Historical background of relay running

The concept originated in ancient Greece: where a 'message stick '

was passed along via a number of couriers.
The relay method of racing was started in the United States about
1883. The original method was for the men running the second
quarter of the course each to take over a small flag from the first
man as he arrived, before departing on their own stage of the race,
at the end of which they, in their turn, handed on their flags to the
awaiting next runner. The flag, however, were considered
cumbersome, and for a time it was sufficient for the outgoing runner
to touch or be touched by his predecessor.
Definition of relay running
Relay running is a type of running race in which athletes compete as
a team. rather than as individual. It is also a team event which
involves four runners each running 100 meters. Relay running is a
type of running race in which athletes compete as a team rather than
as individual. Relay race, also called Relay, a track-and-field sport
consisting of a set number of stages (legs), usually four, each leg run
by a different member of a team. The runner finishing one leg is
usually required to pass on a baton to the next runner while both are
running in a marked exchange zone.
Types of relay
The two relay races in the Olympics are the 4x100m and 4x400m for
both men and women and mixed.
4×100m relay
The 4x100m relay is an event where a relay team of four members
each run a distance of 100 m in a single designated lane. During each
leg run, the athlete has to carry a baton and hand it over to the next
team member. The baton exchange has to happen within a 20m
changeover box, located 10m before and 10m after the start of each
leg, starting from the second relay runner. A team can be disqualified
if any member drops the baton during the handover or if the
handover occurs outside the designated area. The runner finishing
the race will generally be the fastest sprinter in a team. The 4x100m
relay was introduced as a men's only event at the 1912 Stockholm
Olympics, while the women's event was first run at the 1928
Olympics in Amsterdam.
4×400 meter
The rules for the 4x400m relay are largely similar to the 4x100m
relays. The team members cover a distance of 400m each before
passing on the baton to the next team member, within the same
20m designated changeover area.
The 4x400m relay was also introduced at the Olympics as a men's-
only event at the 1912 Stockholm Games, while the women's event
was first run at Munich 1972.
Equipment required in relay running
As any sports, relay also require equipment like lightweight shoes,
clothing and baton.
Baton
In track and field, a relay race is an event that requires a great deal of
coordination, speed, and teamwork. In order to perform properly,
the use of the baton is necessary.
A relay baton is a hollow cylinder that is carried by each team
member during a relay race. It has 50 gm of weight, 38 mm centre
and 25 - 30 cm length. It can be made of wood or metal.
Baton exchange
In the 4×100 m relay, the universally accepted method of exchanging
the baton is the alternate method. The first runner carries the baton
in the right hand and hands it over to the left hand of the fourth
runner. The baton therefore, passes from right to left and from left
to right.
There are two methods used for the actual baton exchange:
1.The upward exchange in which the l receiver reaches back, with
the elbow slightly bent end, with the palm of the hand lacing
upwards.
2.The downward exchange, in which the receiver reaches back with a
fairly high and straight arm, and the palm of the hand lacing
upwards.
Number 1 and 3 runners hold the baton in their right hands and
numbers 2 and 4 runners hold the baton in the left hands. There is
no changes of hands by the individual runner.
The baton exchange is non-visual, the outgoing runner does not
watch the baton into his hand, but waits, at a suitable spot.
Rules of relay
Players
A maximum of 8 players can be registered per team, but only 4 can
participate.
The post will be made up of 2 women and 2 men.
The race
The team that wins will be the one that manages to carry out the
race in the least possible time.
Five minutes after the schedule is established, if the runners do not
show up on the court, they will not be able to participate in the race.
Race system
The basic rules of athletics will be used.
Teams are composed of four runners, each running a distance of
approximately 80 meters and then they need to pass the witness to
the next played and so on until the end of the race.
Infraction
The team can be disqualified if they run the race without the
witness.
Three false starts will be punished.
If the track of the opposing team is invaded, the team will have an
infringement.
Judges may not start a race if they consider that the public interferes
with the physical integrity of the runners.
Race control
Three judges will be in charge.
The judge will be the only authority within the track, its decisions
cannot be appealed and is the only one who has the power to
suspend the race.
Summary
Relay running is a type of running race in which athletes compete as
a team, rather than as individuals. The two most common relay races
in track and field are the 4 x loom and the 4 x 400m races, in which
four athletes run loom and 400m each respectively. A less common
relay is the sprint medley relay, usually consisting of four legs run at
distances of 400,200,200, and 800 metres.
Equipment that are required for relay are lightweight shoes, clothing
and baton. Baton is one of the most important equipment for relay
that is hollow cylinder which is carried by each team member during
the race. In the 4×100 m relay, the universally accepted method of
exchanging the baton in the alternate method. There are two
methods used for the actual baton exchange
1.The upward exchange
2.The downward exchange
Relay race also requires a great deal of coordination, speed and
teamwork.