Editing Track and field (section)

==Track==
{{anchor|Running}}

===Sprints===
{{Main|Sprint (running)}}
[[File:100m women Golden League 2007 in Zurich.jpg|thumb|'''[[The finish of a women's 1500m race]]''']]
Races over short distances, or [[sprint (running)|sprint]]s, are among the oldest running competitions. The first 13 editions of the [[Ancient Olympic Games]] featured only one event, the [[stadion race]], which was a race from one end of the stadium to the other.<ref name=Instone /> Sprinting events are focused on athletes reaching and sustaining their quickest possible running speed. Three sprinting events are currently held at the Olympics and outdoor World Championships: the [[100 metres|100]], [[200 metres|200]], and [[400 metres]]. These events have their roots in races of [[imperial measurement]]s that later changed to metric: the 100 metres evolved from the [[100-yard dash]],<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4661.html 100 m – Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025004413/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4661.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 26 March 2010.</ref> the 200&nbsp;m distances came from the [[furlong]] (or 1/8 of a [[mile]]),<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4677.html 200 m Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025004419/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4677.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 26 March 2010.</ref> and the 400&nbsp;m was the successor to the [[440 yard dash]] or quarter-mile race.<ref name="400M"/>

At the professional level, sprinters begin the race by assuming a crouching position in the [[starting blocks]] before leaning forward and gradually moving into an upright position as the race progresses and momentum is gained.<ref name="100 m – For the Expert">[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4666.html 100 m – For the Expert] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025004431/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4666.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 26 March 2010.</ref> Athletes remain in the same lane on the running track throughout all sprinting events,<ref name=400M>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4682.html 400 m Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025004425/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4682.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 26 March 2010.</ref> with the sole exception of the indoor 400&nbsp;m. Races up to 100&nbsp;m are largely focused upon acceleration to an athlete's maximum speed.<ref name="100 m – For the Expert"/> All sprints beyond this distance increasingly incorporate an element of endurance.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4673.html 200 m For the Expert] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025004437/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=4673.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 26 March 2010.</ref> [[Human physiology]] dictates that a runner's near-top speed cannot be maintained for more than thirty seconds or so because [[lactic acid]] builds up once leg muscles begin to suffer [[oxygen]] deprivation.<ref name=400M />  Top speed can only be maintained for up to 20&nbsp;metres.<ref>[http://speedendurance.com/2008/08/22/usain-bolt-100m-10-meter-splits-and-speed-endurance/ Usain Bolt 100m 10 meter – Splits and Speed Endurance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911081153/http://speedendurance.com/2008/08/22/usain-bolt-100m-10-meter-splits-and-speed-endurance/ |date=11 September 2016 }} Retrieved 6 February 2013</ref>

Japanese man [[Hidekichi Miyazaki]] was the world's oldest competitive sprinter, sprinting the 100m race at 105 years old before his death in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan's 105-year-old Golden Bolt beats his own world sprint record |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/25/japans-105-year-old-golden-bolt-beats-his-own-world-sprint-record |website=The Guardian|date=25 September 2015 |last1=McCurry |first1=Justin }}</ref>

The [[60 metres]] is a common indoor event and indoor world championship event. Less-common events include the [[50 metres|50]], [[55 metres|55]], [[300 metres|300]], and [[500 metres]], which are run in some [[high school]] and [[college athletics|collegiate]] competitions in the United States. The [[150 metres]], though rarely competed, has a star-studded history: [[Pietro Mennea]] set a world best in 1983,<ref name=150M>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8039407.stm Superb Bolt storms to 150m record ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518012901/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8039407.stm |date=18 May 2009 }}. [[BBC Sport]] (17 May 2009). Retrieved on 26 March 2010.</ref> Olympic champions [[Michael Johnson (sprinter)|Michael Johnson]] and [[Donovan Bailey]] went [[Bailey–Johnson 150-metre race|head-to-head]] over the distance in 1997,<ref>Tucker, Ross (26 June 2008). [http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/06/fastest-man-in-world.html Who is the fastest man in the world?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523165116/http://www.sportsscientists.com/2008/06/fastest-man-in-world.html |date=23 May 2012 }}. The Science of Sport. Retrieved on 26 March 2010.</ref> and [[Usain Bolt]] improved Mennea's record in 2009.<ref name=150M />

