passed within the
takeover zone. The passing of the baton is completed the moment it is in the hand of the receiving
runner only. Within the take-over zone, it is only the position of the baton which is decisive, and not
the position of the body or limbs of the competitor
Construction: The baton shall be a smooth hollow tube circular in section, made of wood or metal or
any other rigid material in one piece, the length of which shall not be more than 300mm and not less
than 280mm. The circumference shall be 120mm to 130mm and it shall not weigh less than 50g.

5. Assistance by pushing-off or by any other method will cause disqualification.

6. The position of teams at the start of the race shall be drawn and shall be retained at each take-
over zone. After lanes shall have ceased to be used, wait- ing runners can move to an inner position
on the track as incoming team-mates arrive, provided this can be done without fouling.
 7. In events where the first part of the race is run in lanes, competitors, after completing this part,
are free to take up any position on the track.

8. Competitors, after handing over the baton should remain in their lanes or zones until the course is
clear, to avoid obstruction to other competitors. Should any competitor willfully impede a member of
another team by running out of position or lane at the finish of the stage, he is liable to cause the
disqualification of his own team.

9. Once a relay team has started in a competition, only two additional athletes may be used as
substitutes in the composition of the team for subsequent rounds. Substitutions may only be made
from the list of athletes already entered for the meeting, whatever the event.

The exact composition of the teams and the order of the teams for the relay must be officially
declared before the start of each round of the competition.

Fundamental Skills
Drills

https://www.ducksters.com/sports/trackandfieldrunning.php
https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/track-field-101-rules
21 popular sports and games, Rules and Regulation, COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE AND BASIC
TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVING ONE`S SKILL TO VICTORY, B.K. Chaturvedi
SPORTS THE COMPLETE VISUAL REFERENCE, François Fortin