Field Events

Track events are closely related to field events. This packet will deal with five traditional

track events: the dash, the steeplechase, the hurdle, the relay race and the distance race.

Running as a sport did not become popular in America until 1871, when the first track

meet was held in New York City. Eventually, track and field events became so popular

that the Intercollegiate Association of Amateur Athletics in America (ICAAAA) and the

National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA) were organized to govern/oversee these

events and the rules that control them.

Early human beings were forced by their environment

to run. They both ran after animals when hunting for

food, and ran from other animals who were themselves

hungry. This running consisted of jumping over

bushes, fallen trees, ditches and other obstacles. Hunting

and gathering techniques were taken into battle as

skirmishes between tribes made survival important.

In between hunting parties and wars, running and

jumping became leisure-time activities that people

chose to do as athletic events. Sometimes the object

was to compete against others; at other times, the athlete

1. Getting off to a good start in short

races is crucial. Many races are lost

at the starting line! The rules require

that you start in a “crouch” position—

with both feet and both hands placed

on the track with the heels placed

against the starting block. These starting

blocks are anchored to the ground

and are adjustable to runners of every

size and height. The block gives

you a solid base from which to push

off.

strengths and weaknesses is as critical as being a skilled

and aggressive runner. Patience and determination are also

essential attributes for the competitive runner in this event.

Hurdle competition is not running and leaping, but

making running leaps over the hurdles. You do not

jump over the hurdle. Instead, as you reach the hurdle,

you lift your legs and tuck them up so that they barely

clear the top of the crosspiece.

Traditionally, there are two types of hurdle races—

the 120-yard (110 meter) high hurdle and the 440-

yard (403 meter) intermediate hurdle. The hurdles are

42 inches (1.06 meters) high in the 120-yard event

and 36 inches (.91 meters) high in the 440-yard event. The distance from the starting line

to the first hurdle is 49 1/4 yards (45.03 meters). The ten hurdles are placed at 38 1/4-

1. As you cross a hurdle, your body will be leaning forward. The arm opposite

the lead leg crosses the hurdle first. If the left leg leads, the right arm crosses

the hurdle first.

2. As you cross the hurdle, tuck your legs up so that they barely clear the top

of the hurdle.

3. After you have crossed the hurdle, land so that the

lead leg. Landing with the weight so far forward

can throw a careless runner off balance. Thus, it is

the best runner on the team, is called the

of victory. Relay racing demands not only speed

but teamwork. The crux of relay racing is the act

of passing a baton or stick to the next team member

without dropping it and without losing speed

during the pass. If the baton is dropped, the runner

who dropped it is disqualified and his/her

team finishes last. If speed is lost in the passing

of the baton, positions can be lost.

how these two passes are done:

1. The receiver of the baton starts running so that his/her speed will match

that of the oncoming runner.

2. As the two runners approach each other, the receiver looks over his/her

shoulder and extends the receiving arm back toward the oncoming runner.

The receiver has his or her palm up as the pass takes place.

3. The oncoming runner passes the baton to the receiver, who then moves

race is slow, a longer one for a faster race.

Each mile in a race can be divided into four segments. The

first segment is a brisk run. The second segment is taken at

a comfortable stride. The third segment is run at a stride that

allows the runner to conserve energy, while the fourth segment

starts slowly but ends with a burst of speed. The third

segment is often considered the most critical part of the mile

because it is the point where many runners are tiring, both

physically and mentally.

Long-distance runners need good judgment and a keen eye

race over obstacles. Eventually, English students began to attempt

the race on foot and in 1889, the event was introduced

into the United States.

Track clothing is traditionally light in weight and allows complete freedom of movement.

This usually means tank tops or sleeveless shirts. The bottom hem of track shorts

is well above the knee, and sometimes the shorts have slits up the sides. Shoes are especially

important, since different events require different shoe designs. The soles of the