Athletics: Track and Field Games and Events

Track and Field or Athletic Events are contest of running, Jumping and Throwing.

Running Events
 Running Events are races involving speed of motion movement (from the starting line towards the finish line). The runner who runs fastest at a distance wins the race. It is measured by time. Running events are categorized according to the distance. Internationally, these are sprints hurdles, middle and long distances. The categorical distances are as follows:

Sprints	Middle Distances	Long Distances
100 meter 200 meter 400 meter 100 meter hurdles 110 meter hurdles 400 meter hurdles 4 x 100 meter relay 4 x 400 meter relay	800 meter 1,500 meter	3000 meter 3000 steeplechase 5000 meter 10,000 meter 15 km- up (optional distance) 42.195 km- marathon

 All running events are conducted in the track oval which has an innermost measure of 400 meters. The direction of runs are counter-clockwise. During competition, some long distance races such as the marathon are run outside the oval but finish line is still inside the oval.

Jumping Events
 Jumping Events are contest of leaping and jumping. They are measured by the height or length of the jump; vertical or horizontal. Jumping with the highest and the longest distance wins the event. The four jumping events are as follows;

1. Long Jump
2. Triple Jump
3. High Jump
4. Pole Vault

Throwing Events

 Throwing Events are competitions of throws, measured by the distance of the thrown implement from the throwing area to the ground where it hits first.

 The winner of the event is the strongest who can throw the farthest. The four throwing event are as follows;

1. Shot Put
2. Discus Throw
3. Javelin Throw
4. Hammer Throw

  Running Events are also called Track Events because these are conducted in the track or lanes of oval. Jumping and Throwing Events are generally called Fields Events since these are played inside or outside but near the Track oval.
 Other track and Field events are combinations of Running, Jumping, and Throwing Events. These are called Combined Events.

The Pentathlon
Long Jump       Javelin Throw       200 meter       Discus Throw       1,500 meter
The Decathlon for Male
First Day	Second Day
100 meter         Long Jump         Shot Put         High Jump        400 meter	110 meter        Discus Throw       Pole Vault        Javelin Throw        1,500 meter
The Heptathlon for Female
First Day	Second Day
100 meter hurdle        High Jump        Shot Put       200 meter	Long Jump          Javelin Throw        800 meter

Source: Track and Field Fundamentals by: Estefanio T. Bernos