Why do track races involve so much strategy? Shouldn’t runners just go at whatever pace gives them the best time?

Question

Why do track races involve so much strategy? Shouldn’t runners just go at whatever pace gives them the best time?

In: 7

Answer 1

In addition to the drafting that others have mentioned, positioning affects how far you actually run in a race. The outside lane of a 400m track [is actually about 450m](https://runhive.com/tools/running-track-lane-distances). On the flip side, outer lanes probably have less traffic in a pack race, so it’s easier to go outside to pass. If you were just running alone for time and distance the inside lane is faster and shorter, but in a pack you have to make decisions based on how folks are positioning.