Why do Athletes run around the track anti-clockwise?

Answer 1

They only do that in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere they run clockwise. It's all due to aerodynamics and the Coriolis affect.

Answer 2

I'm glad you asked this question, because coincidentally, about four years ago, I was thinking the same thing. And no, they don't run clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, so it has nothing whatsoever to do with the Coriallis Effect, in fact, that particular effect has very little to do with anything, but bowel movements. Now where was I? Oh yes, The reason Athlete's run counter clockwise, is simple. They don't. Back when the Greeks were getting big ideas about philosophy and democracy, they were also pretty high about their athletic skills. They started having Olympiads. One of the true tests of a man's worth is how fast can he run at the enemy if needed, and is he faster than say, Apocraphe over there? The ancient Greeks were a visual people, and knew a good view when they saw it. Hence the Acropolis. They also liked order to their views. And that view, when travelling, was easier to digest when it travelled left to right. Try it yourself, with a FIFA game on your xbox or ps123, and you'll find you play far better when your team is going from the left to the right, and that if you play right to left you lose fluidity. Going back to the Greeks for a minute, remember they didn't have clocks, so there was no clockwise/counterclockwise, there was only right or left.

Answer 3

You mean Counter -clockwise. There are many theories.

We run counterclockwise because everything in nature tends towards counterclockwise motion"
The list of natural phenominium that run counterclockwise is quite impressive. It includes: the molecule structure of amino acids, the shape of seashells, the rotational direction of all the planets (except Venus), and the orbital direction of the earth around the sun.

track events (i.e., foot races) are always run counterclockwise, but that's because track geometry, direction of travel, etc., are set by international agreement to ensure comparability of times

Most people are right-leg dominant, so they use their left leg more for support. When running counterclockwise, you'll take longer strides with your right leg-which allows for more propulsion and speed on the turns.

Legend has it that the Romans followed the ancient Greek traditions of running clockwise until an unlucky chariot racer accidentally hit Emperor Nero in the check with a whip. The charioteer was immediately executed by Nero and the next day all races where run the opposite way."

Answer 4

i think of the reason being that maximum folk are suitable-exceeded. As such, whilst making a turn whilst working, that's extra handy to take a somewhat longer stride off the only right suited leg, for this reason helping to make a left turn. consequently, the reason for the counter-clockwise path is common practicality and the the skill to run somewhat quicker.

Answer 5

Why not? They've gotta run in one direction!

And if athletes were to run around the track clockwise, u'd only be asking that instead!

Answer 6

Because they are against clocks? I think you mean counter-clockwise. That's because they are always trying to get the lowest time possible.

Answer 7

Simply because the rules say that is the way you run.
Somewhere, lost in the mists of time, officialdom decided to standardize on certain things like the distance of races, the height of hurdles, and the width of lanes. One of the things that they standardized on was the direction the races would go.
The rule book says that runners will run with their left hand to the inside.

Answer 8

For the 90% of people who are right handed, a left turn is more natural and easier to negotiate.

Answer 9

because its a scientific fact that if you run fast enough counter clockwise, you will travel back in time.

pretty spooky, huh?!?!

Answer 10

In order to attain faster times.