Every measurement related to track is decided by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (from 1912-2001) and International Association of Athletics Federations (from 2001-2009 both were known as IAAF) now it is known as World Athletics. All national, international, and Olympic competitions are held on this track. The shape of the track and field is oval i.e. there is a track and the inner part of the track area is called the field. The track measures 400 metres.
Materials required for making track
Table of Contents
- Measuring Tape (100 Meter)
- Nails (large nails = 15-20)
- Lime Powder
- Hammer
- Steel Wire
- Thread
How to find the radius of the track?
To make a track, we need to know the radius and length of the track. As we know the track is oval and it is made up of two semicircular curves, to draw this curve we need to know its radius. The length of the track is determined by the IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federations) and measures 84.39 meters. As we know the track is 400 meters long. Therefore, the runner has to run only 400 meters and not more than 400 meters. Therefore, along with the running radius, we also have to find the measurement of the marked radius. To make a track, it is necessary to find the measurement of the marked radius.
As we all know-
2C + 2S = 400
2C + 2X84.39 =400
2C + 168.78 = 400
2C = 400 – 168.78
2C = 231.22
C = 231.22/2
C = 115.61 {As we know, C = πR}
πR = 115.61
R = 115.61/π
Value of π (Pi) = 22/7
π = 22/7
R = 115.61X7/22
R = 809.27/22
R = 36.78 (RUNNING RADIUS)
MARKING RADIUS= RUNNING RADIUS-0.10 CM
MR = 36.78 – 0.10
MR = 36.68
Types of Track
Two types of tracks are made: tracks with borders, i.e. tracks with hard borders, and tracks without borders, i.e. tracks with lime borders. If we have to mark a track with a hard boundary line, then we will subtract 20 centimeters from the running radius, after that, we will know the marking radius. And if we have to mark a lime track, then we will subtract 10 cm from the RUNNING RADIUS, then we will know the MARKING RADIUS.
The direction of the track should always be north and south. As we know there are 8 lanes in the track in which the runner runs.
The lane width of the track is 1.22 meters. The width of the lane strip measures 5 centimeters. To make a track we need to know the area. To find this out, we will find the length and breadth of the entire field in the following manner.
Formula to find length-
= S+(2XR)+(16X1.22)+10
= 84.39+(2X36.68)+(16X1.22)+10
= 84.39+73.36+19.52+10
Length=187.27 meters
Formula to find width-
=(2XR)+(16X1.22)+10
=(2X36.68)+(16X1.22)+10
=73.36+19.52+10
Width=102.88 meters
S=strait
R=radius
Since there are 8 lanes in the track and each runner has to cover a distance of 400 meters to run, it is mandatory to provide STAGGER in each lane so that the runners in each lane cover the same distance during the competition. It is mandatory to mark the competition starting line for every event on the track.
Formula to find STAGGER-
W X (N-1) – 0.10X2π
W=WIDTH OF LANE
N= Lane Number
In place of N, the number of the lane for which STAGGER is to be removed will be kept.
As we know, there are many types of tracks, mainly grass tracks, sander tracks, clay tracks, synthetic tracks, etc. Of which the grass track has no hard boundary lines. But sander track, clay track, and synthetic track are tracks with hard boundaries. After making the track, there is a need to make a seating gallery around it for the spectators to sit.