Lane 8? No problem!

Posted October 17th, 2007 at 12:30 PM by Jimson Lee

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips

The first thing I did before my 200m heat at the 2007 World Masters Athletics Championships in Riccione, Italy was check the track surface to determine which spikes and spike needles to use. The second thing was to check is the size of the curve, or where the curve meets the straightaway.

Initially, they had me in Lane 1. I measured the track and discovered that the curve was 122 meters with a 78 meter straightaway. That’s a pretty “fat” track, so Lane 1 did not bother me. (I would later be reassigned to Lane 2.)

Lane assignments for the 200 meters and 400 meters have been a topic of discussion for sprinters. The curve produces a biomechanical disadvantage due to centrifugal force, that is, the outward pull or force. This force causes sprinters to use extra energy in forcing outward to get around the curved track.

An equal amount of centripetal force, or inward pull, is necessary to resist the outward pull. Thus the outward pull can be reduced by:

using banked curves, as seen on some indoor facilities.
leaning into the curve.
shortening your stride, especially your left leg.
reducing your speed.

I’ve always liked Lane 8 for a 200m race as it forces you to run scared and focus on your own race. As well, it offers the biomechanical advantage of a gentler curve. My theory with the outer lanes has always been – the wider the curve, the more of a straight line; therefore, the less centrifugal force that is required.

However, Lane 8 does put you at a psychological disadvantage since you can’t see your opponents. The middle 4 lanes, Lanes 3, 4, 5, 6 are the preferred lanes as they offer both a biomechanical and psychological advantage.

Even so, for those of you who draw lane 8 in your next 200 meter race, promptly remind yourself of Xavier “The X-man” Carter (see photo above) in Lausanne in 2006, running a time of 19.63 seconds in Lane 8 and beating Tyson Gay in the process. Or recall Michael Johnson winning the 200 meters in the 1992 Olympic Trials from Lane 8 and then yelling to the crowd afterwards, “…out in Lane 8!”

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