Can you use watch alarms in track meets?

I believe so, yes. I think that would be similar to a GPS pace tracker or any other sort of outside aid.

That was unclear.

I meant to say I believe it would be illegal.

You could ask an official

Sliding Scale wrote:

That was unclear.

I meant to say I believe it would be illegal.

GPS watches aren't illegal idiot.

USATF Rules For Competition: Rule 144 Assistance to Athletes

2. Except as provided in road races (Rule 241) and in long distance walking events (Rule 232), during the progress of an event a competitor who has received any assistance whatsoever may be disqualified by the Referee. “Assistance” is the conveying of advice, information or direct help to a competitor by any means, including a technical device.

3. The following shall be considered examples of assistance:

(a) Pacing in running or walking events by persons not participating in the event, by competitors lapped or about to be lapped, or by any kind of technical device other than those permitted under Rule 144.4(d).

(b) The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication; however, those competing in championships for awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices.

(c) The use of any technology or appliance that provides the user with an unfair advantage which would not have been obtainable using equipment complying with the Rules.

4. The following shall not be considered assistance:

(d) Any kind of personal safeguard (i.e., bandage, tape, belt, support, wrist cooler, breathing aid, etc.) for medical purposes. The Referee shall have the authority to verify any case should that be desired.

(f) Personally carrying or wearing articles of equipment such as wrist chronometers, heart rate monitors, speed distance monitors, stride sensors or similar devices during a race provided that such device cannot be used to communicate with any other person.

Whatever the rules (it's a no) that would be annoying for others in the race.

Right, so rule 144.4.f allows for "speed distance monitors" and "chronometers" as long as they can't communicate with another person.

So setting an interval alarm on your watch = ok. Using an apple watch to talk to your coach = not ok.

Cottonshirt wrote:

USATF Rules For Competition: Rule 144 Assistance to Athletes

2. Except as provided in road races (Rule 241) and in long distance walking events (Rule 232), during the progress of an event a competitor who has received any assistance whatsoever may be disqualified by the Referee. “Assistance” is the conveying of advice, information or direct help to a competitor by any means, including a technical device.

The way I read this, you can't even tell someone tactical info during a race. WTF?

Really Bro wrote:

Cottonshirt wrote:

USATF Rules For Competition: Rule 144 Assistance to Athletes

2. Except as provided in road races (Rule 241) and in long distance walking events (Rule 232), during the progress of an event a competitor who has received any assistance whatsoever may be disqualified by the Referee. “Assistance” is the conveying of advice, information or direct help to a competitor by any means, including a technical device.

The way I read this, you can't even tell someone tactical info during a race. WTF?

Like someone standing at the start/finish line yelling out splits... which happens in every race.

zzzz wrote:

Really Bro wrote:

The way I read this, you can't even tell someone tactical info during a race. WTF?

Like someone standing at the start/finish line yelling out splits... which happens in every race.

Coaching from the infield is illegal. That's why you see pole vaulters etc going to chat to coach in the stands.

Splits etc is the unfairness of individual coaching which is not. Of course many have bent the rules

HALP wrote:

Is it legal to use a watch in an open college meet with repeating split alarms? So every x:xx the alarm goes off to let you know you're on pace. I am an unattached runner, no team/university affiliation.

Please don't ever do this. I've been in a few races with people that have this sort of thing on their watch. It is the most degenerate, annoying garbage I've had the displeasure to race with. I of course felt obligated to beat these people, so if your goal is to lose to people you'd normally beat, and you're a degenerate loser, go for it.

It's legal, but it's a great way to annoy everyone around you

Sdfsdfsdfsdfsdfsdf wrote:

Right, so rule 144.4.f allows for "speed distance monitors" and "chronometers" as long as they can't communicate with another person.

So setting an interval alarm on your watch = ok. Using an apple watch to talk to your coach = not ok.

Actually you could argue that the beep is in fact a form of communication to others as they could hear it. So, if being finicky about the rules, the GPS watch is OK so long as it is silent.

Raddison wrote:

Actually you could argue that the beep is in fact a form of communication to others as they could hear it.

No you can't.

Hardloper wrote:

Raddison wrote:

Actually you could argue that the beep is in fact a form of communication to others as they could hear it.

No you can't.

Have you heard of Morse code? If another runner, say a team mate, knows beforehand what the beep rate is set to then he will also benefit from the beep.

Use vibration, not beeps, for duck's sake.

Sliding Scale wrote:

I believe so, yes. I think that would be similar to a GPS pace tracker or any other sort of outside aid.

So the 400m record is invalid cause Wayde was wearing a GPS watch?

dfz wrote: So the 400m record is invalid cause Wayde was wearing a GPS watch?

the next time some dullard starts a thread about how some runner we've never heard of will never amount to anything because he/she has terrible form, can someone please remember to post a copy of this photo of Wayde van Niekerk and explain how that tremendous upper body rotation he has going on is not actually doing him any harm at all.

cheers.

Everything is up to the officials. Technically, it's illegal. But it's always at the discretion of officials, just like any other sport. For example in basketball, I may foul someone but a ref won't cal it (for whatever reason - maybe it didn't seem to affect my opponent, maybe he actually didn't notice, etc.)

So Wayde didn't get DQed (I assume because 1. he didn't actually use the GPS watch in his race and 2. if he did, it would be COMPLETELY useless.

Rules, like laws, are meant to have some give to them.

But I wouldn't recommend a beeping watch lol