How long is the runway, and how big is the sand pit?
Officials' detail · The jump · 1 of 2The runway is at least 40 m long and 1.22 m wide. The board is 1.22 m long and 0.20 m wide. The pit is 2.75 m to 3 m wide and filled with soft damp sand level with the board. The take-off line is 1 m to 3 m from the near end of the pit.
How it works
- The runway: at least 40 m from the take-off line, and 45 m where conditions permit. It is 1.22 m wide and marked by white lines.
- The board: rectangular, of wood or another rigid material that spikes grip, 1.22 m long, 0.20 m wide and no more than 0.10 m deep. It is white.
- Beyond the board: the ground or blanking board immediately past the take-off line is in a colour other than white, so the line stands out.
- The pit: 2.75 m to 3 m wide, placed so that the middle of the runway lines up with the middle of the pit.
- The sand: "soft damp sand, the top surface of which shall be level with the take-off board".
- Board to pit: the take-off line is between 1 m and 3 m from the nearer end of the landing area.
- Length of the pit: at least 10 m from the take-off line to the far end of the landing area, and 11 m where possible.
- Markers: an athlete may place one or two markers beside the runway, not on it.
- Slope: the runway may drop by no more than 1 in 1000 over its last 40 m in the direction of running.
The run to the board is the approach run of the glossary.
Tricky cases
Can an athlete use a shorter run-up than the runway allows?
Yes. The rule sets a minimum length for the runway, not for the run.
Can a marker be put on the runway to show where to start?
No. Markers go alongside the runway. Only the high jump allows them on it.
Is running outside the white lines of the runway a failure?
No. The long jump rule says so directly.
Why the rule exists
Sand shows a clear mark and gives a soft landing, and keeping it level with the board means the jump is measured on one flat plane. A runway wide enough for one athlete and long enough for a full sprint lets speed, which matters most in this event, be used in full.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 29.1 to 29.7; TR 30.4; TR 30.5; TR 25.3.1 |
| Older tracks | Runways built before 2004 may be up to 1.25 m wide | TR 29.1 (note) |
| Pits for visually impaired athletes | The commentary recommends a wider pit of 3.50 m at new facilities | TR 29.6 commentary |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 25.3.1, 29.1 to 29.7 and 30.3 to 30.5 and Figures TR29. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).