Last updated: 4 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
Lane distances
Lap distance (lane)
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Frequently asked questions
Why is lane 8 so much longer?
Each lane out adds about 7–8m per lap on the bends. Lane 8 is roughly 53m longer per lap than lane 1, which is why the staggered start lines them up fairly.
Why do staggered starts exist on the track?
Staggered starts compensate for the fact that outer lanes are longer than inner lanes around a curve. Without the stagger, runners in outer lanes would have to cover extra distance to finish at the same line, so the start positions are offset to make every lane's total distance equal.