general responses to what ive read thus far:
i still stand by, generally, the idea that lane one should not be for walking. as someone stated if you are doing a speedwalking time trial that is understandable but in general most people walking are just trying to get a little more exercise in and i feel that they should be at least in lane 3.
however, i would in no way advocate shoving someone or physically contacting them in any way if they stay in lane one. after a repeat or during a rest interval i would ask them if they could move to an outside lane (again if walking). if you told me you were speed walking and doing a workout for that then fine, you have just as much right to be there.
then if you are jogging i have no real issue with you being on an inner lane. there are many people on the team that i run with that do 400 repeats in around 120 seconds (2:00, 8:00 mile pace). they are still doing a workout and i will always pass them on the outside. i tend to agree with the thought that i would need to pass slower people in a race situation so why not do it on the track (again though, this excludes walkers, they should be further outside).
again though that being said i will try and move, personally, into lane 2 if i know someone faster then me is coming up from behind me as i do feel the faster individual has the right of way.
in the end i do think it all comes down to courtesy. its just inconsiderate to be driving slowly in the left lane. its inconsiderate to walk in lane one. its inconsiderate to elbow someone for walking in lane one. someone talked about how this whole concept of track etiquette exists to bring some sort of organization to the track and that is 100% something i agree with. otherwise it would be even more chaotic then it is. for example everyone tends to run counter-clockwise. it would be crazy if each person ran differently (a lot more dangerous).