How To Set Up Hurdles

Hurdles 101

Many runway people don't know or understand the proper placement of hurdles. This problem is amplified when age group considerations are involved--most tracks are not marked for the odd historic period grouping spacings. I'll cover that after the nuts. By the way, the USATF rulebook is missing some information and has typos in its charts that have been corrected for in the information in this article (so the math works)--in other words, this is more than upwardly to date than the rulebook. If y'all already know the basics, jump ahead.

Every race has a distance to the first hurdle, a space between each hurdle, and a distance to the finsh line. They are non the same.

The hurdle elevation is also disquisitional. Every hurdle manufactured should have 5 different heights. I've illustrated this in the pictures above, left to right (click them to brand them bigger). In imperial terms (feet and inches) we american'south empathize, the highest hurdle is 42" and it progresses downward by 3" increments (39, 36, 33 and xxx). This is simply something yous have to know. Nosotros hurdlers often refer to those notches going down in order in terms of Open or Higher Highs, High School Highs, Intermediate, Womens and Lows because of the basic groups that run those heights. There are ten hurdles in all common races except the high school 300 hurdles, which have 8. Masters and Youth races too have their exceptions described below. Short races (indoor distances) unremarkably are five hurdles.

Past the way, the rule book also prescribes a weighting cistron for hurdles, considering the higher the hurdle, the easier it is to tip over. But I must say nearly facilities I have seen do not have adjustable weight hurdles. The ones in the pictures do not have the weights. Even when facilities practise accept adjustable weight hurdles, I accept simply seen them used properly at the National Championships and the Olympics. I have not seen information technology become a gene in the acceptance of Masters or Youth hurdle records (though it probably should be since it is a violation of the specifications of the race). If you accept them and wish to do a race by the volume, there will be a respective weight marking for each height--the higher the hurdle the farther from the articulation or fulcrum the weight should be. Many hurdles have internal weights (yous tin can experience them slide around within). If you have them, make certain they are at the far end for the loftier hurdle race (lift the front and hear them slide to the back) and to the front end for lower hurdles (tip forward).

Basic markings: For some reason, even though the rule book does provide for a specific color code (though it is only a recommendation non a difficult rule, so), the people who install tracks continue to ignore it. So y'all won't discover whatsoever standard color or shape to the markings. Instead, here is what you will find (with some inkling in deciphering the weird way some facilities may have oriented the hurdles). One time you know the color (or shape) y'all know where to put the hurdles for that race. From a common terminate line (at most facilities) walking backward down the track you will find hurdle marks in this order--if all major marks exist. 10 meters before the finish line, at the beginning of the 4x400 exchange zone is the 8th hurdle of the HS 300 hurdles (information technology should be cherry-red), one-half a meter farther is the 10th womens 100 hurdle (information technology should be yellow). Here'south where it can get goofy. The next marker should exist the tenth men'south 110 hurdle (it should be blue), but if this track runs reverse races (to have advantage of current of air--you lot'll know if they accept washed this by the number of hurdle markings and oft they will use triangles to point the direction) you will find the first reverse women's hurdle, then the first reverse men's hurdle earlier you go to the terminal normal men'south hurdle. The final color you will be looking for is the 10th 400 hurdle (it should be green). It volition be between the 5th and 6th women'due south hurdle marking (very close to the 6th men's hurdle). If the track does not accept a common stop, you volition need to figure out the color from the proper showtime and end line for each race.

If yous don't know if this situation exists, offset by checking the 110 kickoff line, which will be at or most at the outset of the concluding 4x100 exchange zone (the zone is usually on the turn while the hurdles volition be on the straightaway--the distance from the stop line should be identical). If it is not there, you lot have to find the two straightaway start lines (which usually volition be x meters autonomously) and the end line. I have seen some places where every race is a different set of lines (usually to accomodate limited available space). The fortunate thing is, when a runway gets this weird, there usually is a painted sign to explain it. I encompass all the details on track markings in another article. While you are at the beginning of the final relay zone, you volition find a hurdle marker at exactly that aforementioned spot--that is the 8th 400 hurdle marker, so the color will ostend the colour (which should be green) of those marks.