===Middle distance===
{{Main|Middle-distance running}}
[[File:ArneAndersson&GunderHagg1942.jpg|thumb|[[Arne Andersson]] (left) and [[Gunder Hägg]] (right) broke a number of middle-distance world records in the 1940s.]]
The most common middle-distance track events are the [[800 metres]], [[1500 metres]] and [[mile run]], although the [[3000 metres]] may also be classified as a middle-distance event.<ref>"[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/381174/middle-distance-running Middle-distance running]", ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507140125/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/381174/middle-distance-running |date=7 May 2015 }}. Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref> The [[880 yard run]], or half mile, was the forebear of the 800&nbsp;m distance and it has its roots in competitions in the United Kingdom in the 1830s.<ref name=IAAF800 /> The 1500&nbsp;m came about as a result of running three laps of a 500&nbsp;m track, which was commonplace in continental Europe in the 20th century.<ref name=IAAF1500 />

Middle-distance events can begin in one of two ways: a staggered start or a waterfall start. In the 800 meter race, athletes begin in individual lanes that are staggered before the turn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Douglas |first=Scott |date=14 July 2022 |title=Each Track and Field Event Has Unique Characteristics, So Let's Brush Up on the Basics |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20812256/how-to-watch-track-field/ |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Runner's World |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120181647/https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20812256/how-to-watch-track-field/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Runners must remain in their lanes for the first 100&nbsp;m before cutting in to run as a pack.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rosenbaum |first=Mike |url=http://trackandfield.about.com/od/middledistance/p/middledistance.htm |title=Introduction to Middle Distance Running |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184605/http://trackandfield.about.com/od/middledistance/p/middledistance.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=usurped |website=About |access-date=5 April 2010}}</ref> This rule was introduced to reduce jostling between runners in the early stages of the race.<ref name=IAAF800 /> The 1500 meter and longer events typically use a waterfall start, where runners start the race from a standing position along a curved starting line and then immediately cut in towards the innermost track to follow the quickest route to the finish.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 July 2022 |title=Each Track and Field Event Has Unique Characteristics, So Let's Brush Up on the Basics |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20812256/how-to-watch-track-field/ |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Runner's World |archive-date=20 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120181647/https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20812256/how-to-watch-track-field/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Physiologically, middle-distance events demand that athletes have good [[Aerobic exercise|aerobic]] and [[Anaerobic exercise|anaerobic energy producing systems]], and also that they have strong [[endurance]].<ref>[http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/factsheets/sports/middle_distance_running Middle Distance Running] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502090010/http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/factsheets/sports/middle_distance_running |date=2 May 2016 }}. [[Australian Institute of Sport]]. Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref>

The 1500&nbsp;m and mile run events have historically been some of the most prestigious track and field events. Swedish rivals [[Gunder Hägg]] and [[Arne Andersson]] broke each other's 1500&nbsp;m and mile [[list of world records in athletics|world records]] on a number of occasions in the 1940s.<ref>Julin, Lennart (28 November 2004). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=27920.html A tribute to the career of Gunder Hägg] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209104739/http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=27920.html |date=9 December 2004 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref><ref>[http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-07-09-014&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-07-09 Stepping-Stones to the Four Minute Mile] {{Webarchive|url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20100109112904/http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-07-09-014&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-07-09 |date=9 January 2010 }}. ''[[The Times]]'' (7 May 1954). Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref> The prominence of the distances were maintained by [[Roger Bannister]], who in 1954 was the first to run the long-elusive [[four-minute mile]],<ref>[http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-06-04-008&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-06-04 British Athletics Hopes] {{Webarchive|url=http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20100109112902/http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-06-04-008&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-06-04 |date=9 January 2010 }}. ''[[The Times]]'' (6 May 1954). Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref><ref>[http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-07-08-010&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-07-08 Four Minute Mile – Triumph of R. G. Bannister] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406230343/http://archive.timesonline.co.uk/tol/viewArticle.arc?articleId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-07-08-010&pageId=ARCHIVE-The_Times-1954-05-07-08 |date=6 April 2010 }}. (7 May 1954). Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref> and [[Jim Ryun]]'s exploits served to popularise [[interval training]].<ref name=IAAF1500 /> Races between British rivals [[Sebastian Coe]], [[Steve Ovett]] and [[Steve Cram]] characterised middle-distance running in the 1980s.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics2000/bbc_team/859595.stm Sebastian Coe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224192530/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics2000/bbc_team/859595.stm |date=24 February 2021 }}. [[BBC Sport]] (9 August 2000). Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref> From the 1990s until the 2010s, North Africans such as [[Noureddine Morceli]] of [[Algeria]] and [[Hicham El Guerrouj]] of [[Morocco]] came to dominate the 1500 and mile events.<ref name=IAAF1500 /> In the 2020s, Western European athletes have returned to the forefront of the distance, with athletes such as [[Jakob Ingebrigtsen]] of [[Norway]], [[Jake Wightman]], and [[Josh Kerr (runner)|Josh Kerr]] (both [[British people|British]] milers) winning global titles.

