Track events – Hurdles, Steeplechase, and Relays

Hurdles, steeplechase, and relay events are variations of straight distance running designed to add an extra element of difficulty to the races, adding obstacles or requiring participants to cooperate with other athletes and work as a team.

Hurdles

Hurdling is a style of track racing which involves jumping over obstacles along a distance track. Although the tracks distances, heights of the obstacles, and techniques utilized by athletes differ from category to category, the most common hurdle race is the 100 meters for men and the 110 meters for women. There are 5 different hurdle heights, with the highest (106.7cm or 42 inches) being used for the men’s 110 meters hurdle races. Optimal technique is of the utmost importance in hurdling, with many athletes practicing for hundreds of hours in order to form the perfect techniques to maximize fluidity and speed efficiency throughout the races. Common techniques include the three-step, four-step, and five-step methods, and common races include the 60 meters, 100 meters, 110 meters, and 400 meters events.

Steeplechase

Steeplechase is similar to hurdling in most aspects but differs with the addition of water jumps and the allowance of stepping on the hurdles. The most prevalent distance for steeplechase events is 3000 meters.

Relay races

Relay races within athletics sports generally consist of 100-meter sprints performed by 4 individual athletes, passing batons and working as a team to be the first to cross the finish line. These athletes are regarded as some of the best sprinters in the athletic world, and many top athletes competing in sprint races also participate in relay races. Although the 400-meter relay is the most common, 4 x 200-meter, 4 x 400-meter, and 4 x 800-meter races also exist but are rarely seen in professional athletics. Relaying races in swimming, skiing, and ice-skating are also common team sports.