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The Track: Click To Enlarge
The Track: Click To Enlarge
Some of the world’s most extravagant architectural masterpieces have been outdoor athletics
stadiums. From the first stadium constructed thousands of years ago in Greece, to the Olympic
tracks of today, countries have used these venues to show off the society's wealth, power, and
intelligence. Regardless of whether it is a billion dollar project or the local school stadium, the
dimensions of the track, runways, and throwing rings remain similar (though rarely identical).
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The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) sets standards for tracks used in
international and elite competitions, as well as minimum standards for a track to meet the
requirements for world record performances. Many tracks you are likely to encounter will never
have to worry about hosting international competition, so consider what type of competition a
given track is likely to host before assuming it is constructed under IAAF standards. While some
high schools do use the IAAF standards, more often than not, your local track won’t. Still, IAAF
standards are useful and do manage to provide a layout similar to most tracks you’ll come across.
The Track
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An outdoor track measures 400 meters (m) around, with standard IAAF measurements of
84.39m for the straights and 115.611m for the curves. These distances are typically measured
either 20 centimeters (cm) from the inside of the track (if no rail or curb exists on the inside), or
30cm from the inside (if there is a rail or curb in place). One straightaway is extended for the
start and finish of sprint races. Two start lines exist on this extension: One for the 110m hurdle
race, and one for the 100m races. Tracks should extend a minimum of 3m behind the starting line
and 17m after the finish line, leaving room for sprinters to decelerate.
Typically, a track will have eight lanes. Six and nine lane tracks are also common, while two and
four lane tracks are occasionally made. A tenth lane becomes too wide and gives too much
advantage to the outside athlete in the 200m, since running a turn is less efficient than running a
straight. Tracks used for international competition will always be either eight or nine lanes. Each
lane is 1.22m wide.
A common finish line exists for all running events. Consequently, there are many starting lines
on a track. See the track diagram to get an idea of how these starting lines are arranged.
The Jumps
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The triple jump and the long jump, at many facilities, are competed on the same runway,
utilizing the same sand pit. The only difference is the takeoff board position. The takeoff board
typically is placed in the same position for both men and women in the long jump, but in
different positions in the triple jump.
High Jump
The bar is raised as competition progresses. Opening heights vary from meet to meet, but
the bar always spans 4.02m. This is also the width between the standards, or uprights,
which are used to measure the bar’s height.
The foam rubber landing, or pit, for the high jump is at least 4.00m deep, 6.00m wide,
and 0.70m high.
The runway is a semicircle with a radius of at least 20m.
Pole Vault
Like the high jump, the bar is raised as competition progresses. The standards, or uprights, used
to measure the bar’s height are always set to at least 5.20m apart.
The landing pit must be at least 6.00m long, 6.00m wide (5.00m and 5.00m for non-
international competition), and 0.80m high.
The pole vault runway must be at least 40m long.
The box at the end of the runway (where the pole is planted) is 3ft, 3in long, 8in at the
deepest, and narrows to 6in wide at the bottom.
Uprights can be adjusted, according to athlete preference, up to 0.80m behind the box.
Poles may be any length or diameter and possess any degree of flexibility, but must
always be round in profile.
The Throws
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Discus
Hammer Throw
Throwing circle is 2.135m in diameter.
In international competition, the landing sector is marked by two radii separated by 34.92
degrees. They extend 90m from the center of the throwing circle.
The landing sector is marked by white lines measuring 5cm wide, the inside of which is
the boundary for fair throws.
A protective cage must surround the throwing circle.
The hammer itself consists of the metal head, a wire, and the handle.
The head is solid iron (or another metal no softer than brass). Mixed metals are allowed.
The wire is no less than 3mm in diameter, made of steel, and cannot stretch while being
thrown.
The handle must be rigid and without hinging joints of any kind. Handle grips can be a
maximum 110mm in length.
For open international competition, the men’s shot weighs 7.260kg and must have a
diameter between 110mm and 130mm. For women, the weight is 4.000kg with a
diameter between 95mm and 110mm.
Shot Put
Javelin
The Hurdles
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Steeplechase
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After a flat segment from the start line to the first crossing of the finish line, each lap
consists of five barriers. One of these barriers is the water jump.
The steeplechase is seven laps. In total, a steeplechaser will clear 35 barriers in a race.
Barriers are 36 inches high for men and 30 inches for women.
It is desirable that these barriers are equal distances apart on the track.
The water jump consists of a standard barrier followed immediately by the water pit.
The water pit measures 3.66m by 3.66m, with a depth of 0.50m to 0.70m. Its deepest
point is immediately after the barrier, and the surface rises to the level of the track from
there.
The water jump is typically placed inside one of the turns of the track, but can also be
placed outside of one turn of the track. This placement either shortens or lengthens the
distance of one lap for the steeplechase.
For a standard IAAF track with a water jump placed on the inside of the track according
to the IAAF’s recommendations, the length of one lap is 3.916m shorter than 400m to
account for the runners cutting inside the track for each water jump.