What help may an athlete have during the race?
I · Intermediate · Conduct and kit · 3 of 3An athlete may not be paced by anyone who is not in the race, may not carry a phone or radio and may not be physically helped along by another athlete. A watch or heart rate monitor is allowed if it cannot be used to communicate. Banned help brings a warning from the referee and disqualification if it is repeated.
How it works
- 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".
- Athletes in the race: an athlete entered in the same race who sets the pace is not covered by that ban. A pacer in a road race is an entered runner.
- 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".
- Coaches: an athlete may communicate with a coach who is not in the competition area.
- Officials: may not give advice or support beyond their job, such as coaching or calling out time or distance 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 is allowed. An official may also help an athlete to stand or to reach medical help.
- Protection: bandages, tape, belts, supports, wrist coolers and breathing aids may be worn for protection or for medical reasons.
- Clothing from stations: hats, gloves, shoes or clothing handed out at official stations are allowed.
- 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
A friend rides a bicycle beside an athlete and calls out the pace. Is that allowed?
No. That is pacing by a person not taking part in the race.
Can an athlete race in a GPS watch?
Yes, if it cannot be used to communicate with another person.
An athlete collapses near the finish and a rival carries them over the line. Does the finish count?
No, not if the support assisted their forward progress. Helping an athlete back to a standing position is allowed. Carrying them forward is physical support, and both may be disqualified.
Can runners wear headphones in a marathon?
It depends on which runners. The ban on such devices applies to athletes in the elite field and other sections racing under the full rules. The commentary says organisers may allow other runners to use them on a closed course.
Why the rule exists
A race is meant to be completed on the athlete's own judgement and effort. Over a long distance the temptations are greater: a helper could set the pace, block the wind or pass on what rivals are doing. The rules allow what only informs the athlete, such as a wrist monitor. They ban what brings another person into the race.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Athletics rules | As above | TR 6 |
| Mass participation races | Organisers may let runners outside the elite and prize sections use headphones on a closed course | TR 1 commentary |
| Drinks | Covered by their own rule, with a warning and then disqualification | TR 55.8.8 |
| Women paced by men | Allowed in a mixed race. The time goes on the mixed-race record list, not the women-only one | CR 32 (note i) |
| 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 Rule 6 with the commentary printed under it, and the commentary under Technical Rule 1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules 2026 (PDF).