A steeplechaz or running with obstacles of 3 thousand meters is one of the disciplines that make up the running track and field program. This discipline teaches athletes to be hardy, attentive, technical, tactful.
The steeplechaz officially appeared around the middle of the 19th century in the UK, where the results of running Oxford students at a distance of 3218 meters were recorded.
Obstacle race is included in the list of Summer Olympic Games for men in 1920, and for women - since 2008 and includes: overcoming the obstacle “pit with water”, running between obstacles.
In total, the athlete must overcome 35 different barriers, including seven water pits.
In world sports today leading positions are occupied by male runners from Kenya and female runners from Russia.
The main difficulty of this kind of athletics is considered to be the uniform distribution of power over all 7 circles plus the preservation of additional physical potential to overcome obstacles. The athlete is allowed to jump over the barrier without touching his feet (which significantly reduces the time spent), and step on him with his foot.
Obstacle race is considered one of the most difficult subspecies of athletics, because during its implementation the athlete needs to not only run a great distance, but also overcome all 35 obstacles on the way to the finish line. This requires maximum endurance and physical effort.
Running 400 meters with hurdles is a short distance run for men and women. This is a standard circle. At this distance, 10 barriers are set, each height is 91.4 meters for men and 76.2 m for women. Athletes are allowed to step on barriers and shoot down obstacles without penalties.
110 meter hurdling is the most challenging track and field event. The height of the barrier for men is 106.7 meters, and for women - 83.3 meters. The distance between the barriers does not change and is equal to 9.14 meters. Only the distance from the start to the first obstacle is slightly larger and equal to 13.72 meters.
Conditionally, the change in the athlete’s speed can be divided into 4 parts: start and take-off after start; overcoming an obstacle; running between obstacles and finishing.
Basically, the technique of running with obstacles is similar to the technique of conventional long-distance running. But there are still some exceptions. The difference lies in the athlete’s ability to correctly calculate and timely change the angle of repulsion from the ground in front of the obstacle, as well as immediately after it. In addition, it is necessary for the runner to bounce and land correctly after the jump. With unsuccessful movements, various sprains and injuries are possible. The repulsion should be another 210 meters to the barrier.
When crossing an obstacle, the athlete bends the jogging leg in the knee and pulls it to the body to reduce inertia. You should land on the toe, without touching the track with the heel.
In order for an athlete to learn how to run an obstacle correctly, there are certain methods developed over the years:
- technique for introducing an athlete to hurdling ;
- learning how to overcome obstacles ;
- learning technique and rhythm of running between obstacles;
- learning the techniques of low start and acceleration after start;
- training in hurdling techniques and improving running techniques.