Eli5: in track running (800 m, for example), how isn’t the runner on the outer lane in a disadvantage? I know that the starting position is compensated, but…

Question

…but at one point, all runners get together on the inner lane, which means that the outside runner needs to add the width of the track to their total distance, right?

In: 0

Answer 1

Not the width of the track because they don’t just run completely sideways , but there is a bit of compensation needed yes. In a 1500m where they break to the inside immediately you can see the curve they use to account for this.