Photo Credit: Chris Pietsch/USA Today Sports
By: MileSplit Track Bot
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Track and field is a sport that consists of a wide variety of events.
The number of events can vary depending on the competition level and specific rules, but here is a general overview of the events that are typically included in track and field:
Sprints: These are short-distance races that require athletes to cover the specified distance as quickly as possible. Common distances include 100 meters, 200m and 400m. Indoor distances include 55m, 60m, 300m and 500m.
Middle-Distance: These races require a combination of speed and endurance. Common distances include 800 meters and 1500 meters. Indoors, distance include the 600m, 800m and 1K.
(often considered a middle-distance race), and 5000 meters and 10000 meters (long-distance races).
Long-Distance Races: These races require a wider aerobic base. The distance includes 3K, 3,200m, 5K and 10K outdoors.
Hurdles: Hurdles involve athletes running a specified distance while clearing a series of hurdles. Common distances for men are 110 meters and for women 100 meters. In high school, athletes cover 300 meters while progressing over hurdles. In college and professionally, athletes compete at 400 meters.
Relays: In relay events, teams of athletes take turns running a specified distance before passing a baton to the next runner. Common relay distances are 4x100, 4x400, 4x800, 4xmile and the DMR. There are also less common relays like the shuttle hurdle relays.
Jumps: Jumping events include the long jump, triple jump, high jump and pole vault. Athletes aim to cover the longest horizontal distance or clear the highest vertical height.
Throws: Throwing events include shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, and hammer throw. Athletes compete to achieve the greatest distance with their respective implements. Indoor events include the weight throw.
Decathlon (Men) and Heptathlon (Women): These are combined events that consist of multiple track and field disciplines. Decathlon includes 10 events for men (100m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m, 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500m), while heptathlon includes 7 events for women (100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw, and 800m).
Racewalking: Racewalkers compete in events where they must maintain a walking technique while covering a specified distance. Common distances include the 3K, 10K, 20km and 50km.
Steeplechase: In this event, athletes run a specified distance while clearing hurdles and a water jump on the track. The most common distances are 3,000 meters for men and women, while high school athletes track 2,000 meters.