Track & field | Discourse community
Terminology
General Terms
Events
An event is a specific competition which is divided into track, field and combined events.
Track Events
A competition involving running on the athletic track in events such as, sprints, hurdles, and middle/long distance.
Field Events
A competition involving jumping or throwing such as, high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin etc.
Combined Events
These include events that are both track and field events and done over multiple days.
TRACK EVENTS
Sprints
Short-distance races which include 100m, 200m, and 400m (“m” stands for meters).
Middle-distance
Races which are usually 800m or 1,500m.
Long-distance
Events that are over longer distances such as 5,000m and 10,000m.
Hurdles
Races that require you to run and jump over a series of hurdles, usually run at 100m and 400m.
Steeplechase
A long/middles distance race that includes jumping over larger hurdles into water.
Relays
These are team races where each person on the team runs an equal distance to their teammates. These are in teams of four people and can be run in several unique styles such as, 4x100m, 4x400m and then also mixed gender relays.
Race walking
An event where athletes walk a specific distance at a fast pace but always having contact with the ground.
Field EVENTS
High jump
Athletes attempt to jump as high as possible over a bar while landing on a mat.
Pole vault
Similar to high jump but the athletes use a flexible pole to vault over a high bar.
Long jump
Athletes jump as far as possible into a sand pit.
Triple jump
Athletes complete a three-phase sequence (hop, skip, and jump) and see how far they make it into the sand pit.
Shot put
Athletes throw a heavy metal bar as far as possible.
Discus throw
Athletes throw a heavy disc for distance.
Javelin throw
A spear-like object is thrown as far as possible.
Hammer throw
A heavy metal ball is hung from a wire and swung around to be thrown for distance.