Beyond the short distances of sprinting events, factors such as an athlete's reactions and top speed becomes less important, while qualities such as [[pace (running)|pace]], tactics and [[endurance]] become more so.<ref name=IAAF800>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9389.html 800 m – Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025035445/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9389.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref><ref name=IAAF1500>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9397.html 1500 m – Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025035439/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9397.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 5 April 2010.</ref>

===Long-distance===
{{Main|Long-distance running}}
[[File:Kenenisa Bekele - Smiling.jpg|thumb|Ethiopian runner [[Kenenisa Bekele]] leading in a long-distance track event]]
There are three common long-distance running events in track and field competitions: [[3000 metres|3000]], [[5000 metres|5000]], and [[10,000 metres]]. The latter two races are both Olympic and World Championship events outdoors, while the 3000&nbsp;m is held at the [[IAAF World Indoor Championships]]. The 5000&nbsp;m and 10,000&nbsp;m events have their historical roots in the 3-mile and 6-mile races. The 3000&nbsp;m was used as a women's long-distance event, entering the World Championship programme in 1983 and Olympic programme in 1984, but this was abandoned in favour of a women's 5000&nbsp;m event in 1995.<ref name=LDIAAF>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9417.html 5000-10000 m – Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025044629/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9417.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 7 April 2010.</ref>  [[Marathon]]s, while long-distance races, are typically run on street courses, and often are run separately from other track and field events.

In terms of competition rules and physical demands, long-distance track races have much in common with middle-distance races, except that pacing, [[Endurance|stamina]], and tactics become much greater factors in performances.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9412.html 5000-10000 m – Is it for me?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025044653/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9412.html |date=25 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 7 April 2010.</ref><ref name=AboutLong>{{cite web |last=Rosenbaum |first=Mike |url=http://trackandfield.about.com/od/longdistance/p/Introlongdist.htm |title=Introduction to Long Distance Events |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131191959/http://trackandfield.about.com/od/longdistance/p/Introlongdist.htm |archive-date=31 January 2017 |url-status=usurped |website=About |access-date=7 April 2010}}</ref> A number of athletes have achieved success in both middle- and long-distance events, including [[Saïd Aouita]] who set world records from 1500&nbsp;m to 5000&nbsp;m.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/40966/athletics Athletics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511201051/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/40966/athletics |date=11 May 2015 }}. ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''. Retrieved on 7 April 2010.</ref> The use of [[pace-setter]]s in long-distance events is very common at the elite level, although they are not present at championship level competitions as all qualified competitors want to win.<ref name=AboutLong /><ref>Wermuth, Stefan [https://web.archive.org/web/20090504202220/http://blogs.reuters.com/sport/2009/04/28/do-pacemakers-have-a-place-in-athletics/ Do pacemakers have a place in athletics?]. [[Reuters]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref>

Long-distance track events gained popularity in the 1920s by the achievements of the "[[Flying Finn]]s", such as multiple Olympic champion [[Paavo Nurmi]]. The successes of [[Emil Zátopek]] in the 1950s promoted intense interval training methods, but [[Ron Clarke]]'s record-breaking feats established the importance of natural training and even-paced running. The 1990s saw the rise of North and East African runners in long-distance events. Kenyans and Ethiopians, in particular, have since remained dominant in these events.<ref name=LDIAAF />

===Relay races===
{{Main|Relay race#In athletics|l1=Relay race}}
[[File:Fotothek df roe-neg 0002422 003 Läuferinnen beim Weiterreichen des Staffelstabes.jpg|thumb|Girls handing over the baton in a relay race in [[Leipzig]] in 1950]]
Relay races are the only track and field event in which a team of runners directly compete against other teams.<ref name=IAAFRelay1>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9391.html 4 × 100 m Relay – Is it for me?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605083940/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9391.html |date=5 June 2011 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref> Typically, a team is made up of four runners of the same sex. Each runner completes their specified distance (referred to as a leg) before handing over a [[Baton (running)|baton]] to a teammate, who then begins their leg. There is usually a designated area where athletes must exchange the baton. Teams may be disqualified if they fail to complete the change within the area, or if the baton is dropped during the race. A team may also be disqualified if its runners are deemed to have wilfully impeded other competitors.

