How to Conduct a Track Meet

The Competitors.

Every athlete should be entered in the meet a sufficient time before in order that the places, events and handicaps may be arranged. Handicaps may be granted if a mediocre runner is running with one of stellar ability. Every athlete should have a number.

The Officials.

Referee.—The referee has entire charge of the meet and is responsible for the good conduct of the meet. All fouls are dealt with by her. She may disqualify an offender and give the runner fouled another trial, or allow a new race to be run.

The Clerk of the Course.—This position deals mainly with the executive part of the meet. The clerk of the course sees that the events are run in order and on scheduled time. She sees that the contestants are called on time for their events. She also assigns the contestants to their places—1st, 2nd, 3rd lane, etc.—for the races.

Starter.—The starter gives the signal. As a rule, the pistol is the signal for the start. The starter should have a blank cartridge pistol, which she fires up into the air. The signals are: (1) “On your mark!” (2) “Get set!” (3) “Pistol.” The starter may penalize for a false start or for beating the pistol, that is, anticipating the pistol shot. She may disqualify if a runner deliberately starts ahead of the mark.

Inspectors.—These officials watch for fouls in a race, such as, impeding a runner; coaching during the race; crossing into another lane; grasping tape in hands; knocking over a hurdle.

Judges at Finish.—These judge the order of the runners at finish line—1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.

Timekeeper.—The timekeeper must use a stopwatch and must stand at the finish line. As soon as a runner touches tape or crosses line the timekeeper stops her watch, which was started at pistol shot. There should be at least one timekeeper for each of the first three runners.

Field Judges.—These judges have entire charge of field events.

Scorer.—Scorer keeps the official places and times of the participants.

Races.

The Start.—First false start is penalized a yard; second, a yard more; third, disqualifies. Any foul during race or start disqualifies. A tape or strand of worsted is stretched (about four feet high) across the track; the winner must breast this tape, arms raised. Every other runner must cross the finish line.

In a hurdle race the hurdles are placed 15 yards from start and 15 yards from finish line, allowing 10 yards in between each hurdle. The hurdler may knock down or over two hurdles and still win, but she is disqualified for the third. No record stands if a hurdle has been knocked over. All other rules for racing hold.

In the relay race the first girl to run starts at pistol; she or each succeeding runner must touch the hand of or hand the baton to the following runner. The last girl running must cross the finish line. No runner may run twice in a relay. All other rules for races are the same.

Jumping.—Each competitor may have three trials, but she may take but one or two of those if she prefers.

Running Broad Jump.—It is a foul to touch the ground with the foot on the farther side of the take-off. This counts as one trial. It is a foul to balk, that is, to run over the take-off without jumping. The longest jump is scored. The distance is measured by a field judge from the take-off to the nearest mark left by jumper.

Standing Broad Jump.—It is a foul to take a preliminary spring or jump or to touch the earth in front of take-off with the foot. Measurement same as running broad jump.

Running Hop, Step, and Jump.—Fouls and measurements same as running broad.

Running High Jump.—Each competitor has three trials for each height. Unless she clears the bar without knocking it off it is a failure. It is counted a trial if the runner balks and does not jump. It is counted a trial to grasp the cross-bar. The bar is fixed at different heights; it is also well to measure bar in middle to determine exact height.

Standing High Jump.—No preliminary jump or spring may be made. Measurement is the same as in running high jump.

Pole Vault.—Each has three trials for each height. A vaulter is allowed to balk—that is, run without vaulting—but two balks count as a try. If the cross-bar is knocked off it is a failure.

Weight Throwing.—Each has three trials. The distance is measured from the toe board to the nearest mark left by shot. It is a foul to touch with any part of person over the toe board or out of circle. It is a foul to throw the shot instead of putting it straight out from the shoulder. It counts as a try to drop the shot.

Base Ball Throw.—Same as shot put.

Basket Ball Throw.—Same as shot put.

Javelin Throw.—Same as shot put.

Discus Throw.—Same as shot put.

Score.—The score for first place is generally 5 points; second place, 3 points; third, 1 point. If there is a tie the competitors divide the points. If tied for first place, the sum of first and second points is divided; same for tie for second place.