The Lemon Fool

I have no doubt that this has been answered before but I have just noticed that running tracks seem to be in an anti clockwise direction. If that is so, is there are reason for that?

Dod

Dod101 wrote:I have no doubt that this has been answered before but I have just noticed that running tracks seem to be in an anti clockwise direction. If that is so, is there are reason for that?

Google finds lots of answers, with the most common one being that right-footed people get an advantage because their stronger leg takes the longer steps.

Scott.

swill453 wrote:

Dod101 wrote:I have no doubt that this has been answered before but I have just noticed that running tracks seem to be in an anti clockwise direction. If that is so, is there are reason for that?

Google finds lots of answers, with the most common one being that right-footed people get an advantage because their stronger leg takes the longer steps.

Scott.

I am hopeless at looking at Google but is the obvious place to look I am sure. I would be the obvious outsider because I would always kick with my left foot given the option. I am though right handed. I have always found it a bit strange. Anyway we have still not got the answer. Why are running tracks usually anti clockwise (if they are of course)?

Dod

Dod101 wrote:

swill453 wrote:

Dod101 wrote:I have no doubt that this has been answered before but I have just noticed that running tracks seem to be in an anti clockwise direction. If that is so, is there are reason for that?

Google finds lots of answers, with the most common one being that right-footed people get an advantage because their stronger leg takes the longer steps.

Scott.

I am hopeless at looking at Google but is the obvious place to look I am sure. I would be the obvious outsider because I would always kick with my left foot given the option. I am though right handed. I have always found it a bit strange. Anyway we have still not got the answer. Why are running tracks usually anti clockwise (if they are of course)?

Dod

Does kicking with the left foot still mean what it used to?

I think the main reason for tracks to be widdershins these days is beacuse it is specified by the IOC.

The original why of that is possibly because the majority of humans are right side dominant and hence heavier on that side making it easier to have that weight on the outside (in addition to the stronger leg idea)? Not sure - never noticed much difference in turning either way.

Well I am no left footer in the sense I assume you mean. In fact, I had forgotten about the expression. Just interested to know if there were any particular reasons for running tracks going anti clockwise.

Dod

Dod101 wrote:Well I am no left footer in the sense I assume you mean. In fact, I had forgotten about the expression. Just interested to know if there were any particular reasons for running tracks going anti clockwise.

Is there a reason why you don't accept my earlier answer? That they're designed that way to give right-footers an advantage.

Scott.

swill453 wrote:

Dod101 wrote:Well I am no left footer in the sense I assume you mean. In fact, I had forgotten about the expression. Just interested to know if there were any particular reasons for running tracks going anti clockwise.

Is there a reason why you don't accept my earlier answer? That they're designed that way to give right-footers an advantage.

Scott.

Actually, I do find that difficult to accept. It may be of course that the direction of a running track is to suit the majority of runners but I find it difficult to accept that a track runs anti clockwise in order to give right footers an advantage, or, to put it the other way, to disadvantage left footers.

Anyway, no matter. It seems that it is a matter of no great consequence.

Dod

for what ever reason it makes sense to legislate for all tracks - at least for competition - to all run the same way, so as records and times etc are performed in as similar conditions as possible.

maybe it was a toss of a coin in the dim and distant mists of time/

what direction did Ancient Greek tracks run? assuming they did tracks!

https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... _Clockwise

BoE