Athletic Training

PREPARING FOR ATHLETIC CONTESTS fl-7 In all races of a quarter of a mile or more there are certain rules which must be observed by the competitors. One is that of passing a runner. This should never be done on the inside, because it is contrary to the rules, and because it is dangerous. The man who does so is not only likely to be disqualified but may be spiked as well. The rule of passing is that a man must be· two clean strides ahead of a competitor before he can cut in and take the pole. As a rule, referees do ·not insist upon the strict observance of this rule. If a man can pass another without shortening his opponent's stride or making him slow up the referee will not usually in– terfere. A further precaution which all runners should take is against jostling. Don't jostle, because the athlete usually does himself more harm than his competitor. In a long-distance race the thing to be most carefully avoided is that of being boxed. A runner is boxed when he is hemmed in by other runners on three sides so that he can– not get out without fouling some of his op– ponents or dropping back and then passing