Track & Field Running Events

Sprints

The shortest of all track & field running events is the 60-meter run. It is a short event that is normally held on very small indoor tracks and it allows for a straight run without major curves. This sprint has no time for recovery thus; it prioritizes bursting out of the blocks during starts.

The 100-meter run is one of track & field's fascinating events. Just like with the 60-meter event, runners keep their places in each of their assigned lanes with the fastest ones appearing in the middle lanes in multi-heat events. There are some runners with favorite spots; however, this has little significance in races without curves. This is a short distance that requires a fast start. But being beaten out of the blocks is not the end of a race as runners do have some recovery time.

Another sprinting track & field event is the 200-meter run. This race has a curve that runners must negotiate and each lane of all participants is staggered in a way that each runner covers the same distance. It is vital that a runner keeps close to the inside line without stepping on it, to avoid disqualification. This race requires endurance as runners should not just be fast, they should maintain their top speed.

The 400-meter run is a full lap around a running track. Runners have staggered starts and maintain their lanes. Technically, this race is a sprint that requires runners to pace themselves a little bit as victories associated with coming-from-behind are very rare.

Middle Distance Races

In an 800-meter race, runners start while standing but in staggered lanes. After negotiating the first curve, runners are free to leave their lanes. This is the point where competitors dash to their favorite lanes, preferably at or near the innermost lane. Some racers successfully lead the race from the start to finish while trying to maintain their fastest pace as much as possible. Others opt to use the first lap to establish their best spot on the track then use the last to unleash their last kick.

Another middle distance track & field race is the 1500-meter run that runners approximately complete four laps. This is a tactical event where eventual winners initially establish a spot in the middle or even at the back. Runners begin on a curved line then almost immediately shift their lanes to take a spot on the inside.

Long Distance Races

The 3000-meter run is both an indoor and outdoor event. Runners begin on a curved line but do not run in their lanes as they initially struggle to find a favorite position. The trick here is perseverance with the best effort saved for the final lap.

With the 5000-meter run, competitors also begin on a curved line and are elegible to run anywhere on the track immediately the race starts. Despite the fact that all long distance races are tactical in some way, runners of this race are usually running at their personal pace throughout the race rather than responding to their competitor. Tactics come towards the end as runners brace themselves for the race to end.

The 10,000-meter run is the longest track & field running event that also starts on a curved line but run without lanes. Just like in the 5000-meter race, runners here must know their pace. Most successful long distance runners depend on a strong finish to win.

Finally, there is the marathon run. It's a stand-alone race where runners run for 42.195 kilometers (26 miles and 385 yards). Here, runners begin in a large pack with little significance in the start. Competitors are usually mindful of their own pace with the major goal of finishing. The best competitors pace themselves and try to maintain their pace from start to finish.