Track and Field running consists of 8 events: 100 meter spring, 200 meter spring (400, 800, 1,500
meter sprint), marathon, hurdles and relays.
    The 100 meter sprint. Athletes run at full speed beginning at the
sound of a starter's pistol. If an athlete makes two false starts, he or she is disqualified.
    200 meter spring. In this event athletes start several meters apart in adjoining lanes in what is called a
staggered start, this is to compensate for running on a curved track and ensure that each athlete runs the
same distance.
    400, 800, 1,500 meter sprint. In the 400 meter race, the runners must stay in their lanes for
the entire race. In the 800 and 1,500 meter races, runners must stay in their lanes for only the first half lap.
    Marathon. The marathon begins and finishes inside the stadium. In between the start and the finish, the
runners race along city roads for 42 km.
    Hurdles. In hurdles, ten hurdles made of wood and metal are placed in each lane on the track, and the athletes run a 100 m. hurdle jumping hurdles that are 84 cm high, a 400 meter hurdle in which the hurdles are 76.2 cm high. Men run a 110 race with
hurdles 106.7 cm high. A 400 meter hurdle with hurdles 91.4 cm high. Runners are not penalized for knocking
down hurdles.
    Relays. Four runners make up a relay team, and each runner runs for a quarter of the race's
distance. When each runner finishes his or her leg of the race, he or she passes a baton to the next runner.
The baton must be exchanged within a set distance of 10 meters, called the exchange zone. Teams are
disqualified if the baton is passed incorrectly.