400 Meter Rules

Set-up

• The 400-meter dash is contested on an oval track with two straightaways and two turns. Each lane is 4 feet wide and is separated by a line 1.96 inches wide. Competitors are allowed to use starting blocks if they desire. The starting blocks must be solid and not extend into any lane. The foot plates can be flat or curved depending on the athlete's preference. Because runners remain in their lanes, the starting lines are staggered so it appears that runners have a head start but because the outer lanes are longer all runners run the same distance.

Starting

• The starter gives three commands: "on your mark," "set" and then the starter's pistol fires. When the official says "on your mark" the runners should get into their starting blocks with reasonable speed. If the official thinks that one athlete is unnecessarily delaying the start of the race, he can issue a warning. If the runner delays the start again, she is disqualified. Once all runners are in the blocks, the official says "set" and the runners should quickly get into their starting position. Runners go on the sound of the gun. If a runner moves before the gun, she is charged with a false start. Through 2009, the first false start is charged to the field. Any additional false start results in the disqualification of that competitor. Starting in 2010, competitors will be disqualified after one false start.

The Race

• Each runner is assigned a lane to run in and must remain in that lane for the entire race. If the runner steps on the lane line or outside the lane, he is disqualified. The winner of the race is determined by which runner crosses the line with part of his torso first. The torso is defined as your waist to your shoulders not including your arms. Automatic timing must be used in international competitions and times are recorded to the one-hundredth of a second.