In this event teams of four runners take part. Each runner runs one leg of the race, and once the runner has completed their leg, he/she passes a baton onto the next runner in the team. Passing the baton must take place within a demarcated 20m changeover zone.
4 x 100m relay
The 4 × 100m relay is run in lanes around one 400m lap of the track with each runner completing 100 metres. Passing the baton requires extensive practice as, to save time, the next runner extends an outstretched hand behind them, waiting for the approaching runner to give them the baton. The runner who has just completed their leg must be sure that the next runner has proper grip of the baton before letting go. Dropping the baton or not passing it on within the permitted zone means disqualification.
4 x 400m relay
The 4 x 400m relay follows the same format as the 4 x 100m, except that each participant runs 400m. At the highest level, the runners complete the first 500m in lanes, so the starting points are staggered over a larger distance than in an individual 400m event.
Each runner carries a baton, which must be passed on within the designated changeover box. The first transfer is made within the staggered lane lines, while the second and third transfers are usually made with the runners lined up across the track, which helps make for smooth baton transfers. Unlike the 100m relay, runners in the 4 x 400m relay have time to look back and wait for the approaching runner, so mistakes during baton transferral – and therefore disqualification – are rarer.
Statistics
The current world record for the 4 x 100m relay is 37.10 seconds, set by the Jamaican team at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
The current men's 4 x 400m relay world record is held by a team from the USA, with a time of 2:54.29, set in 1993.
The current women's 4 x 400m relay world record is held by the USSR, with a time of 3:15.17, set in 1988.