Different Track & Field Events

Running Events

• Running events are one of the main group of events in track and field. Sprints are held both indoors (50, 60 meters) and outdoors (100, 200 and 400 meters) . The 800 meters and the 1500, along with the mile, are middle distances, and the 5,000 and 10,000 meters are long distances. The 100 (for women), 110 and 400 meters are classic hurdles events. The longest running distance in the Olympic program is the marathon, 42,195 kilometres (26.2 miles). Track and field also includes race walking, 10 km, 20 km and 50 km.

Relays

• Relays are completed in teams of four runners. Each runner will sprint a certain distance and pass the baton to the next runner. For example, in a 4x100 relay, each runner will sprint 100 meters. Classic relays are 4x100 meters and 4x400 meters.

Hurdles

• Hurdle events are races in which the runners jump over hurdles. Hurdle races are typically 100 meters (for women) 110 meters (for men) and 400 meters (men and women). According to the USA Track and field hurdles range in height from 30 inches to 39 inches tall. The steeple chase events are on longer distances, with 3000 meters being the Olympic and World Championships distance for both men and women.

Pole vault

• In the pole vault, one the four jumping events, competitors use a pole to lift them up over a vertical bar. As the competition progresses, the height of the vertical bar is increased in increments from 5 to 15 centimeters. Competitors are given three opportunities to clear the bar at each height.

Jumps

• The high jump is somewhat similar to the pole vault, being a vertical jump, except that competitors do not use a pole to assist them over the horizontal bar. The jumpers run up to the bar and take off on one leg. The height of the bar is increased in increments of 2 to 5 centimeters. Like the pole vault, competitors are given three opportunities to clear the bar at each height. After three consecutive misses the jumper is eliminated.

  The long jump is an event in which the competitor sprints and then jumps as far as possible into a landing area of sand. The competitor must take off before the take-off line, from where the jump is measured.

  The triple jump starts like a long jump, but the athlete performs a hop, step and jump before landing in the pit.

Throws

• The classic throwing events are the shot put, discus throw, javelin, and hammer. In the shot put, a spherical weight of 7,257 kilograms (16 pounds) is thrown, or put, from the shoulder, with one hand, from a 2,135-meter circle with a 1.22 metre wooden stop board, 10 centimeters high. The weight must land in a 40-degree sector in front of the circle. The women's shot weighs 4 kilograms.
  The discus throw is an ancient event in which the competitor throws a weighted discus into the landing area. According to the website "Field Events," the discus is 2 kilograms, or 4.4 pounds, for men and 1 kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, for women.
  In the hammer throw, the competitor holds a grip which is attached by a wire to a metal ball. According to USA Track and Field, the hammer weighs 7.26 kilograms, or 16 pounds, for men and 4 kilograms, or 8.8 pounds, for women.
  In the javelin throw competitors throw a spear-like implement which weighs 800 grams for the men and 600 grams for the women.
  In all throws and the two horizontal jumps (long jump and triple jump) all competitors are allowed 3 tries. The top 8 receive three supplemental tries.

Combined events

• The decathlon is one of the most challenging athletic events. Competitors compete in 10 events: the 100 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400 meters, 110m hurdles, discus throw, javelin throw, pole vault, 1,500 meters.

  The equivalent for women is the heptathlon, which includes the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meters, long jump, javelin, and 800 meters.

  These events are completed in two days.