Athletics Events

EVENT

EVENT DESCRIPTION

100m / 200m

The 100 metres is a fast explosive power event. The 200m requires similar skills and abilities as the 100 m, but clearly the ability to maintain a high speed over the additional distance is all important.

300m / 400m

The 400m is once around the track and is considered to be the ultimate anaerobic test demanding speed, strength and endurance.

600m / 800m

The 800m is twice around the track and the event requires a tremendous amount of speed, strength, endurance and tactical awareness.

1500m

The 1500m is a middle distance event and is three and three quarter times around the track, demanding good tactical understanding.

3000m

The 3000m is a middle distance track event (usually known as "3k") where 7.5 laps are completed around the 400m track.

3000m Steeplechase

The 3000m steeplechase is run over 28 hurdles including seven water jumps.

5000m

The 5000m (5k) is traditionally the first event that is categorised as ‘long distance’ and is twelve and a half laps around the track. The long distance events are not suitable for children.

10,000m

The 10,000m (10k) requires great amounts of strength and stamina over the 25 laps of the running track.

Marathon

The marathon covers a distance of 26 miles and 385 yards. As the marathon covers such a long distance it is not run in the stadia. The minimum age is 18.

Sprint Hurdles

The hurdles is a sprinting event, which consists of running over hurdles with 3 strides between the hurdles.

300m / 400m Hurdles

The long hurdles relies upon the speed of a sprinter, the strength and endurance to maintain that speed over the longer distance and the ability to clear the hurdles

4 x 100m relay

Four athletes each take their turn to run 100m whilst carrying a baton to the next athlete. The athletes must ensure that they pass the baton in the correct change over areas.

4 x 400m relay

As for the 100m relay, but each athlete runs 400m.

Discus

The discus is released after a rotation around the circle. A young athlete may start their training for throwing using a cricket or rounders ball or a discus made of foam, which can be safely used indoors or outside.

Hammer

The hammer is released after a rotation around the circle. Again, the young athlete will not use a full weight hammer until they are senior athletes. They may start their training using a cricket or rounders ball or a soft foam hammer that can be used indoors or outdoors. Hoops or quoits may also be used for practice.

Javelin

A spectacular event in which the competitors hurl the spear like implement as far as possible with the tip landing first. As with the other throwing events, the young athlete will probably start training for this event by throwing other implements such as soft form javelins or a cricket / rounders ball.

Shot

This is the projecting of a solid metal ball from within the confines of a concrete circle. The shot is released after a glide or rotation around the circle.

High Jump

The high jump involves athletes jumping over a horizontal bar without knocking it off. The high jump bar is raised each time the athlete successfully clears each height. There are two high jump techniques used nowadays: the scissor jump and the Fosbury flop. The most common technique used by senior athletes is called the Fosbury flop. It is advised that the young athlete practices and develops their skills using the scissor jump first.

Long Jump

The long jump is a sequence of movements from the run up, to the taking off from the board, to the movement whilst jumping, and the landing in the sand. The young athlete can take part in lots of different jumping activities that will improve their long jumping skills. They may often begin by practicing the standing long jump before combining both the run up and the jump. It is good for them to master the long jump technique first.

Triple Jump

A high degree of flexibility, control, speed and strength is required to master this event. It involves a run up, followed by a hop, step and jump.

Pole Vault

Strength, speed, agility and gymnastic skills are all required for this event. Pole vaulting requires the person uses a long, flexible pole as an aid to leap over a bar.

Combined Events

All combined events require great amounts of speed, strength, agility and endurance along with the ability to compete consistently in all the events. Athletes score points based upon how fast they have run, or the distance they have jumped or thrown.

Pentathlon

The Pentathlon comprises of five events which athletes complete in one day. The events they have to do are, hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot and the 800m.

Heptathlon

The heptathlon comprises of seven events which female athletes complete over two days. On day one the athletes have to compete in the 100m / 80m hurdles, followed by the high jump, shot putt, and 200m. On the second day, they have to do the long jump, javelin and the 800m.

Octathlon

The octathlon comprises eight events which male athletes complete over 2 days. The events are: high jump; javelin; discus; shot; long jump; 100m hurdles, 1500m, and the 400m.

Decathlon

The decathlon comprises ten events which male athletes complete over two days. On day one the athletes have to compete in the 100m, long jump, shot putt, high jump, and 400 metres. On the second day, they have to do the 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500m .