In Athletics there are two types of relays that you can encounter: The 4×100 Meters and the 4×400 Meters. For the 4×100 Meters it’s much more simple as there are four sprinters that each run 100 Meters on their assigned lane in order to complete a whole lap. Meanwhile they carry a baton that has to be passed to the next runner in a designated area which is placed 10 meter in front of the end of each 100 Meters and behind it.If the baton is not exchanged in that area the team will be disqualified. Due to the athlete’s running at almost full speed baton exchange mistakes can occur regularly and a very efficient exchange can make up a lack of speed. The 4×400 Meters traditionally complete the track and field pogramme at most athletics events. Here four athlethes have to run one lap per team. In the first laps, they run in assigned lanes but at the back straight of the second lap runners can break into the inside lane. For the second and third exchanges they have to line up in the same order again as they are placed when 200 Meters are remaining for the current lap.

History

The concept comes from Ancient Greece as message sticks were delievered by couriers. The modern relays should remind of charity races in the 1880s by New York Fire Services where they exchanged red pennants were exchanged after every 300 yards. At the Olympics it was first included in 1908 and it consisted of 2×200 Meters, 1×400 Meters, 1X800 Meters. In 1912, the first Olympic 4×400 Meters took place for men and in 1972 for Women. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, a mixed 4×400 was even introduced, including two men and two men.

Records

For both 4×100 and 4×400 the US has always been the most dominante country by winning 15 out of 19 Olympic titles from 1920 to 2000 whereas Jamaica won the 2012 and 2016 Olympic titles with Usain Bolt leading the 4×100 Meters.The world record for 4×100 Meters is held by the US since 5th May 2024 with a time of 37:40 which would be an average of 9.25 seconds. For the 4×400 it’s again the USA who ran the distance in 2:45.43 at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Key Challenges in Relay Races

• Baton Handoffs, as already shown, can determine the outcome of the race and there are different techniques. For 4×100 it’s usually a blind exchange where the athlete doesn’t look back or there can also be a sighted exchange which requires a good timing and a lot of practice. If the handoff is executed poorly, the team will loose time or they will even drop the baton which typically leads to a loose
• Certain Runners are assigned to specific legs as every runner has different strengths. For example, at 4×100 Meters one would put the athlete with a fast start on the first leg to get an early lead whereas the fastest sprinter would be put at the final leg to fininsh strong.
• Relay Races require Teamwork and therefore require unique camaraderie among sprinters who are normally competitors. The teams will train extensively to fine-tune handoffs and establish trust among the athletes

https://worldathletics.org/disciplines/relays/4×100-metres-relay

https://worldathletics.org/records/toplists/relays/4×100-metres-relay/all/men/senior/2024