Understanding Relay Running: History, Race Types and Techniques

Meaning of Relay Running – Relay running is one of the friendly sports branches in the community. This relay race is often done in physical education lessons at school. Students will practice and even run a relay race.

In doing so, high concentration is required. In addition, running speed should also be considered because it is an important thing. As well as requiring excellent team coordination between one runner and another runner who is a teammate. This is done to obtain maximum results.

Previously, what is the meaning of relay running? This article will discuss the sport of relay running. Starting from the understanding of relay running, history, types of races to the techniques needed.

Meaning of Relay Run

What is the meaning of relay running? Relay runs are also often referred to as relay runs. The reason is that relay runs are done in a continuous manner.

Therefore, a relay race is a race that is done in groups. Generally there can be 2 to 4 people in the group. Everyone in the group will get a turn to finish.

Then, what is the meaning of relay running? Relay running is one of the sports of running. Relay running is one of the athletic branches.

As explained earlier, the relay runs will be played alternately. Therefore, this relay race requires a team. Teams or groups are used to pass the baton, from one runner to the next.

In the relay race number, there is a specificity. The specificity will not be found in other birth numbers. That is to move the stick while running quickly.

The baton transfer will happen to the next runner from the previous runner. In a big competition, generally team members or groups consist of 4 people. This relay running sport looks easy if we observe it.

However, actually not only technique is needed in relay running. However, there are some other things that should also be considered. Such as the speed between runners, agility and skill.

Those things are certainly important in giving or receiving a stick. The place or zone used to move the stick has also been determined. The adjustment between distance and speed should also be noted by every runner.

The Meaning of Relay According to the Experts

The following is the meaning of relay running according to some experts:

1. KBBI (Big Indonesian Dictionary)

In KBBI, the word relay goes into the athletic category. The meaning of the relay is a double race by dividing the distance between the participants. At the end of the part, each person hands over an object (for example a stick or a flag) to the next participant.

2. Guthrie (2008)

The meaning of relay running is a run that combines two things. It is a combination of speed coordination with the cooperation of the runner team. The purpose is to help complete the tasks that have been given. The task of this is a stick.

3. Irwansyah (2006)

According to Irwansyah, the meaning of a relay race is a run performed by four athletes. Relay runs are used using batons. Relay sticks used in relay races are generally made of fiberglass or wood.

4. Moh. Crazy(2007)

The meaning of relay running according to Moh. Gilang is one of the numbers in the running race. At the athletic competition should be done alternately or alternately. In a relay team, there are four runners.

The four runners are runner 1, runner 2, runner 3, and runner 4. They will move sticks to each other while running. It starts from the first runner, until the next runner.

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History of Relay Running

After knowing the meaning of relay running, the history of relay running will be discussed further. Apparently, relay running has been around for a long time. The relay running movements have been done before.

Some of the movements in the relay race include walking, running, throwing, catching and jumping. The movement is of course often performed by humans in their daily activities.

The year this sport started is not certain. However, this relay sport started because it was inspired by the story of the 3 tribes. The tribes are the Aztecs, the Incas and the Maya.

The movements are performed by the tribes in completing a mission. The three bangs aini tribes use a technique, namely the continuous running technique. The purpose is to convey an important news that has been known for a long time.

The relay race is inspired by how to complete those missions. The people of the Ancient Greeks also used objects in the form of torches that were given continuously. It was done during the ancestral worship ritual.

In addition, also continue the sacred fire to his new jurisdiction. Since there is a ritual tradition that uses torch fire as a relay, the Ancient Greeks began to recognize it as a sport. In addition, the Ancient Greeks also had a competition or Olympics about the relay, they called it the Olympic flame.

In a race, Olympics or championship, the type of relay running that is often done is the 4 x 100 meter relay. In addition, the 4 x 400 meter category is also contested quite often. However, there are also some who organize relay races more than that.

The Olympics or the 4 x 100 meter category relay race and the 4 x 400 meter category were first held in 1992. Held in Stockholm, Sweden. However, at that time the race was only reserved for men.

The relay race for women started in 1928. Then in 1972, it was held again. The race was held for the 4 x 100 meter category and the 4 x 400 meter category.