Men's 110HH (High Hurdles)

This event is a legacy from majestic days. The spacing specification is the metric translation of 15 yards to the showtime hurdle, ten yards betwixt and what was the imperial version of 15 yards to the terminate. BTW, that means you could practice or fifty-fifty race on grass on a football field, starting on the end zone line, hurdles on every odd 5 yard line (5, 15, 25 etc.) and finish on the other end zone line. Just 110m is most a foot longer than 120 yards, and so the stop distance is slightly longer than 15 yards and that foot causes some extra adjustments. Many meets try to run the hurdles with the current of air, which means you might run either way down the straightaway. Since fifteen/10/xv is symetrical, y'all could run the imperial race in either direction. Because of the actress human foot on the finish, you tin't use the aforementioned marks metric going either management (which ways meets that desire to run a shuttle hurdles on a metric course should have all the hurdles separated by about that same foot or offset their commencement lines by that human foot). That would explain why you observe some places accept almost identical marks simply arrows or triangles to indicate which management they are referring to. Generally the 110'southward will start at the beginning of the final relay zone, a straightaway beginning line x meters farther from finish line than the 100 meter start line. If you accept the bidirectional markings, the outset mark you attain will be the outset hurdle, the one a human foot further away is the last hurdle coming the other direction. Then using the aforementioned color mark is obvious. Open competitors upwardly to age thirty run 42" hurdles (thats all the style to the top), Loftier School and historic period xxx up to 50 run 39" (that's ane click from the top). Some leagues permit immature competitors run lower hurdles, that is a local decision not in the rule book. Some elite 30+ runners keep the legacy of running the higher hurdles, and that is a variation most meet managers volition allow (except in championship meets where specifications are defined in the dominion book).

Sometimes a shorter distance is run, specially indoors. These also run fewer hurdles, usually v. Any the distance, the odd measurement is always made from the last hurdle to the finish line. So a 60 yard, 55 meter, 60 meter or 70 yard hurdles volition exist the pattern of first five hurdles and then whatever the distance is from there to the cease. That ways it is easier to invent the marker from the outset line to an odd terminate line in the middle of the straightaway, rather than from the middle of the straightaway to the mutual stop line. Since the men'southward race is a hybrid from an imperial race, yous will have to mark every hurdle position to become a metric race stop at the common finish. I can't recall always seeing a metric track that has such markings.

Hurdle #	1	2	3	four	5	six	vii	eight	nine	10	Finish
From Outset	xiii.72	22.86	32.00	41.14	l.28	59.42	68.56	77.lxx	86.84	95.98	110
Hurdle #	10	9	8	7	6	five	iv	3	2	1	Outset
From Finish	xiv.02	23.16	32.30	41.44	50.58	59.72	68.86	78.00	87.14	96.28	110

Women's 100 Hurdles

This and all other races take originated in metric distances, so there are no odd distances to be compensated for. But this race is not symetrical. It goes 13 meters to the starting time hurdle, 8.5 meters between and finishes with a 10.5 meter run in to the finish. The 100 meter start line is in the middle of the concluding 4x100 exchange zone. In gild to run backwards, a few places have simply created an actress set of start and finish lines (and use the same hurdle marks). Apply the kickoff line farthest from the first hurdle, thus the finish line is the closest of the 2 lines to the last hurdle. On most tracks, with one direction finishes, y'all volition only find ii sets of brusque hurdle marks, the women's is the one with less distance in between marks.

For women'due south 60m hurdles, again use the start of the race and the beginning 5 hurdles. Thus the the end line would exist the 10th 400 hurdle mark.

