two people run a race around a track. One is in the first lane and the other is in the 7th lane. they both start at the same start line. They both finish in the same amount of time, but the runner in the outside lane is determined to be the winner. Wh?
In an official race, it is uncommon for a runner in the outside lane to be determined as the winner if both runners finish in the same amount of time. In standard races, the finishing order is usually determined by who crosses the finish line first, regardless of which lane they are in.
However, there might be a few possible reasons that the runner in the outside lane is declared the winner in this scenario:
1. Track Conditions: It is possible that the outside lane of the track offers favorable conditions, such as a slight downhill slope or more grip, which allows the runner to cover the same distance in less time.
2. Timing Accuracy: In certain races, timing accuracy can be a significant factor. If the timing equipment is not appropriately placed or calibrated, it can lead to inaccurate results. Perhaps there was an error in timing that favored the runner in the outside lane.
3. Ruling Discrepancy: Human judgment and decision-making can sometimes be inconsistent or subjective. There might be a judgment call or a discrepancy in the ruling that resulted in the runner in the outside lane being declared the winner, even though they technically finished at the same time.
To conclusively determine the exact reason why the runner in the outside lane was declared the winner, it would be essential to have access to specific details about the race, including the track conditions, timing equipment used, and any ruling or judgment calls made by race officials.