Around The Track and Back

In the track aspect of the sport, there are a minimum of 10 events. Here are 6 out of the ten:

100 Meters: The 100 meter dash is the shortest sprint and distance you can do in track. this distance takes up about 1/4 of the track. You are typically competing against a maximum amount of 5 other people in staggered lines. Also, to try and compete a better time, runners can use spiked shoes. These help grip into the track and can make a person get a faster time! These shoes can be used in any track event.

200 meters: The 200 meter dash is the second shortest sprint and distance you can do in track. Instead of 1/4 of the track, this event takes up 1/2 of the track. You are typically competing staggered against a max amount of 5 other people, as well. The only thing that differentiates this event from the 100 meters, is this distance and the qualifying time.

400 meters: the 400 meter dash is considered the toughest sprint you can do in track. This event is sprinting one full lap around the track, typically competing against a max amount of 5 other people. This is the last of the sprinting events.

800 meters: the 800 meter run is the shortest run someone can compete. this event is double the 400 meters, making it 2 laps around the track, instead of one. therefore, instead of being in the sprinting category, it is normally event considered in the “middle-distance” category. A competitor will normally go up against 5 other people, just like every other running/sprinting event.

1600 meters: the 1600 meter run is actually the most common running event in the olympics. this event is when a runner completes 1 full mile around the track, running 4 full laps around. This is considered the “sister event” to the most uncommon running event-the 1500 meter run, otherwise known as “the metric mile”. it is almost never included in a track and field meet. for this event, just like the others, a person would typically compete against a maximum of 5 other people.

3200 meters: the 3200 meter run is the longest running event and distance that there is in track. in this event, a person would need to complete 8 full laps around. this requires the most cardio-endurance, and a lot of motivation and dedication from the runner. you compete this event with, again, a maximum of 5 other people.