100-Meter Dash Rules

The Start of the Race

In a 100-meter dash, runners start from a crouched position with their fingertips just behind the
starting line and their feet propped up on starting blocks behind them. If the competition is
submitting race results to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the
starting blocks must be equipped with an approved false-start control apparatus. This apparatus
sends an audio signal to an official wearing headphones if the runner's foot leaves the
blocks before the starter's gun is fired. The race begins with the starter's gun, after
the starter has announced "on your marks" and "set." If a runner leaves his blocks before the gun,
that runner is called for a false start and is disqualified from the race.

Running within Assigned Lanes

Eight to 10 running lanes cover the width of the track, and the lanes are numbered with the left-
most inside lane assigned number 1. The IAAF specifies that the lanes be between 48 and 49.25
inches wide and the NCAA specifies 42 inches. Runners are required to stay within their
assigned lane throughout the race. A runner is disqualified if he crosses into another
runner's lane and impedes that runner's progress.

The Finish of the Race

The finish line is a white line, 5 centimeters wide, that runs perpendicular to the lane lines. When
any part of the runner's body crosses the front plane of the finish line, that runner has
finished the race. After the runners complete the race, they are ranked by the order in which they
crossed the finish line. Photo-finish equipment should be used at all IAAF-approved races to
help determine the outcome of closely contested races.