Home > Running videos

VIDEO: High school team wins relay race using the world’s largest baton

Here's something you don't see too often in running: The Fairfax High School track team won a 4x100m relay race by using a high jump bar in a baton's place.

Relay High jump pole

First we saw a banana, and now there’s a high school track team that has set the bar even higher for wacky baton substitutes. The Fairfax High School team in Virginia used a high jump bar and, even more impressive, the team won the race despite what appeared to be a disadvantage.

RELATED: Put the team on your back: High school runners finishes race despite getting spiked in the face.

The video, posted by Aron Jaffe on May 4, has been retweeted 1,400 times with an additional 1,900 likes as of May 9. Even when using a baton that’s tenfold bigger than a typical relay baton, Fairfax was able to win the 4x100m relay.

The event was a home meet held in Fairfax, Va. A high jump bar is typically two metres in length whereas a relay baton is about 30cm.

RELATED: This 4x400m relay team used the best possible substitute for a baton.

Here’s the team posing with their relay baton, also known as a high jump bar, after the event:

We’re just hoping the high jumpers were able to complete in their own discipline without having to report a missing jump bar.

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget