What happens if an athlete goes off the course?
A · Advanced · The race · 3 of 5An athlete may leave the marked course with the permission of an official and under that official's supervision, as long as they do not shorten the distance by doing so. An athlete who leaves the course and covers less than the full distance is disqualified.
How it works
- Leaving with permission: "An athlete may leave the marked course with the permission and under the supervision of an official, provided that by going off course they do not shorten the distance to be covered."
- Shortening the distance: "If the Referee is satisfied on the report of a Judge or Umpire or otherwise that an athlete has left the marked course thereby shortening the distance to be covered, they shall be disqualified."
- Who sees it: umpires are placed at regular intervals and at key points, and their reports go to the referee.
- Stopping: nothing in the rule forbids an athlete from stopping and starting again on the course.
- The marked course: the part of the road set aside for the race. An athlete may use any of it.
Tricky cases
Can an athlete leave the course to use a toilet?
Yes, with an official's permission and supervision, and provided the distance is not shortened.
An athlete cuts across a pavement on the inside of a bend. What happens?
They are disqualified if the referee is satisfied they left the marked course and shortened the distance.
An athlete takes a wrong turn, realises and comes back to the same point before carrying on. Are they disqualified?
No, not under this rule. They did not shorten the distance. They went further.
Can an athlete stop to stretch a cramp at the side of the road and then continue?
Yes. Stopping on the course is not an offence.
Why the rule exists
The race is over a measured distance, and the only way to be sure every athlete covered it is to keep them on the course that was measured. The permission rule allows for real needs, such as a toilet stop, without opening a way to cut the route.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 54.12; TR 54.13 |
| Track races | An athlete who voluntarily leaves the track may not continue in the race | TR 17.6 |
| A disqualified walker | Must leave the course at once, taking off their bibs on the road | TR 54.7.6 |
From the rule book
World Athletics, Competition and Technical Rules, 2026 Edition, Technical Rules 17.6 and 54.12 and 54.13. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).