Relay races emerged in the United States in the 1880s as a variation on charity races between [[Firefighter|firemen]], who would hand a red [[Pennant (sports)|pennant]] on to teammates every 300&nbsp;yards. Two very common relay events are the [[4×100 metres relay]] and the [[4×400 metres relay]]. Both entered the Olympic programme at the [[Athletics at the 1912 Summer Olympics|1912 Summer Games]] after a one-off men's [[Sprint medley relay|medley relay]] featured in 1908 Olympics.<ref name=IAAFRelay2>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9396.html 4 × 100 m Relay – Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809104948/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9396.html |date=9 August 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref> The 4×100&nbsp;m event is run strictly within the same lane on the track, meaning that the team collectively runs one complete circuit of the track. Teams in a 4×400&nbsp;m event remain in their own lane until the runner of the second leg passes the first bend, at which point runners can leave their lanes and head towards the inmost part of the circuit. For the second and third baton changeovers, teammates must align themselves in respect of their team position – leading teams take the inner lanes while members of slower teams must await the baton on outer lanes.<ref name=IAAFRelay1 /><ref>{{cite web |last=Rosenbaum |first=Mike |url=http://trackandfield.about.com/od/sprintsandrelays/a/olymsprintbasic.htm |title=What Are Olympic Sprints and Relays? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609105251/http://trackandfield.about.com/od/sprintsandrelays/a/olymsprintbasic.htm |archive-date=9 June 2009 |url-status=usurped |website=About |access-date=9 April 2010}}</ref>

In 2017, the IAAF introduced mixed relay events to the [[World Athletics Relays]], in which two men and two women make up the four-person team.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Six standout moments from the World Athletics Relays {{!}} FEATURE {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/feature/world-athletics-relays-greatest-moments |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=worldathletics.org}}</ref>

In a [[shuttle hurdle relay]], each of four hurdlers on a team runs the opposite direction from the preceding runner. No batons are used.

The IAAF keeps world records for five different types of track relays. As with 4×100&nbsp;m and 4×400&nbsp;m events, all races comprise teams of four athletes running the same distances, with the less commonly contested distances being the [[4 × 200 metres relay|4×200&nbsp;m]], [[4 × 800 metres relay|4×800&nbsp;m]] and [[4 × 1500 metres relay|4×1500&nbsp;m relays]].<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/records/inout=o/discType=0/disc=4X1/detail.html World records track events] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427050148/http://www.iaaf.org/statistics/records/inout=o/discType=0/disc=4X1/detail.html |date=27 April 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref> Other events include the [[distance medley relay]] (comprising legs of 1200, 400, 800, and 1600 metres), which is frequently held in the United States, and a sprint relay, known as the [[Swedish medley relay]], which is popular in [[Scandinavia]] and was held at the [[IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics]] programme.<ref>Martin, David (12 June 2009). [http://www.iaaf.org/WYC09/news/newsid=52004.html Williams and James achieve unprecedented doubles as Kenya steals the show in middle distance – Day Five – Evening report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710030507/http://www.iaaf.org/WYC09/news/newsid=52004.html |date=10 July 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref> Relay events have significant participation in the United States, where a number of large meetings (or [[relay carnival]]s) are focused almost solely on relay events.<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069475/1/index.htm The Relays!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026102838/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069475/1/index.htm |date=26 October 2012 }}. ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' (2 May 1955). Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref>

