Relay race
A relay race is a track and field event in which athletes run a pre-set distance carrying a baton before passing it onto the next runner. Often, a relay team is a team of four sprinters.
In athletics, the two standard relays are the 4x100 meter relay and the 4x400 meter relay. Traditionally, the 4x400 meter relay finals are the last event of a track meet.
Nowadays, long distance relays have become increasingly popular with runners of all skill-levels. These runners typically have 5 to 36 legs, each between 5 and 10 kilometers (3-6 miles) long.
Relay Race Media
World Orienteering Championship 2008 gold medal winners in relay
A final-leg runner for the University of Wisconsin
Two runners prepare to pass the baton.
Athletes in the Southern Counties 12-Stage Road Relay Championships, Wimbledon Common, London, 1988
Related pages
- Middle distance race
- Long distance race
- Walking race
- Hurdle race
- Sprint
- Steeplechase
- Cross-country race
- Marathon