Track races are run anticlockwise, a tradition that comes from early athletic meetings.

The longer version

Runners turn left on an oval, and the usual explanation is that early meetings in English-speaking countries copied the direction used on horse courses, which ran that way because riders and drivers kept to the left on roads. On top of that, the human body is slightly asymmetric and most people find repeated left turns easier.

The direction entered the rules only gradually, and some national bodies still allowed either direction well into the twentieth century. Turning one way imposes real costs: the inside leg works harder, and athletes in longer track events sometimes switch feet to spread the load. Indoor tracks and road courses follow the same convention for consistency.

Where this entry sits

Facts here look at the rules, equipment and odd histories behind familiar sports and games, from balls and rackets to cards, boards and playing fields. Expect small details about scoring quirks, stadium design and the long story of the Olympic Games. The full list sits on the Sports and Games page, where every entry is listed in order.