When may a javelin thrower step off the runway?
I · Intermediate · The throw · 1 of 5The thrower must stay on the runway until the javelin has touched the ground. They must then leave from behind the arc and the short lines drawn out from its ends. A thrower who is 4 m or more behind the arc and inside the runway when the javelin lands is treated as having left correctly already.
How it works
- Wait for the landing: it is a failure "if the athlete leaves the circle or runway before the implement has touched the ground".
- Leave from behind the arc: it is a failure if, when leaving, the athlete's first contact with the parallel lines or the ground outside the runway "is not completely behind the white line of the arc or the lines drawn from the extremities of the arc".
- The four-metre line: once the javelin has touched the ground, an athlete is also treated as having left correctly on reaching a line across the runway "four metres back from the end points of the throwing arc". The line may be painted or shown by markers beside the runway.
- Already behind it: an athlete who is behind that line and inside the runway at the moment the javelin lands "shall be considered to have left the runway correctly".
- Why the four-metre line is there: the commentary says it is there to speed up the judging, so that the flag can go up and measuring can begin. It is not another way to fail.
- When the trial is complete: for the judge's flag, a throw is complete once the athlete has left the runway.
Tricky cases
A thrower releases the javelin, stumbles and steps over the arc while it is still in the air. Is it a failure?
Yes. They touched the ground beyond the arc and left before the javelin landed.
A thrower stops 5 m behind the arc and stands there as the javelin lands. Do they have to walk back before the flag goes up?
No. They are already behind the four-metre line and inside the runway, so they have left correctly.
After the javelin lands, a thrower steps sideways off the runway level with the arc's end line. Is that correct?
It depends on where the foot comes down. The first contact outside the runway must be completely behind the arc and the lines drawn from its ends.
Why the rule exists
A thrower who may tumble over the arc after letting go can run in faster and release later. Holding them behind the arc until the javelin is down shows that the throw was made under control. The four-metre line saves time, because most throwers stop well short and should not have to walk the length of the runway before the judges can act.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 32.17.1; TR 32.17.3 |
| Shot put, discus and hammer | The athlete leaves from the back half of the circle | TR 32.17.2 |
| An interrupted trial | The athlete may leave in any direction | TR 32.15 commentary |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 25.8.3, 32.15 and 32.17 with the commentary printed under them. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).