Who runs against whom in a combined event?
I · Intermediate · How the events differ · 6 of 7In every event but the last, athletes are put into heats or groups with others of similar ability in that event. In the last event the heats are arranged so that the final one holds the leaders on points. Each heat or group should have five or more athletes and never fewer than three.
How it works
- Similar performers together: in each event except the last, heats and groups are arranged so that athletes "with similar performances in each individual event" over a set earlier period are in the same heat or group.
- Who arranges them: the technical delegates or the combined events referee, who may also rearrange any group.
- When the timetable is tight: the heats or groups for the next event are arranged as athletes become available from the one before.
- Numbers: "Preferably five or more, and never less than three, athletes shall be placed in each heat or group."
- The last event: the heats are arranged so that the last one contains the leading athletes after the event before it.
- Lanes in the last event: the starting positions or lanes for the last event may be decided by the technical delegates or the referee as they think best.
- Lanes in the 200 m and 400 m: the athletes are ranked and the lanes drawn in the same way as for the individual races.
- Other events: positions are drawn by lot.
Tricky cases
Is the final heat of the decathlon 1500 m made up of the fastest 1500 m runners?
No. It holds the leaders on points after nine events.
Can a heat have two athletes?
No. Never fewer than three.
Does the winner of the final heat of the last event win the competition?
No. The competition is won on total points. An athlete can lose the last race and still have the highest total.
Why the rule exists
A time in the tables is worth the same whoever it was run against, but an athlete runs faster with someone to chase. Grouping by ability in each event gives everyone a fair race. Putting the leaders together at the end means the athletes fighting for the title can see one another, and the crowd can follow the result as it happens.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules, combined events | As above | TR 39.7; TR 39.8.5 |
| Individual track events | Heats are seeded from performance lists and later from placings and times | TR 20.3 |
| Lanes for the 200 m and 400 m | Drawn in ranked groups, as in the individual races | TR 20.4.4; TR 20.4.5 |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 20.3, 20.4, 39.7 and 39.8.5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).