Book 28, Question 31
Why do runners on a curved track start at staggered positions?
If everyone started on the same line, the runners in the outer lanes would have to run farther.
On a 400-meter track, each lane is a little longer than the one inside it, because the curve is wider on the outside. So in races with a curve, the outside runners start a few steps ahead. This is called a staggered start. When everyone finishes the same distance, the race is fair.