What help may an athlete have during a race, and what is banned?
A · Advanced · Rounds, penalties and kit · 3 of 3A coach may speak to an athlete from outside the competition area. Inside it, an athlete may not be paced by anyone outside the race, may not use a phone or radio and may not take advice from an official. Giving or receiving banned help brings a warning from the referee, and a second offence means disqualification from the event.
How it works
- The competition area: the fenced area where the event takes place, open only to the athletes competing and authorised officials.
- Coaches: "Communication between the athletes and their coaches not placed in the competition area" is allowed.
- Pacing: banned when done "by persons not participating in the same race, by athletes lapped or about to be lapped or by any kind of technical device".
- Devices: "Possession or use of video recorders, radios, CD, radio transmitters, mobile phone or similar devices in the competition area" is banned.
- Watches and sensors: a heart rate monitor, speed and distance monitor or stride sensor may be worn, "provided that such device cannot be used to communicate with any other person".
- Technology: apart from shoes that meet the shoe rules, any technology or appliance that gives an advantage the permitted equipment would not is banned.
- Officials: may not give advice or support beyond their job, such as calling out time gaps.
- Other athletes: physical support from another athlete that helps forward progress is banned. Helping someone back to their feet is not.
- Medical help: treatment by the official medical staff on the competition area is allowed, and so are bandages, tape, braces and similar items worn for protection.
- Times: intermediate times may be shown or announced officially. Nobody else in the competition area may call times to athletes without the referee's approval.
- Lights: electronic lights showing the pace of a time or a record are allowed.
- Water: in races of 5000 m or longer, water and sponges may be provided when the weather calls for it.
- The penalty: a warning from the referee, and disqualification from the event if it happens again. For pacing, and for physical support from another athlete, disqualification may come without a warning.
Tricky cases
Can a coach shout instructions from the stand?
Yes. Communication with a coach who is not in the competition area is allowed.
Can an athlete race in a sports watch?
Yes, if it cannot be used to communicate with another person.
An athlete falls and a rival pulls them up. Is either penalised?
No. Helping an athlete to recover to a standing position is not banned assistance.
Can an athlete listen to music through earphones while racing?
No. Radios, phones and similar devices may not be carried or used in the competition area.
Why the rule exists
A race is meant to be run on the athlete's own judgement and effort. The rules have been loosened over the years for things that help everyone equally or that only inform the athlete, such as lights and wrist monitors. They have stayed strict for anything that brings a second person into the race.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 6; TR 17.14 |
| Mass road races | Organisers may allow earphones for runners outside the elite race | TR 1 commentary |
| Deaf or hearing-impaired athletes | Start lights are not treated as assistance | TR 15 commentary |
| Mechanical aids | Allowed only under separate regulations for athletes with an impairment | TR 6.3.4 |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 6 and 17.14 and 17.15. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).