Outdoor Track Vs. Indoor Track

Due to space limitations when competing on an indoor track, there are significant differences between track events contested outdoors and those contested indoors.

  1. Running Events

    • Sprint running events are typically shortened in an indoor track competition. Instead of running the 100-meter dash, the competitors may run 60 meters. The 100-meter hurdles is shortened to 55 or 60 meters as well. Most other events cover the same distances as those contested outdoors.

    Track Specifications

    • Most indoor tracks are 200 meters in circumference rather than the 400 meters of an outdoor track. Many indoor track incorporate banked turns. Banked turns can increase speeds and also can help prevent injury.

    Field Events

    • Indoor meets have a limited number of field events, which are usually done on the infield. High jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump and shot put are all usually part of both indoor and outdoor meets, while javelin, hammer and discus are done outdoors only.

    Distance Running

    • While the 10,000-meter run is typically the longest on-track event at an outdoor track meet, that race can be replaced by a 3,000-meter run for indoor competition. That usually means that 5,000 meters is the longest distance contested indoors.

    Fun Fact

    • Some American college events are contested at oversized indoor tracks, which have a circumference of up to 300 meters. For the calculation of indoor records, events run on those longer tracks are not eligible.