800m for school sports day in and outs?

Question

Hi, i am running the 800m for sports day and the 200m also. Im running it as im the best choice for it really, however i have always tried to avoid competitions like this, i have done crosscountry (about a 5k run) for my house, where you just run and have nothing to worry about, but not really a track event.

Basically im guessing you don't really have a starting position for this distance as you would in a 200m, and i am wondering if you are allowed to move into the inner lane at the corners?

Because on our track we have the staggered start lines, and so i am guessing if we have a staggered start we have to stay in lane?

If you could clear this up it would really help, i am a good runner, i just dont want to get these things wrong and look like an idiot. Im sure i will figure them out on the day but it is best to know beforehand.

Thanks.

Answer 1

There are two methods for starting the 800m. The first is the one-turn stagger which is used when the number of runners is equal to or less than the number of lanes on the track so that each runner has their own lane. For this there is a short stagger and you must stay in your lane for the first 100m. Once you get to the end of the first turn you can cut in to lane 1.

If there are more runners than lanes they are likely to use the Olympic Arc start, or the waterfall as it may be called. This is the line that curves away from the start/finish line. If this is used you are not assigned a particular lane and you are allowed to cut into lane 1 as soon as you are able.

It is likely that you will receive all necessary instructions before the race starts.

Answer 2

It all depends if you start in separate lanes. If you are in your OWN lane and the start is staggered, then chances are you can cut in at the end of the first turn. There will most likely be a cone there. However, for most races like this they don't start you in your own lane and instead just line you up at the starting line all right next to each other, making it so that you don't have to cut in. So depending on which way you're lined up, that's how you'll know.