100/110 hurdles
Obstacle racing is a discipline characterized by overcoming barriers (hurdles) that are placed at certain heights and distances, predetermined according to the regulations.
The 110 hurdles (commonly referred to as 110hs) is an exclusively male specialty, the 100hs exclusively female.
Hurdle races are an invention of modern athletics. The first competitions would take place at the English college of Eton between 1830 and 1840.
The 110-meter hurdles race has been around since the first Athens Olympics in 1896, unlike the first women’s hurdles race held at the 1932 Olympics over the 80-meter distance. This distance remained on the Olympic program until 1968 before being replaced in 1972 by the 100hs.
In the men’s 110-meter hurdles, there are ten barriers to overcome and they are 107 centimeters high. The distance between the start and the first barrier is 13.72 meters, between one barrier and the other is 9.14 meters, and between the last barrier and the finish line the distance is 14.02 meters.
As for the women’s 100-meter hurdles, there are always ten barriers, with a height of 84 centimeters. Between the start and the first hurdle there are 13 meters, between one hurdle and another there are 8.50 meters, and the distance between the last hurdle and the finish is 10.50 meters.
The current world record in the specialty is held by Aries Merritt of the United States with a time of 12″80, set in Brussels on September 7, 2012. For women, however, the current record is held by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, with a time of 12″12 run on July 24, 2022 in Eugene.
The European 110-meter hurdles record is currently held by Britain’s Colin Jackson with a time of 12”91, set on August 20, 1993 during the World Championships in Stuttgart. While the women’s European record for the 100-meter hurdles is held by Bulgarian Yordanka Donkova, with a time of 12″21 achieved in Stara Zagora on August 20, 1988.
Evolution: as early as the 1830s, 100-hurdles races with wooden barriers were held in England. Thanks to the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, the race was increased to a distance of 109.7 meters, a distance that was later rounded to 110 meters by the French in 1888.
Penalties: by regulation, obstacles can be touched and knocked down (but not with hand or arm) and this does not result in disqualification, but clearly a higher time for the athlete in completing the test. If the athlete invades a rival’s lane he is disqualified.
Variations in races: obstacle races can vary greatly in terms of obstacle height and distance. Competitions can include high, low or intermediate obstacles, creating unique challenges for athletes.
Obstacle racing is a discipline characterized by overcoming barriers (hurdles) that are placed at certain heights and distances, predetermined according to the regulations. The 110 hurdles (commonly referred to as 110hs) is an exclusively male specialty, the 100hs exclusively female.
Hurdle races are an invention of modern athletics. The first competitions would take place at the English college of Eton between 1830 and 1840.
The 110-meter hurdles race has been around since the first Athens Olympics in 1896, unlike the first women’s hurdles race held at the 1932 Olympics over the 80-meter distance. This distance remained on the Olympic program until 1968 before being replaced in 1972 by the 100hs.
In the men’s 110-meter hurdles, there are ten barriers to overcome and they are 107 centimeters high. The distance between the start and the first barrier is 13.72 meters, between one barrier and the other is 9.14 meters, and between the last barrier and the finish line the distance is 14.02 meters.
As for the women’s 100-meter hurdles, there are always ten barriers, with a height of 84 centimeters. Between the start and the first hurdle there are 13 meters, between one hurdle and another there are 8.50 meters, and the distance between the last hurdle and the finish is 10.50 meters.
The current world record in the specialty is held by Aries Merritt of the United States with a time of 12″80, set in Brussels on September 7, 2012. For women, however, the current record is held by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan, with a time of 12″12 run on July 24, 2022 in Eugene.
The European 110-meter hurdles record is currently held by Britain’s Colin Jackson with a time of 12”91, set on August 20, 1993 during the World Championships in Stuttgart. While the women’s European record for the 100-meter hurdles is held by Bulgarian Yordanka Donkova, with a time of 12″21 achieved in Stara Zagora on August 20, 1988.
Evolution: as early as the 1830s, 100-hurdles races with wooden barriers were held in England. Thanks to the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, the race was increased to a distance of 109.7 meters, a distance that was later rounded to 110 meters by the French in 1888.
Penalties: by regulation, obstacles can be touched and knocked down (but not with hand or arm) and this does not result in disqualification, but clearly a higher time for the athlete in completing the test. If the athlete invades a rival’s lane he is disqualified.
Variations in races: obstacle races can vary greatly in terms of obstacle height and distance. Competitions can include high, low or intermediate obstacles, creating unique challenges for athletes.