Sprints are short running races in athletics. They are roughly classified as events in which top runners will not have to "pace themselves", but can run as fast as possible for the entire distance.
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Common distances
60 m
- The 60 metres is normally run indoors, on a straight section of an indoor athletic track. 60 metres is a sprint event in Track and field athletics. It is a championship event for indoor championships normally dominated by the best outdoor 100 Since races at this distance can last around six or seven seconds, having good reflexes and thus getting off to a quick start is more vital in this race than any other. Reaction time (RT is the elapsed time between the presentation of a sensory stimulus and the subsequent behavioral response
- This is roughly the distance required for a human to reach maximum speed and can be run with one breath. Breathing takes Oxygen in and Carbon dioxide out of the body Aerobic Organisms require oxygen to create energy via respiration, in It is popular for training and testing in other sports (e. g. speed testing for American football, although 40 yards is more common there). American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering 40 Yards (36576 m) It is primarily run to evaluate the Speed of football players by scouts,
- The World record in this event is held by American sprinter Maurice Greene with a time of 6. Maurice Greene (born July 23, 1974) is an American former sprinter in athletics, who holds several World records 39 seconds.
- 60 metres is used as an outdoor distance by younger athletes when starting in sprint.
100 m
- The 100 metres sprint takes place on one length of the home straight of a standard outdoor 400 m track. Often, the world-record holder in this race is considered "the world's fastest man/woman". The current world record of 9. 72 seconds is held by Usain Bolt of Jamaica and was set on May 31, 2008 at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York. Jamaica (ˈdʒəˈmeɪkə} is an Island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length and as much as in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. Reebok International Limited is a British producer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories and is currently a subsidiary of Adidas. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The women's world record is 10. 49 seconds held by Florence Griffith-Joyner. Florence Griffith-Joyner (born Florence Delorez Griffith) also known as Flo-Jo ( December 21, 1959 &ndash September 21,
- The 4x100 m relay is another prestigious event, with an average speed that is quicker than the 100 m, as the runners can start moving before they receive the baton.
- World Record progression 100 m men
- World Record progression 100 m women
- National champions 100 metres (men)
200 m
- This begins on the curve of a standard track (where the runners are staggered in their starting position, to ensure they all run the same distance), and ends on the home straight. The first record in the 100 m for men ( athletics) was recognised by the International Amateur Athletics Federation now known as the International Association The first World Record in the 100 m for women ( Athletics (track and field) was recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations Below a list of all National champions in the Men 's 100 metres in Track and field from several countries since 1970. The ability to "run a good bend" is key at this distance, as a well conditioned runner will be able to run 200 metres in an average speed higher than his 100 m speed. A 200 metre race is a sprint running event On an outdoor 400 m track the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight so a combination of techniques are needed to
- This race is run indoors, as one lap of the track, with only slightly slower times than outdoors.
- Four-person relays are occasionally run at this event.
- A slightly shorter race (but run on a straight track), the stadion, was the first recorded event at the Ancient Olympics and the oldest known formal sports event in history. The stadion (or stade) was an ancient foot race part of the Olympic Games and the other Panhellenic Games. The Ancient Olympic Games, originally referred to as simply the Olympic Games (Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες Olympiakoi Agones) were a series of Athletic
- The World record in this event is 19. 32 seconds, held by Michael Johnson. Michael Duane Johnson (born September 13 1967 in This is the world record with the fastest average speed (it is equivalent to two 9. 66 seconds 100 m).
400 m
- 400 metres is one lap around the track on the inside lane. 400 m is a common Track running event It is the longest common sprint distance Runners are staggered in their starting positions to ensure that everyone runs the same distance. While this event is a sprint, there is more scope to use tactics in the race; the fact that 400 m times are considerably more than four times a typical 100 m time demonstrates this. The world record is currently held by Michael Johnson, with a time of 43. Michael Duane Johnson (born September 13 1967 in 18 seconds.
- The 4x400 m relay is often held at track and field meetings, and is by tradition the final event at major championships.
- Common tactics include exploding out of the blocks and continuing to run hard through the curve. Then, the runner transits to a more "relaxed sprint" on the 1st straightaway. Once the second curve is reached, he/she starts to accelerate more, sending the body through the last 100.
Uncommon distances
150 m
- This informal distance can be used to work on a 100 m runner's stamina, or a 200 m runner's speed, and has been used as an exhibition distance. In a duel between 1996 Olympic champions, the 100 m gold medalist Donovan Bailey (Canada) beat Michael Johnson (USA). Donovan Bailey (born December 16, 1967) is a retired Canadian sprinter who once held the world record for the 100 metre race following Michael Duane Johnson (born September 13 1967 in
300 m
- Another informal distance, which could be used to aid a 200 m runner's stamina, or a 400 m runner's speed. This is usually run indoors by high school athletes.
