AY Honors/Track & Field/Answer Key

200 metres sprint

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.

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. The distance was used in a race between 1996 Olympic champions, the 100 m gold medalist Donovan Bailey (Canada) and 200 m gold medalist Michael Johnson (USA). It was to decide who of the two, was really the 'fastest man on earth' (see Bailey-Johnson 150-metre race).

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 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 and run at all Canadian indoor track and field races because it is a recognized event at the Canadian University Championships. It is also run at some United States high school indoor competitions. 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.

Biological factors for runners

Some biological factors that determine a sprinter's potential are:

• Muscular strength
• Adrenaline use
• Anaerobic respiration capacity
• Breathing
• Proportion of fast twitch muscles

Other sports

• The most common distance for rowing races is 2 kilometres. Races may be held at less than 1 km, which are known as dashes.
• Horse Racing and Hamster racing have sprint distance events.
• 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. 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.
• A 90 m beach sprint is held in surf lifesaving carnivals in Australia.
• Sprint car racing is a type of auto racing held in short ovals. In motorcycle racing and other auto racing disciplines, the term sprint race is used to describe a short race, for example one that lasts under 30 minutes.

See also

• World record progression 100 metres men
• World Record progression 100 m women
• National champions 100 metres (men)
• 100 yard dash
• Athletics (track and field)
• Athletics long distances
• Athletics middle distances
• Footspeed
• List of sprinters
• Relay race
• Motorsport

External links

• Top 10 greatest sprint races in history