The Most Useful Information on Relay Races

Relay racing is a particular kind of short-distance running. There are the most popular variations of relay racing that take place on round running tracks. It refers to 100, 200, and 400-meter races. At the end of every separate stage, a relay baton should be given to the next runner. 4×100 and 4×400 meters are the most popular distances among both men and women. These events are obligatory parts of the Olympic Games. The main task of the given article is to present the main peculiarities of relay racing.

Main Rules

4×100 and 4×200 relay racing events can be roughly divided into a few separate sprint races that take place on different tracks. When it comes to 4×400 competitions, however, the first lap and the first curve of the second lap take place on separate tracks. After that, the athletes may occupy an innermost track.

The whole distance should have clear marking signs. The distance between the start and finish should be marked so that all the participants should overcome the same distance.

Athletes take a relay baton in their hands; this item should be delivered to the finishing line. If an athlete loses a baton, he must take it without leaving his running track. This item is given to the next runner at a 20-meter long changeover station. White lines that are perpendicular to the running tracks should limit this area. A runner who is going to accept a relay baton may start running 10 meters before the changeover station.

In addition to that, a runner who is going to accept a relay baton may not accept assistance of any kind from his partners (for instance, it refers to situations when an athlete pushes his partner to make him run faster). Once a relay baton is passed, a runner who is now without the item should stay on his/her separate running track until the running track is free.

Material Support

A relay baton is a hollow pipe without any holes on its ends. The pipe should have a smooth surface. It should be made of wood, metal, or any other firm material.

The relay baton should be no more than 28-30 cm long; its diameter should be 120 mm, weight – at least 50g.

Technique

Similar to short-distance races, athletes start relay racing events from the crouch start.

Relay Exchange

When it comes to relay racing, it is necessary to pass and accept relay baton at the highest possible running speed. That is why, runners of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stages star performing from the standing start. As has been stated, these athletes may start running no more than 10 meters before the changeover station. Usually, athletes pass and accept the relay baton close to the end of the changeover station. As a rule, it is performed from the bottom upwards.

Ways of Exchange

There are the following ways of exchanging the relay baton:

1. Outside;
2. Inside;
3. Frankfurt exchange.

An outside exchange means a player takes a relay baton in his/her left hand, is running to the right of the next runner who is going to take the item with his/her right hand. An inside exchange system, however, represents a different situation, in which runners take a relay baton in their right hands, are running to the left of the next runner, who, in their turn, are going to take the item with their left hands. As for a Frankfurt exchange, these two ways are used in turns:

• the 1st exchange is inner;
• the 2nd is outside;
• the 3rd is inner again.

In this case, runners who are entering a turn take relay batons in their right hands, while athletes who perform on straight sectors take it in the left hands. In the best variant, this exchange system can be enough to overcome the whole distance of 4×100 in a time that is only 2-2.5 seconds more than the sum of the four best athletes.

Tactics

Tactical considerations are extremely essential when it comes to creating a relay racing team. For example, it is necessary to identify runners with perfect high speed; they should begin relay races. The 2nd and 3rd stages are occupied by those runners who know how to properly perform the exchange.

As a rule, the most skillful athlete overcomes the second stage; the third runner should have perfect skills of entering curves. Finally, athletes with the strongest volitional powers should run last because it is a common thing when a final outcome of a race is decided in the last meters.