New 800m Break Point
World Athletics has introduced a significant rule change for the indoor 800m event by moving the break point to provide athletes with more space and a safer racing environment. This rule was introduced in November 2025 and is applicable in senior events run under world and UKA rules.
Details of the Rule Change
New Breakpoint Location: The new breakpoint will be located around the entrance to the home straight, approximately 165 meters after the start. (Home Straight, 400m Breakpoint)
New Startline Location: Given new breakpoint the Start Line for the 800m is now the 400m Start line (normally solid white)
Purpose: The main goal of this change is to give athletes more time and space to spread out before cutting into the inside lane, thus improving safety and the overall racing experience for both athletes and spectators.
The BMC races will be undertaken with this rule change in effect starting with the Sheffield Indoor GP (in conjunction with the EA CE meeting) this Sunday 18th January.
This is a change from the current rule, where athletes must stay in their assigned lanes until the end of the first bend (back straight), at which point they can break for the inside lane.
The new, later break point aims to reduce the jostling and potential for collision that often occurs when many athletes converge on the first lane simultaneously.