Hurdle #	ane	2	3	4	v	6	7	8	nine	x	End
From Start	13.0	21.5	30.0	38.5	47.0	55.v	64.0	72.5	81.0	89.v	100
Hurdle #	x	9	eight	7	6	5	4	three	2	1	Starting time
From Cease	10.5	xix.0	27.5	36.0	44.v	53.0	61.5	70.0	78.5	87.0	100

Long Hurdles

The spacing on either the 300 or 400 hurdles is the same. 45m from start line to the first hurdle, 35m betwixt. Just the offset lines are in different places on the track, and so in that location are two sets of markings. The but marker in the showtime 100m (the plough) is the one for 400H. If you are on the other end of the track, that is also the ane that lines up with the showtime of the concluding 4x100 relay zone (normally still in the plow). The 300 hurdles marking is the one that lines up with the beginning of the 4x400 zone almost the finish line, and will exist the ane 5 meters farther to the cease line in every pair of long hurdle marks all the way around the rail. The 400H marks should be green and the 300H marks should be reddish, just don't depend on that equally so many painters deviated from the color lawmaking. The 400h finishes with 40m to the finish,

By the way, if you are running a 400H, yous should know the difference between a 400 meter (metric) track and a 440 g (regal) track, which is almost 7 anxiety longer. I have never seen an imperial track that does not have metric markings (though information technology is possible), and then that is ordinarily the inkling. If the commencement line in lane i is non on the common end, you are dealing with a rail that is not 400m (though there are a couple of tracks that are likewise not regal, merely an improper measurement on construction). If you are on an erstwhile imperial rail, at that place might be double markings for staggered showtime and hurdle marks. The imperial marks are the same 7 anxiety before the metric marks.

Men and Women up to historic period 49, Intermediate Boys, Intermediate Girls, Young Men and Young Women all do the normal international 400m races, males at 36", females at 30" Men l-59 lower the hurdles ane notch to 33" The Masters 300H races for both men and women run a different altitude to the starting time hurdle 50m, so the hurdles are in the same place as the 400H race. They go along with 35m spacing and finish with 40m to the end.

High Schools (as mentioned above) run 300m in most states, boys at 36", girls at 30" except when local rules cause a change.

Steeplechase

Steeplechase actually seems easy compared to the various hurdle heights and markings. Steeplechase is much less precise, meaning the distance runners practise not count their steps and program their distance between barriers. In fact, the altitude between barriers could be different depending if this is an inside, slice or outside design. The only rule is the spacing between the 4 barriers and h2o spring should exist evenly spaced effectually the odd sized lap, that the water bound is the next to final bulwark and that the terminal bulwark should exist 68m before the finish line (which kind of puts the others in their relative position). Most tracks that accept steeplechase already accept that worked out, merely at that place are a couple of exceptions to look out for. If the water bound is on the same terminate of the track every bit the finish line, the steeplechase will finish at the opposite finish line from the mutual finish line (examples: Mt. SAC, USC, LBCC, Mira Costa College and CSLA). And if the h2o leap is a slice, pregnant a short track across only half the inside of a turn (examples, Stanford, Westward Valley Higher, Higher of the Canyons, CMS and SJCC), the finish line could be well-nigh 20 meters downward the straightaway from the common stop line.

There are only ii barrier heights to be enlightened of. Youth, Women and Men over 60 run xxx" and Men from High School upward to age 59 run 36" barriers. Masters and Youth run 2000 meters. If they are adjustable, it is ordinarily with a bolt or pivot arrangement--the fancier models use a knob to tighten. Some have combinations of locking rings (you lift upward on the ring then after it is in the new location putting the ring back down locks it in identify).

To movement the barriers, it is suggested you utilise two people, then yous don't elevate these heavy barriers on the easily damaged all weather condition surface of the track. To suit the barriers, you should accept iii people--one to hold each end and the third to do the aligning. If most of these adaptable barriers are not counterbalanced (meaning if i finish slides lower than the other) as they are adjusted, they are so closely aligned to the back up frame that it will get stuck. Do not try to do this by yourself--you lot could impairment the barrier.

On a 3000, the barriers earlier the common finish line (meaning the water spring and the one on the straightaway after information technology) are not used on the first lap. That get-go fractional lap is run on the regular rail. That ways the get-go barrier is the the i just after the terminate line after you accept vii laps to get. The barrier on the straightaway needs to be put in place AFTER the race has started. Depending on if the water jump is within (or outside) the curb (or cones) separating (or directing) the athletes from (or to) the water leap besides should be removed (or placed) after the athletes laissez passer that signal. Doing the math, that means 28 barriers and 7 water jumps in a vii and a half lap race.

Obviously moving barriers and removing curbs during the race requires the staff to do and then.

The difference in a 2000 is it is a 5 lap race. And it is missing the first two barriers, which are the two between the first line and the water jump. Again doing the math, that is 18 barriers and 5 h2o jumps.

About tracks are non marked for the 2000 kickoff. To measure the 2000 outset where it does not be, you measure the distance from the (leading edge of the) 200 meter first line in lane one to the existing 3000 steeplechase showtime. For the metrically challenged, I really propose you do this metric or it will fry your brain. Of course you demand to take note of the management FROM the 200 start, if the track has an inside water leap you volition exist walking back into the straightaway. If it is an outside water jump you lot volition exist walking frontwards into the turn. The easiest way for me to calculate is to divide by seven then multiply by 5, merely if yous take a computer with you, multiply past . 7143. So measure out that distance from the mutual showtime/finish line in the same style and direction as you took the original measurement.

Old Hurdle Races

There used to exist other hurdle races and occasionally new hurdle races are invented. The nigh mutual of those defunct races is the 220y and 180y low hurdles. Being invented in the imperial days, these followed imperial measurements. The hurdles were 30" 20yards to the offset hurdle and 20 yards in between. California Loftier Schools ran the 180 depression hurdles until 1974 (many other states evolved nearly the same time), so many of us relics can still claim high schoolhouse records in those events (since nobody is running them anymore). The old 220y (and its metric equivalent) are two of the five globe records set by Jesse Owens that one day. Since this race was usually run on a straightaway, many sometime facilities still show remnants of the 220y straightaway that was needed for this race. Because the directly 220y existed, i plow 440y and straight 220y races (without hurdles) were also contested causing carve up records to be kept. It took until 1996 for Michael Johnson to finally beat the onetime straightaway 200 record held by Tommie Smith set in 1967.

Some other permutation I accept seen is a metric 200 low hurdle race, which was doubling the distances of the women'south 100m hurdles. This was a fun addition to some local meets that gave otherwise unrecognizable athletes a hazard to hunt a record. Because I was able to consistently become through this odd race without falling apartment on my face, I held the "World Tape" for over a year as I ran through the carnage of my faster challengers who had impaled themselves on hurdles before I e'er got there.

The above were the basics, hither is the unique data this page offers:

Age Group Hurdles

Since this contains more (corrected) information than the rulebook, run into directors are urged to impress these charts out and utilize it as a guide to place your hurdles.

Men 19-29 of course run the Men's 110HH at 42" as described above.

Loftier School, Women upwardly to age 39, Intermediate and Young Women run the Women's 100H at 33" as described in a higher place

High School, Men 30-49, Intermediate and Young Men run the Men's 110HH at 39" as described above.

Men 50-59 run the women'southward 100 spacing at 36"

For all the races below, you lot will need to create special locations to accomodate the hurdle placement. The chart will show the easy fashion to place those hurdles.

Men's 60-69 and (from a different start line) Women's forty-49

Men threescore-69 practice 100m at 33"

Men 70+ do 80m at 30" The dominion book calls for men 80+ and women threescore+ to practise 27" internationally.

For the charts below all references are to the Women's (W)100m hurdle marks, + is toward the terminate line, - is toward the start line.

Women forty-49 too do 80m at 30" The placement is same as the Men's 60-69 merely is missing the first ii hurdles.

The get-go line for 80m is exactly at the sixth 300H mark (high school hurdles), ane.5m before W2 (relative to a common stop line).

The Women's 40-49 and Men'south 70+ first hurdle is equal to the Men's H3, significant they only do viii hurdles.

Hurdle #	Distance	Aligning
H1	12	W1 -1.0m
H2	20	W2 -1.5m
H3	28	W3 -2m
H4	36	W4 -2.5m
H5	44	W5 -3.0m
H6	52	W6 -3.5m
H7	threescore	W7 -4.0m
H8	68	W7 +4.0m
H9	76	W8 +3.5m
H10	84	W9 +3.0m

Women 50-59 and Men 70-79 exercise 80m at 30" with a different spacing, the start line is withal the 6th 300H marker, meaning W2 -1.5

Hurdle #	Altitude	Aligning
H1	12	W3 +2.0m
H2	19	W4 +0.5m
H3	26	W5 -ane.0m
H4	33	W6 -2.5m
H5	40	W7 -four.0m
H6	47	W7 +3.0m
H7	54	W8 +1.5m
H8	61	=W9

Women 60+ and Men eighty+ do the same spacing every bit above only at 27"

Long Hurdles:

Men and Women upwardly to age 49 all do the normal international 400m races, males at 36", females at thirty" Men 50-59 lower the hurdles one notch to 33"

Men 60+ and Women 50+ do 300 hurdles at 30" but continue to use the 400 meter placement, chopping off the first 3 hurdles, meaning it is a 7 hurdle race that is dissimilar from the high school race. This confuses most come across directors, particularly those who concentrate on divisions other than masters. Let me repeat, the hurdles stay on the 400m locations (meaning the run upward to the first hurdle is 5m longer) and they but do seven hurdles, so last loftier school hurdle does not exist.

Again the rule book calls for men 80+ and women 60+ to do 27" internationally. Currently, the United States has voted to take exception to that rule because our hurdle manufacturers do not provide 27" hurdles and we do non want to burden our encounter organizers with having to find 27" hurdles for the rare occurrence that nosotros have such a hurdler. Clearing a xxx" hurdle meets the qualifications of clearing a 27" hurdle (though it puts the competitor at a disadvantage obviously) so whatsoever records prepare with xxx" hurdles will qualify for international recognition..

Youth age divisions are by names rather than exact ages because they determine their ages differently, past birth yr rather than date.

Bantam divisions do not do hurdles.

Midgets Boys and Girls both do 80m at 30", the start line is the sixth 300H marking, meaning W2 -1.5

Hurdle #	Distance	Aligning
H1	12	W3 +2.0m
H2	19.five	W4 +1.0m
H3	27	=W5
H4	34.five	W6 -one.0m
H5	42	W7 -2.0m
H6	49.5	W8 -three.0m
H7	57	W9 -4.0m
H8	64.5	W9+3.5m

Youth Girls do 100m at thirty"

Hurdle #	Distance	Adjustment
H1	xiii	=W1
H2	21	W2 -0.5m
H3	29	W3 -1m
H4	37	W4 -1.5m
H5	45	W5 -2.0m
H6	53	W6 -2.5m
H7	61	W7 -3.0m
H8	69	W8 -iii.5m
H9	77	W9 -4.0m
H10	85	W9 +4.0m

Youth Boys, Intermediate and Young Women do the Women'south 100m, aforementioned top 33" and aforementioned spacing

Intermediate and Immature Men practice the High School High'due south, meaning the Men's Loftier Hurdles at 39"

Long Hurdles:

Youth Boys and Girls do 200m at 30" for the Long Hurdles. They start at the 200m start line and run the last v hurdles of a normal 400m race.

Intermediate Boys, Intermediate Girls, Young Men and Young Women all practise the normal international 400m races, males at 36", women at 30"

To reply any further questions, contact me at info@trackinfo.org

Source: http://www.trackinfo.org/hurdles101.html

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