 Relay races are the only track and field event in which a team of runners directly compete against other teams . Typically , a team is made up of four runners of the same sex . Each runner completes their specified distance ( referred to as a leg ) before handing over a baton to a team mate , who then begins their leg upon receiving the baton . There is usually a designated area where athletes must exchange the baton . Teams may be disqualified if they fail to complete the change within the area , or if the baton is dropped during the race . A team may also be disqualified if its runners are deemed to have wilfully impeded other competitors . 
 Relay races <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>are</mark></a>the only track and field event in which a team of runners directly compete against other teams . Typically , a team is made up of four runners of the same sex . Each runner <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>completes</mark></a> their specified distance ( referred to as a leg ) before handing over a baton to a team mate , <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>who</mark></a>then <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>begins</mark></a> their leg upon receiving the baton . <a href='dey_it' title='5'><mark>There</mark></a> is usually a designated area where athletes must exchange the baton . Teams may be disqualified if they fail to complete the change within the area , or if the baton is dropped during the race . A team may also be disqualified if its runners are deemed to <a href='been_done' title='6'><mark>have</mark></a> wilfully impeded other competitors . 
Relay races the only track and field event in which a team of runners directly compete against other teams . Typically , a team is made up of four runners of da same sex . Each runner complete their specified distance ( referred to as a leg ) b4 handing ova a baton to a team mate , then begin their leg upon receiving the baton . It is usually a designated area where athletes must exchange tdabaton . Teams may b disqualified if they fail to complete thdahange within thedaea , or if the daon is dropped durin the rda . A team may also bbdisqualified if its runners are deemed to done wilfully impeded other competitors .