500 m
- More common than 300 m and 150 m, because this is half a kilometre. This could aid 400 m runners in their stamina, or help a middle-distance runner to gain speed. The borderline distance between sprints and middle distance. This is usually run indoor by high school athletes and on occasion collegiate athletes.
600 m
- This race is a CIS (Canadian Universities) indoor-only event only and run at all Canadian indoor track and field races because it is a recognized event at the Canadian University Championships. It is often run by 400 m runners looking to build endurance, or 800 m runners looking to build speed. It is a demanding race, with many athletes running at a pace just below their 400 m pace. The 600 m is sometimes considered a middle distance event.
Sprinters
Versatile athletes
Most athletes will not be able to compete exclusively in one sprint event. Reasons for this could be pragmatic: only being willing to race over one distance might not earn an athlete enough prize money (or media exposure, which can lead to more money) to survive on. Where this doesn't apply, such as for more high-profile (i. e. rich) runners, an athlete may feel that running over two events is more enjoyable and varied, and gives them a better chance of success.
The indoor season is often not run by certain high-profile athletes, who may not like the atmosphere, different distances or extra corners involved. Again, some will have to run in this season in order to make a living.
While certain athletes will be strictly 100 m runners, and will run greater distances only for fun or money, many will compete in multiple events. Frankie Fredericks was successful over 100 m and 200 m (and ran the 60 m and/or 200 m in the indoor season). Frank ("Frankie" Fredericks (born October 2, 1967) is a Namibian former athlete, the first and so far only Olympic Michael Johnson won gold medals over 200 m and 400 m in the 1996 Olympics, and also in the 4 x 400 m relay. Michael Duane Johnson (born September 13 1967 in The 1996 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, were an International Runners can do well in relays when they are competitive in the individual event.
There have been a few runners who have competed successfully at both the longer sprints and middle-distance events. Alberto Juantorena won both the 400 m and 800 m at the 1976 Summer Olympics, making him the only athlete ever to achieve such a double. Alberto Juantorena Danger (born 3 December, 1950) is a former Cuban track athlete. The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, were an International Multi-sport event held in Montreal, Quebec
Hurdlers
Sometimes 100 m and 400 m runners have competed in the hurdles events at the same distances, and there is a certain amount of interchangeability between the flat and hurdle events. Hurdling is a type of track and field race There are Sprint hurdle races and long hurdle Races.
Biological factors for runners
Some biological factors that determine a sprinter's potential are:
- Muscular strength
- Adrenaline use
- Anaerobic respiration capacity
Other sports
- The most common distance for rowing races is 2 kilometres. Muscle (from Latin musculus, diminutive of mus "mouse" is contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the See also Fermentation (biochemistry Anaerobic respiration (anaerobiosis refers to the Oxidation of molecules in the absence of Oxygen to produce GB coxless pair of Toby Garbett & Rick Dunn at Henley Royal Regatta 2004 Races may be held at less than 1 km, which are known as dashes.
- Horse Racing and Hamster racing have sprint distance events. This article is about the sport For other uses see Horserace (drinking game or Horse race (politics. Hamster racing is a sport in which Hamsters are placed in Hamster wheels fitted to miniature racing vehicles and raced down a straight 9 meter (30 ft course
- Track cycling features a sprint event, in which usually two riders compete over a distance of 1000 metres, though only the final 200 m may be timed. Track cycling is a Bicycle racing Sport usually held on specially-built banked tracks or Velodromes (but many events are held at older velodromes where the The sprint is a Track cycling event involving a one-on-one match race between opponents who unlike in the Individual pursuit, start next to each other However, the time is normally immaterial - the aim is to be first across the line and win two races in a 'best of three races' match.
- The term sprinting can be applied in any racing sport, such as swimming. Swimming is the movement by humans or animals through Water, usually without artificial assistance
- A 90 m beach sprint is held in surf lifesaving carnivals in Australia.
See also
- Athletics (track and field)
- Athletics middle distances
- List of sprinters
- Athletics long distances
- Relay race
- Footspeed
- Motorsport
External links
Middle distance track events are track races longer than sprints up to (and arguably including 3000 Metres. This page is an international list of male and female athletes of the sprint race. Long-distance track event races require runners to balance their energy During a relay race, members of a team take turns Running, Orienteering, Swimming, Cross-country skiing, Biathlon, or Skating Footspeed, or sprint speed, is the maximum speed at which a Human can run.Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic