Currently:

RULE 170 RELAY RACES

With the exception of IAAF Rules 170.6(b) and 170.9, IAAF Rule 170 has been replaced by the following:
Beginning of Takeover Zone End of Takeover Zone

TAKEOVER ZONE
20 metres

ACCELERATION ZONE
10 metres

Zone Line Scratch Line Zone Line

Beginning of Acceleration Zone

RUNNING DIRECTION

Takeover Zone

1. Lines shall be drawn 10m before and after the scratch line to denote the take-over zone within which
lines the baton must be passed.
2. For each changeover conducted in lanes, a designated official shall ensure that the athletes are
correctly placed in their takeover zone and are aware of any applicable acceleration zone.
3. The changeover zone shall be twenty (20) metres long.

Acceleration Zone

4. There shall be ten (10) metre acceleration zone for the 4 x 100 metre Circular Relay.
5. Members of a team, other than the first runner, may commence running not more than 10m outside
the take-over zone. This area is known as the acceleration zone and is denoted by a distinctive mark.

The Race

6. No athlete may run two sections for a team.

7. The baton must be carried by hand throughout the race.
8. If dropped, the athlete who dropped the baton must recover it. The athlete may leave their lane to
retrieve the baton. Provided this procedure is adopted and no other athlete is impeded, dropping
that baton shall not result in disqualification.
9. Should any athlete wilfully impede a member of another team by running out of their lane at the
finish of their leg they are liable to cause the disqualification of their team.

Check Marks

10. Athletes may place one check mark on the track within their own lane using adhesive tape (except
where this contravenes any rule(s) made by the venue management) of maximum dimensions 5mm
x 40mm. Use of chalk or similar substances is prohibited.
Baton Changes

11. Within the take-over zone, it is only the position of the baton that is decisive and not the position of
the body or the limbs of the athlete.
12. Athletes should remain in their lanes after handing over the baton, until the course is clear.
13. The baton specifications are as follows:

Min Circumference Max Circumference Min Length Max Length Min Weight

95 mm 105 mm 280 mm 300 mm 70 – 80 gm

OR

Min Circumference Max Circumference Min Length Max Length Min Weight

76 mm 82 mm 250 mm 280 mm 50 – 60 gm

Replace With:

RULE 170 RELAY RACES

With the exception of IAAF Rules 170.6(b) and 170.9, IAAF Rule 170 has been replaced by the following:

Takeover Zone

1. In the 4 x 100m, each takeover zone shall be 30m long, of which the scratch line is 20m from the
start of the zone. The zones shall start and finish at the edges of the zone lines nearest the start line
in the running direction.
2. For each takeover conducted in lanes, a designated official shall ensure that the athletes are
correctly placed in their takeover zone and are aware of any applicable acceleration zone. The
designated official shall also ensure that Rule 170.6 is observed.

Beginning of Takeover Zone End of Takeover Zone

TAKEOVER ZONE
30 metres

20 metres

Zone Line Scratch Line Zone Line

RUNNING DIRECTION

Note: Unless a track has been specifically marked for 30m takeover zones, the existing line marked on the
track to denote the acceleration line shall be used as the incoming zone line.
The Race

3. No athlete may run two sections for a team.

4. The baton must be carried by hand throughout the race.
5. If dropped, the athlete who dropped the baton must recover it. The athlete may leave their lane to
retrieve the baton. Provided this procedure is adopted and no other athlete is impeded, dropping
that baton shall not result in disqualification.
6. Should any athlete wilfully impede a member of another team by running out of their lane at the
finish of their leg they are liable to cause the disqualification of their team.

Check Marks

7. Athletes may place one check mark on the track within their own lane using adhesive tape (except
where this contravenes any rule(s) made by the venue management) of maximum dimensions 5mm
x 40mm. Use of chalk or similar substances is prohibited.

Baton Changes

8. Within the takeover zone, it is only the position of the baton that is decisive and not the position of
the body or the limbs of the athlete.
9. Athletes should remain in their lanes after handing over the baton, until the course is clear.
10. The baton specifications are as follows:

Min Circumference Max Circumference Min Length Max Length Min Weight

95 mm 105 mm 280 mm 300 mm 70 – 80 gm

OR

Min Circumference Max Circumference Min Length Max Length Min Weight

76 mm 82 mm 250 mm 280 mm 50 – 60 gm