Athletics / Guide 11
Relays
World Athletics · 2026In short
Exchange zones · Dropped batons and team order
Exchange zones
The baton must be passed entirely inside the takeover zone; its position, rather than the athletes' bodies, determines legality. Zones are 30 m for 4 × 100 m and 4 × 200 m, and 20 m for 4 × 400 m. The receiving athlete must begin the movement leading to the exchange from inside the zone.
Dropped batons and team order
The athlete who drops the baton must recover it without shortening the distance or obstructing others. Each runner completes only one leg and must follow the declared order. The mixed 4 × 100 m and 4 × 400 m order in this book is man, woman, man, woman. A runner must carry the baton across the finish.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent explanations of the supplied World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules, including amendments through 1 July 2026. Event-specific regulations may add conditions. References use PDF viewer page numbers; guide numbers are editorial.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