Baton Relay

This relay baton will later be given in turn from one runner to the next runner in a group. This stick will later be carried until it reaches the finish line. The size of this relay running stick also has its own provisions.

Like the size that should fit and fit the grip of runners in general. Then, what are the other provisions of the relay baton? Here is the explanation:

  1.       Relay running sticks have a length of around 29 cm to 30 cm
  2.       The relay running stick has a diameter of 3.81 cm for adult size. As for children, the diameter is around 2.54 cm.
  3.       The maximum weight of this stick is 50 grams.
  4.       Relay running sticks are generally made of several materials. Such as fine pipes, metal, wood, and other materials that have a hole in the middle.
  5.       Relay batons must be colored. The purpose is to be easily seen by runners from afar when carried by other runners.

Field for Relay Run

The number of strips is around 6 to 10 pieces. As for the indoor field field , the track length is around 200 meters. Consists of a total of 4 to 8 strips. The shape of the field is round like an egg.

The zone used for changeovers in the relay run is only 10 meters in front of the start line . In addition, there is also 10 meters behind the start line .

Types of Relay Races

What are the types of relay races? Here is the explanation:

1. Run a long distance relay

Long-distance relay running is currently gaining popularity. This race was also followed by many runners from various levels. Like at the amateur level, beginners to professionals.

The length of this long-distance relay race can reach tens of kilometers. This relay race generally has 5 to 36 stages or legs. Each stage or leg has a distance between members of 5 and 10 km.

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2. Run a relay between countries

Relay races between countries have also been held. In 2017, the IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held. At this championship, a relay race was held from various countries.

This competition will pit teams or groups between countries. Contestants also consist of a mixture of men and women. The distance used in this race is 4 x 2 km or 2 km for each runner.

3. Medley relay

This type of relay running championship has different distances for each runner. The distance of 4 stages or legs in a long distance medley relay race consists of several distances. Namely 1200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and 1,600 meters.

Whereas the short distance medley relay usually consists of 4 stages or legs. Stage or leg distance varies. That is 400 meters, 200 meters, 800 meters. Other variants consist of 200 meters, 100 meters and 400 meters.

Techniques in Relay Running

Relay technique

This relay race generally starts with a squat. After starting, the runners will run away from the starting line line . However, there are other things that should be noted.

In addition to running speed, runners should also pay attention to technique in giving and receiving sticks. And pay attention to how the replacement process is.

1. Stick holding technique

In holding the baton, there is a technique that must be understood. Techniques like this are useful so that the stick does not fall easily. In this technique, the stick will be held at the end, only half of it. Half of the baton will be left to be held by the recipient of the next relay baton, in the form of another runner.

2. The technique of handing over and receiving the cane

In a race, a special area is needed to hand over and receive the baton. Sticks should be done in that specific area. the area is called wishel. The length of the wissel area is only about 20 meters.

Runners should be able to take advantage of the area. It is used for changing sticks. The change of cane should also be done as quickly and accurately as possible.

Runners who hand over the baton outside the switch will be disqualified, for breaking the rules. As for the stick handover technique, there are three types of techniques. The technique consists of downsweep, upsweep, and push pass. Here is the explanation:

a. Downsweep technique

The downsweep submission technique is a stick submission technique performed from above. This technique is performed when the recipient’s palm is facing upwards. The runner who will give the baton must hand over the baton from the side of the first runner.

The purpose is to make it easier to see and receive the stick. The cane recipient’s thumb should be positioned open. And the other fingers close together.

The cane receiver can receive the cane by turning his back. In addition, it can also be done without seeing when the baton is being handed over by the previous runner.

b. Upsweep technique

In this technique, handing the stick will be done from the bottom up. This is done when the recipient’s palm is facing downwards. When receiving the cane, it must be ensured that the thumb is wide open.

In addition, the other finger positions will be closed. It is the same as in the previous technique. The cane recipient is also welcome to turn towards the back. However, not looking back is also not a problem.

c. Push pass technique

This one technique will be done by lifting the arm towards the back. The way is with the palm to the side, then the thumb will point downwards. The runner will hand over the baton by holding it vertically. Then push it with the palm of your hand.

That is a brief review on the meaning of relay running, the history of relay running, the types of races and the techniques that runners should do.