The following rules and etiquette have been agreed by Committee for the benefit of all using the track.

1) Be aware at all times of what is happening around you.  Coaches must ensure all athletes are aware of the track etiquette.

2) When training at distances in excess of 100 metres always run in an anti-clockwise direction.

3) Athletes, on completing their lap or rep, should immediately step off to the infield beside the track or move out into lanes 7 and 8 being aware of any athletes using these lanes for straight line sprinting.

4) When starting a lap or rep, care should be taken not to impede or restrict an athlete already in progress.  Athletes should not stand in any lanes until they are ready to start their run.

5) Good manners and thought for other fellow athletes should be exercised at all times irrespective of age.

6) When overtaking an athlete with a lap or rep. in progress, the overtaking athlete must overtake on the outside leaving sufficient space and not cutting to the inside until he or she is one stride clear of the athlete being overtaken.

7) Athletes and Coaches should not cross the in-field of the track at any time as throwing events / training maybe in progress.

8) Use of starting blocks on the track should take account of other athletes and groups using the track at the time.  Careful consideration should be made of which and how many lanes to use e.g. use of inner lanes for bend starts may not be appropriate when many other groups are using the track during club training sessions.  Avoid using lanes 1 and 2 for block starts.

9) The finishing area should be kept clear at all times [a 10-15metre clear zone maybe needed].

10) Lane 1 should only be used where possible for timed runs only. This is to avoid excessive wear of the track surface.

11) In group training warm up drills should be confined to five lanes only, and where possible, not lanes 1,2 or 3.

12) Any athlete shouting the term “TRACK” should be aware that it is only used when someone is not aware of your oncoming presence putting them in danger. It should not be used for overtaking other athletes.

13) Athletes are not permitted to wear ear/headphones whilst using the track (or infield), at any time (including warm-up) in the interests of health and safety.

14) The use of Medicine Balls for conditioning in the track area is restricted to jumps and throws run-ups. Medicine Balls should not endanger other users by being thrown towards or in the running lanes.

15) Coaches should always liaise with other coaches to ensure there is adequate space on the track for their session and that prior to commencing, they have assessed the hazards and it is safe to train.

BAC Executive Committee,  January 2025