Starter duties - in brief

What does the Starter’s Assistant (Marksman) do before a race?

• Call-up the competitors approximately 10 minutes before the race is due to start
• Advise athletes of heats/lanes allotted or draw for lanes if not pre-arranged
• Check clothing, shoes and numbers
• Issue leg numbers for right leg of shorts if required for photo finish
• Advise athletes of qualifying conditions if heats are to be held; likewise for quarter/semi finals.
• Advise Starter of number of heats.
• Check positioning of starting blocks
• Advise athletes of ‘break points’ for echelon starts.
• Tell the athletes to “Remove Track Suits” approximately 3 minutes before the race is due to start, marshal them to approximately 3 metres behind their start line in their correct lane.
• As soon as the athletes are ready and not before the race is timed to start the designated Starter’s Assistant for this duty must advise the starter clearly (usually by raising a noticeable clipboard above their head).

What does the Starter do?

• Start the race after receiving ‘clearance’ from the Chief Starter’s Assistant and alerting the Timekeepers.
• Recall the athletes if there is a false start.
• Recall the athletes if there has been a block failure.
• Issue warnings / disqualifications to the athletes.
• Remain alert to the duties performed by Starter’s Assistants.
• Be responsibe for keeping the meeting to the timetable
• Liaise with Photofinish team as required.

What does the Starter’s Assistant (Marksman) do at the start of and during a race?

• Watch the start line on straight starts for hand faults.
• Watch lanes on echelon starts for hand faults etc.
• Watch ‘inside’ athletes from rear on straight starts for hand faults etc. i.e. hands inside lanes.
• Watch ‘outside’ athletes from rear on straight starts for hand faults etc. i.e. hands inside lanes.