Track Markings 4x100m
Yellow ticks, acceleration zone blue line in middle of lane
4x200m
Blue ticks, no acceleration zone
Rules 1.
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8. 9.
In relay races the baton must be passed within the change-‐over zone. The passing of the baton is completed at the moment it is in the hand of the receiving runner only. Within the change-‐over zone it is only the position of the baton which is decisive and not the position of the body or limbs of the athlete. If the baton is dropped during the event, the athlete who dropped it must be the one to recover it. If the wrong athlete retrieves the baton, the team will only be disqualified if a material advantage is gained. (Note that it is the Track Referee who makes this decision, so the red flag must be raised by the changeover marshal.) Athletes should remain in their lanes after changes. Wilful impeding or pushing off leads to disqualification. In events in which the first part of the race is run in lanes, athletes after completing this part, are free to take up any position on the track. In proceeding from a heat to a final, the composition of a team cannot be altered except with the permission of the Arena Manager, who shall grant approval only in the case of injury or illness. The order of running can be changed at will. For the 4x100m event, members of a team, other than the first runner, may commence running not more than 10m outside the take-‐over zone. This area is known as the acceleration zone and is denoted by a distinctive mark. For the 4x200m and Medley events, athletes must start from a stationary position wholly inside the change-‐over zone (ie not touching or beyond the lines that mark the change-‐over zone). For changeovers that do not occur in lanes, the athletes should be marshalled to a position 1-‐2 metres forward of the start of the changeover to reduce the possibility of stepping back over the line.
Officials Ideally six required for each session -
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Four officials positioned to watch the change over lines o Each official should be positioned to observer four lines. o There are more likely to be infringements at the beginning of the changeover zone One official to marshal the athletes onto the track Chief official to oversee and signal with the flags
Procedures 1. Athletes will be brought to the changeover zone from the marshalling tent 2. You can briefly explain the rules for the changeover to the athletes, eg a. You must pass the baton between the lines in your lane 3. Athletes are to be marshalled onto the track as per the marshalling sheet in your folders athletes must be placed in the lanes according to the marshalling sheet. 4. Once all athletes are on the track hold up your white flag to indicate you are ready. 5. Watch changeovers carefully. Have your officials give you a thumbs up/thumbs down to indicate if they observed any issues. 6. If there were no issues, raise your white flag. 7. If an official observed an issue, raise your red flag. Discuss with the official what they saw and radio through to the finish line to tell them what happened. Fill out an infringement form with details of the issue.
8. The track referee at the finish line makes the decision on disqualifications - do not tell the athletes that there has been a disqualification. 9. Once all lanes have completed their change over, send the athletes off the track through the nearest gate. a. Do not let athletes walk across the in-field or walk towards the finish line. 10. Get the next heat marshalled onto the track as soon as possible.
4x200m Events Once the first change is complete, get the first runners off the track and line up the third runners along the blue lines. Athletes are lined up in lane order, but do not need to be placed in lanes.
Medley Events First and second changeovers are between the yellow ticks Third changeover is between the blue 4x400m change over zone - unlaned change. Acceleration zones cannot be used in the medley.
Any Problems Please call for the Arena Manager or Track Referee over the walkie-talkie, or use the phone to contact the finish line.