starting block

athletics

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

A starting block is a piece of equipment used in athletics to help runners gain a strong start in a race. It typically consists of two blocks mounted on an adjustable frame, providing a firm surface for the athlete's feet to push off from.1

In track and field, starting blocks are specifically used in sprint races, such as the 100, 200, and 400 meters. After 1884, sprinters began using these blocks from a crouched position to brace their feet, a practice legalized in the 1930s. This innovation allows sprinters to achieve maximum speed more effectively at the beginning of the race. Starting blocks are also used in swimming, where they are low platforms competitors stand on for the start of a race.21

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sprint
…using a device called a starting block (legalized in the 1930s) to brace their feet. Races are begun by a pistol shot; at 55 to 65 meters (60 to 70 yards), top sprinters attain maximum speed, more than 40 km per hour (25 miles per hour). After the 65-meter mark…
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…using a device called a starting block (legalized in the 1930s) to brace their feet. Races are begun by a pistol shot; at 55 to 65 meters (60 to 70 yards), top sprinters attain maximum speed, more than 40 km per hour (25 miles per hour). After the 65-meter mark…
Read More