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Does anyone know if NFHS has rule(s) regulating the use of a raised runway for outdoor track ( in SC if state matters ) ? ( cannot find anything specific on NFHS Web )

A local high school is looking to relocate its pole vault pit / runway and the cost of doing so is opbviously far less with a raised runway.

Thanks in advance for your reponse(s)

There is nothing in the rulebook that prohibits it.

Thanks for the information. Do you know of any high schools doing so currently ?

The problem with doing it outdoors is moisture damaging the runway, and it being a pain to set up and tear down daily. They are much more practical indoors or for one time events.

I think the raised runways create an unfair advantage because you can get more bounce. But like Rainbow, I don't see anything in the NFHS rule book that prohibits it.

It takes me an hour and a half to set ours up and the same to put it away.

It also wouldnt help if your training on it to go somewhere that has a regular runway. It would totally mess up your vaulters.

That's not true that it will mess up your vaulters, you just must remind your vaulters that their starting points may be different because of the possible fast runway. There are alot of vaulters that train on them, including the pro's.

I think that one would have to add an asterisk to any record set on a raised approach versus a rubberized over concrete. I agree that it would change timing on the approach. If that is not considered, yes it could "mess your vaulter up" when they end up back on the on grade runway.

grandevaulter wrote:I think that one would have to add an asterisk to any record set on a raised approach versus a rubberized over concrete. I agree that it would change timing on the approach. If that is not considered, yes it could "mess your vaulter up" when they end up back on the on grade runway.

The IAAF considers records equal on a raised wooden runway versus a traditional one. It can feel a little different to switch between the two, but vaulters have been making the switch back and forth between the two for decades, it's not _that_ hard.

rainbowgirl28 wrote:The IAAF considers records equal on a raised wooden runway versus a traditional one.

My opinion, they've got that one wrong. Many raised wooden runways provide added spring. I would like to see more opinions on this.

grandevaulter wrote:

rainbowgirl28 wrote:The IAAF considers records equal on a raised wooden runway versus a traditional one.

My opinion, they've got that one wrong. Many raised wooden runways provide added spring. I would like to see more opinions on this.

That's more of a perception than a scientific reality. In other words they "feel" springier than they actually are.

thanks for all the input. They are trying to accomplish relocation without the expense of concrete, rubberization, etc.

A raised wooden or alluminum run way just seemed like a great option. It would allow for location of the vault competition anywhere within the track area or anywhere else on the campus.

thanks for your thoughts. Would still like to know if anyone is aware of outdoor raised runways ?