===Hurdling===
{{Main|Hurdling|steeplechase (athletics)|l2=steeplechase}}
[[File:20070701-nk2007-400m-horden.jpg|thumb|A women's 400&nbsp;m hurdles race at the 2007 Dutch Championships]]
[[File:MITSteeple.jpg|thumb|left|Men traversing the water jump in a steeplechase competition]]
Races with [[hurdle]]s as obstacles were first popularised in the 19th century in England.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rosenbaum |first=Mike |url=http://trackandfield.about.com/od/sprintsandhurdle1/a/sprinthistory.htm |title=A Brief History of Sprints and Hurdles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707075205/http://trackandfield.about.com/od/sprintsandhurdle1/a/sprinthistory.htm |archive-date=7 July 2011 |url-status=usurped |website=About |access-date=9 April 2010}}</ref> The first known event, held in 1830, was a variation of the 100-yard dash that included heavy wooden barriers as obstacles. A competition between the Oxford and Cambridge Athletic Clubs in 1864 refined this, holding a 120-yard race (110&nbsp;m) with ten hurdles {{convert|3|ft|6|in|m}} in height (each placed {{convert|10|yd|m}} apart), with the first and final hurdles 15 yards from the start and finish, respectively. French organisers adapted the race into metric (adding 28&nbsp;cm) and the basics of this race, the men's [[110 metres hurdles]], has changed little.<ref name=IAAF100H>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9423.html 100 m Hurdles – Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809105354/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9423.html |date=9 August 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref> The origin of the [[400 metres hurdles]] also lies in Oxford, where around 1860 a competition was held over 440&nbsp;yards and twelve 1.06&nbsp;m high wooden barriers were placed along the course. The modern regulations stem from the [[1900 Summer Olympics]]: the distance was fixed to 400&nbsp;m while ten {{convert|3|ft|cm|adj=on}} hurdles were placed 35&nbsp;m apart on the track, with the first and final hurdles being 45&nbsp;m and 40&nbsp;m away from the start and finish, respectively.<ref name=IAAF400H>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9436.html 400 m Hurdles – Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809105413/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9436.html |date=9 August 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref> Women's hurdles are slightly lower at {{convert|84|cm|ftin|abbr=off}} for the 100&nbsp;m event and {{convert|76|cm|ftin|abbr=off}} for the 400&nbsp;m event.<ref name=IAAF100H/><ref name=IAAF400H />

The most common events are the [[100 metres hurdles]] for women, 110&nbsp;m hurdles for men and 400&nbsp;m hurdles for both sexes. The men's 110&nbsp;m has been featured at every modern Summer Olympics while the men's 400&nbsp;m was introduced in the second edition of the Games.<ref name=IAAF100H /><ref name=IAAF400H /> Women's initially competed in the [[80 metres hurdles]] event, which entered the Olympic programme in [[Athletics at the 1932 Summer Olympics|1932]]. This was extended to the 100&nbsp;m hurdles at the 1972 Olympics,<ref name=IAAF100H /> but it was not until 1984 that a women's 400&nbsp;m hurdles event took place at the Olympics (having been introduced at the [[1983 World Championships in Athletics]] the previous year).<ref name=IAAF400H />  Other distances and heights of hurdles, such as the [[200 metres hurdles]] and [[low hurdles]], were once common but are now held infrequently. The [[300 metres hurdles]] is run in some levels of American competition.

Outside of the hurdles events, the [[steeplechase (athletics)|steeplechase]] race is the other track and field event with obstacles. Just as the hurdling events, the steeplechase finds its origin in student competition in Oxford, England. However, this event was born as a human variation on the original [[Steeplechase (horse racing)|steeplechase competition]] found in [[horse racing]]. A steeplechase event was held on a track for the 1879 English championships and the 1900 Summer Olympics featured men's 2500&nbsp;m and 4000&nbsp;m steeplechase races. The event was held over various distances until the [[Athletics at the 1920 Summer Olympics|1920 Summer Olympics]] marked the rise of the [[3000 metres steeplechase]] as the standard event.<ref name=IAAFSteeple>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9443.html 3000 m Steeplechase – Introduction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605084126/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9443.html |date=5 June 2011 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref> The IAAF set the standards of the event in 1954, and the event is held on a 400&nbsp;m circuit that includes a [[water jump]] on each lap.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9439.html 3000 m Steeplechase – Is it for me?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605084133/http://www.iaaf.org/community/athletics/trackfield/newsid=9439.html |date=5 June 2011 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 9 April 2010.</ref> Despite the long history of men's steeplechase in track and field, the women's steeplechase only gained World Championship status in 2005, with its first Olympic appearance in 2008.