History of Hurdling

Hurdling is a track and field event that involves a sprint race with a number of barriers, which the athlete must clear during the race. The barriers are higher in the 100- and 110-meter versions of the race than in the 400-meter event. The sport has evolved over the years. The distances of the races have changed and design adaptations mean hurdles now do not affect the momentum and speed of the athlete in the same way.

  1. Race Distances

    • Hurdle race distances have evolved over the years. Originally it was a 100-yard race until Oxford and Cambridge changed it to 120 yards in 1864. The French added 28 centimeters to the distance in 1898, making it the 110-meter hurdles. The adapted version for women set the distance at 100 meters. The 400-meter hurdles evolved along similar lines, starting as a 440-yard race in 1860. This distance was modified to 400 meters in 1900.

    Barriers

    • The original hurdle barriers were heavy, wooden structures embedded in the ground. These were replaced by lighter structure with an inverted T-shape frame in 1895 which allowed them to be knocked over forward. The L-shaped frames used today were adopted in 1935 and use a 3.63-kilogram counterbalance which allows the hurdle to fall over with pressure and eliminates the risk of injury. The evolution of synthetic tracks has additionally allowed the athlete quicker recovery time following a jump. Heights of the barriers were lowered in the 400-meter event at the 1900 Olympics from 1.06 meters to 0.91 meters.

    Technique

    • Hurdling techniques have improved with the evolution of the hurdles. Originally athletes would jump with their legs tucked under their bodies in a jump that slowed the athlete down considerably. With the advent of hurdles that fall forward, the technique was adapted into a motion that allows the athlete to move directly from the sprint into the jump, stretching one leg out in front with a bent trailing leg to clear the hurdle. This technique allows the athlete to maintain speed and momentum.

    Olympics

    • Hurdling appeared at the first modern Olympic games in 1896 with the shorter 100-yard race. Once the format was change to 110 meters, this was used in the Olympics from then on, with the 400-meter hurdles added to events in 1900. Women's competitions, including the 100-meter hurdles, were added to the Olympics in 1928.

    Records

    • Personalities in the sports over the years have included the "first great hurdler," Alvin Kraenzlein (USA), who developed the modern hurdling technique by incorporating it into the sprint. Canadian Earl Thompson refined the techniques in the 1920s, becoming the first man to run the shorter event in less than 15 seconds.