Free Sample
The Complete Handbook of Track Hurdles
The Definitive Reference for Coaches, Athletic Directors, Facility Managers, and Serious Track Athletes
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: Understanding Track Hurdles
Track hurdles are standardized, engineered barriers designed to be jumped over during competitive track and field events. They are not arbitrary obstacles. Every hurdle—its height, weight, frame construction, base dimensions, and tipping sensitivity—is governed by strict specifications set by World Athletics (formerly the International Association of Athletics Federations, or IAAF), the sport's global governing body. These specifications exist for two reasons: to ensure fairness across competitions worldwide, and to protect athlete safety. Understanding what hurdles actually are means understanding their engineering, their role in different events, and why those specifications matter in practice.
What a Hurdle Is: Physical Structure
A track hurdle consists of a horizontal bar suspended above a weighted base. The bar is the obstacle an athlete jumps over; the base is what holds it in place and allows it to tip backward when struck with sufficient force. The bar itself is typically made of wood or a composite material such as aluminum or fiberglass-reinforced plastic, and it is supported by two vertical legs or posts that extend down into or rest on the base frame. The base is a flat, weighted structure—usually made of metal, most commonly aluminum or steel—that sits directly on the track.
The key engineering feature that distinguishes a hurdle from a simple fence or rail is its tipping mechanism. When an athlete strikes the bar while jumping, the bar must tip backward and out of the way. If the bar were rigidly fixed, the athlete would crash