400 MTRS TRACK & FIELD

Track and field facilities are usually designed as multi-purpose facilities (tracks with playing fields inside).

Sports facilities for track and field athletics are generally used for daily training as well as for staging regional or local competitions. The staging of competitions at higher levels normally entails more extensive requirements for the sports facility, particularly in respect of the infrastructure.

Generally athletics tracks are multi‑­purpose with the interior of the 400m track used as a pitch for soccer, gridiron and rugby. These tracks are also used for non‑sporting events such as concerts and public assemblies.

The IAAF Track and Field Facilities Manual 2008 (the Manual) stipulates dimensions and equipment for international and other high class competition by elite athletes. For club and school competitions, the dimensions of horizontal jumps landing areas, distance to take‑­off boards, the lengths of runways, dimensions of landing areas etc may be reduced. The safety of athletes must be paramount in making such decisions. If you are in doubt as to what is appropriate consult your state sporting association.

Standard competition layout

This diagram below the layout recommended by the IAAF as Standard Competition Area. The field events are evenly distributed over the arena to avoid congestion and to satisfy the needs of the spectators. This layout avoids undue disruption of events by ceremonies and counterbalances the concentration of interest in the finish area.