About Sprinting

Sprinting is a method of running in which an athlete runs as fast as they possibly can for a short distance without the need to pace themselves. Races up to 400 meters long are considered sprints in the world of track and field, but the distance most associated with sprinting is the 100 meter dash. The winner of this event at any Olympic Games is automatically labeled the world's fastest man or woman.

  1. Features

    • Sprint races have rules that are strictly enforced. Runners begin the race in starting blocks, which they can push off of at the outset of the race. Sprinters get into what is called the "sprinter's stance," meaning they bend over with one or both hands touching the ground and explode out of that position as they commence running. The start of a sprint race will feature the official starter saying "On your mark" and then "Get set" before firing a starter's pistol. The runners will be side by side and take off sprinting towards the finish line.

    Types

    • The sprint distances are contested at 100, 200 and 400 meters at an Olympics and other important track events. Indoor track will often feature a 60 meter sprint. The 60 and 100 meter sprints are always run on the track's straightaway, but the 200 and 400 require the runners to go around the bends in the oval. A runner has a 4 foot wide lane in which to run; deviating from this lane will result in disqualification of the competitor. The lanes are numbered one through eight and on distances sprinting distances over 100 meters the runners are staggered at the start, which ensures that each runner covers the same distance. The first runner to cross the plane of the finish line with their torso is declared the winner.

    Identification

    • The United States has been the dominant sprinting force over the years, with the first recognized world record holder American being Don Lippincott; he won gold at the 1912 games in Sweden. Other great American sprinters include Jesse Owens, Bobby Joe Morrow, Bob Hayes, Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrell, Harvey Glance and Maurice Greene. American women have also had success sprinting, with such record holders as Wilma Rudolph, Helen Stephens, Wyomia Tyus, Evelyn Ashford, and Florence Griffith-Joyner among them.

    Time Frame

    • Sprinting records at all distances have been lowered over the year as runners gain the advantage of better training techniques and equipment. For example, the 400 meter record for men in 1900 was a 47.8 second clocking. The current record holder, Michael Johnson, ran a 43.18 in 1999. The woman's 100 meter record in 1922 was 12. 8 seconds but is now 10.49.

    Significance

    • Usain Bolt of Jamaica lowered the 100 meter dash record along with the 200 standard during the 2008 Summer Olympics to earn the title of the world's fastest human being. Bolt's performance was even more significant in the 100 as he eased up before the finish line. Bolt's sprinting performance was significant because he was never challenged and took .05 seconds off the previous record, an almost unheard of occurrence in a race that short.