Middle Distance Races
Middle-distance running events are track races longer than sprints, up to 3000 metres.
The standard middle distances are the 800 metres, 1500 metres and mile run, although the
3000 metres may also be classified as a middle-distance event.
In athletics (track and field), races that range in distance from 800 metres (roughly one-half
mile) to 3,000 metres (almost 2 miles). In international competitions, middle-distance races include the
800 metres, the 1,500 metres (the metric mile), and the 3,000 metres (a steeplechase event for men,
but a regular run for women). In English-speaking countries, until the second half of the 20th century,
the 880 yards (half mile) and the mile were run as the equivalents of the 800 metres and the 1,500
metres.
Middle-distance races are set apart from the sprint (dash) races of 200 metres (about 650 feet)
or less by the pacing required; dashes are run at top speed the entire length of the race, whereas
middle-distance races require that the athletes maintain a plateau pace that allows for a final spurt of
speed, or kick.
An early favourite among middle-distance races was the mile, which in the first half of the 20th
century was run in times exceeding four minutes. Breaking the “four-minute barrier” was considered
unlikely. On May 6, 1954, however, the 25-year-old Roger Bannister of Great Britain set a record of 3
minutes 59.4 seconds in a dual meet at Oxford. With increasingly controlled climatic and surface
conditions and increasingly accurate timing devices, however, the record was lowered many times
thereafter.
Running - Rules
The runners should abide by the following rules in order to complete a race −
Sprinters should run in designated lanes and cannot cross lanes, throughout the race.
In races with bunched starts, athletes can break inside. In 800-meter race, they start
from staggered positions and can break inside after the first bend.
In longer races of 1500 meters, 5000 meters, and 10000 meters, athletes can break
inside after the start.
Sprinters shouldn’t step on white lines that mark their lanes throughout the race.
Sensors are placed in the starting pistol and at the blocks. In case of a false start, the
athlete is disqualified.
Before giving the ‘set’ command or before firing the starter gun, athletes cannot touch
the other side of the start line with their hands or feet.
Athletes should not obstruct other athletes during the race.
If an athlete is obstructed, the referee may order the race to be held again, or he may ask the
athlete to take part in the next round.
Athletes may leave the track voluntarily before the race ends, but they cannot come back to the
track else they will be disqualified.
Running races are an indispensable part of all Athletic championships. They
are also a part of Olympic since the ancient times. Many racing tournaments
are held globally. Some of them are as follows −
IAAF World Championships
IAAF World Indoor Championships
Regional Championships (Pan- American, African, Asian,
European Games)
Olympics