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Hurdles. Hurdling is an Olympic athletic running event, competed by both men and women. Hurdle races are normally run over 110m men 100m women and 400m, and is a running race with 10 barriers (hurdles) placed across the track that must jumped.
Popularity
Children run and jump almost from the time they take their first steps, It is the most common of all sporting activities, being a necessary part of so many sports, other than athletics. Hurdling is a disciplined extension of running and jumping.
Location
Historically hurdling was an outdoor event but is increasingly catered for indoors, with a whole range of indoor short distance events competed for in the winter months.
Age
Ages range from eight to eighty years, with individual athletes adjusting to their own desire and ability. Running is a very social sport with athletes actively helping and encouraging each other.
Ability
Running is such a diverse activity that it can be enjoyed in some form by all. Athletics has a range of disability rankings, so that everyone even with the severest disability can compete against athletes of like ability, even at Olympic levels.
Description
Hurdling events are normally run over 110 and 400m for men, and 100 and 400 for women. All hurdle races are run totally in lanes, there are ten hurdles in each event, that must be jumped. Hurdles are designed so that a force of 3.6 - 4kg applied to the centre of the top edge of the crossbar will overturn it, the height of hurdles varies with the length of race and age and sex of competitor. Olympic hurdle heights are women 100m 0.838m men 110m 1.067m men 400m 0.914m women 400m 0.762m
Dedication
Hurdling is probably the most technical of all running events and as such needs special training. Not only must an athlete do normal training for the distance in question, but adjust their stride length between hurdles so that their stride pattern does not interrupt there running while jumping. This takes much technical practise and dedication. No matter how good a runner you are with out a good technical style you will not be a successful hurdler.
Potential
Athletic club competitions, Inter club and regional competitions, Nationals, Internationals, With every-ones ultimate dream of representing their nation at the Athletic world championships or the Olympic games.
Closely
Related Activities
Athletics 32, Other athletic activities closely related to hurdling are Steeple Chase 39, Sprinting 41.
Cost
Athletic club Fees, Basic athletic clothing, and a good pair of shoes suitable for the particular event to be competed.
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
Energy |
Arms
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Legs
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Sight
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Hearing
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Speech |
Learning |
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