The Hand-Off

The Hand-off makes the difference in the split-second world of indoor relays, where the reaching, anxious hand is the symbol of the runners' impatience to race. But in the new season, the biggest ever in the U.S., only the strongest and most poised can hope to win. On the confined tracks, where the unnerving roar of voices is multiplied against the crowding walls, to hesitate is to lose

Fresh, ambitious, the next man looks back to make sure, the runner coming up barely makes the trade and a new race is on as the determined young men below take off

FOUR PHOTOS

MARK KAUFFMAN