Hurdle height screwup
 

High School conference meet -- Boys 300 Intermediate hurdle semifinals. Seven runners on a six lane track qualifying on time only (i.e. running two heats to eliminate 1 competitor).

After the first heat, the hurdle crew realizes that the fifth flight of hurdles is not set at the correct height. Instead of leaving them so that times are comparable, they raise them to the correct height just before the second heat.

As the referee, what are your options.

Options I came up with:

1) Compare the times first before anything else. If the 7th time was in the first heat (with the low hurdle), I probably let those results stand, especially if 7th was well behind 6th.

2) Throw out the semis, redraw the lanes and run it as a sectioned final.

3) Re-run both heats. I didn't mention in the OP, but this is a one-day meet. While this is an option, I am unlikely to do this unless it is a multi-day meet.




Actual ruling that day:
The referee did #1, but the 7th time came from the 2nd heat (of course). So, he chose to go with option #2 and we ran it as a two-section final.

Since they knew the 5th flight of hurdles was lower, they should have just left them as is for the second and final heat. Now all the times are comparable.

Other wise, # 2 is what I would do.

I would agree with pole vault but also high jump takes the raw athletic ability and perfect form into account. Also hurdles take years of practice to excell at.