Steeplechase (athletics)

The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics (track and field), which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.

Rules

The length of the race is usually 3000 m, seven and a half laps of the 400m track. In the first half lap runners encounter no barriers. In each subsequent lap the runners encounter five barriers. According to IAAF rules, barrier height is 914 mm (36 in) for men and 762 mm (30 in) for women. Unlike those used in hurdling, steeplechase barriers do not fall over if hit; some runners actually step on top of them, although it is usually better to hurdle them. Four of the barriers are on level ground, and the fifth barrier at the top of the second turn (fourth barrier in a complete lap from the finish line) is the water jump, which consists of a barrier followed by a pit of water which is 3.66 m (12 ft) long and slopes upward from 700 mm (27.6 in) deep at the barrier end to even with the surface of the track. This slope rewards runners with more jumping ability, for they land in shallower water. Many runners can completely "clear" (jump over) the water pit, and the majority of runners step onto this barrier and then jump rather than hurdling it. It is important to land on only one foot if jumping off the barrier so as to keep the stride going. If both feet are landed upon, it may take a few seconds to get back into the rhythm of running. The toe off is also important when jumping off the water barrier so as to jump as far across as possible

History

The steeplechase (at varying distances) has been an Olympic event since the inception of the modern Olympics. Since the 1968 Summer Olympics the steeplechase in the Olympics has been controlled by Kenyan athletes, including a sweep of the medals at the 2004 Games.

The steeplechase for women (3,000 metres long, but with lower barriers than for the men) made its first major championship appearance at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki.

Records

The official world record in the 3000 m steeplechase for men is held by Saif Saaeed Shaheen of Qatar (formerly Stephen Cherono of Kenya) at 7:53.63 and was set on September 3, 2004 during the Memorial van Damme in Brussels. On August 16, 2002 Brahim Boulami of Morocco ran 7:53.17 but as of September 2004 this was still awaiting ratification from the IAAF. Said ratification is likely not forthcoming, as Boulami is only now (2005) returning to competition after a two year ban for testing positive for EPO.

The first person to run steeplechase in under eight minutes was Moses Kiptanui of Kenya in 1995.

External links

http://www.iaaf.org/downloads/IAAFhandbook/index.html - IAAF rules

Events in athletics

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Rules

History

Records

External links