Track and field events are difficult to define. The events vary based on the level of competition, the governing organization and the venue. High school track and field programs will not have the same events as the world championships or the Olympic Games. Indoor events are different from outdoor events. However, you can loosely define 17 events based categorized by track events, field events and combined events.
Running
The majority of track events involve running: sprints, medium distance and long distance. Relays are a track event in which one team has four runners completing the race. Each participant only runs a small section of the total distance. The sprint events are 60 meters, 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. The longer races are the 800 meters, 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and a full, 26-mile marathon. The relay events are the 4 x 100 meters and the 4 x 400 meters relay.
Hurdles
Hurdle events are categorized as track events. The runner must jump over hurdles placed at different intervals around the track. Hurdles can be different heights depending on the level of play, the specific race and if it is a men's or women's event. Most hurdles are between 30 and 42 inches tall. Hurdle events include the 60 meters, 100 meters, 110 meters and 400 meters race. The 3,000-meter steeplechase is also a hurdle event that includes water obstacles.
Field Events
The field events are categorized into jumps and throws. The jumps include the long jump, triple jump, high jump and pole vault. The pole vault is the only jump that uses equipment to help you up and over the bar. The long and triple jump are measured by distance; the high jump and pole vault are measured by height.
The throws include the shot put, discus throw, hammer throw and javelin throw. All four events are measured by how far the participant throws the object.
Combined Events
Combined events include events from track and field. The pentathlon consists of five events: a sprint, long jump, hurdling race, shot put and a high jump. The decathlon, which is for male contestants, is a series of ten events: 100-meter race, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400-meter race, 110-meter hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1,500-meter race. The heptathlon is mainly a female combined event, although men also compete. It consists of seven events: 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter race, long jump, javelin throw and 800-meter race. The men's version is usually done indoors and consists of a 60-mer race, pole vault, shot put, high jump, 1000-meter race, 60-meter hurdles and long jump.
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