Steeplechase - 3/12/17

As an added bonus of working with Coach Buzz from Texas Express, after we were done with our high jump lesson, we were delighted to get the chance to try the steeplechase.  The most difficult part of that event has simply been locating a track with the right set-up.  Most high schools do not run the event and the college coaches I have contacted weren’t too motivated to help us out.  When Coach Buzz heard we still needed to complete that event, he offered us a chance.

 

The steeplechase is a 3000 meter (7 ½ lap) event and has been part of the men’s Olympic program since 1920.  It was added in 2008 for the women.  It gets its name from the similar horse racing event and originated in Ireland.  Horses and riders would race from town to town, using church steeples as guides since they could be seen from far away.  During the race, the horse would likely have had low stone walls and streams to jump over.  In the human version, the 3000m race consists of 28 barriers and 7 water jumps, which equates to 4 barriers and 1 water jump per lap.

 

The barriers are quite different than traditional hurdles.  First they are quite long so that multiple jumpers can go over them at once.  They cover approximately the first 3 lanes on the track.  They are also square – around 4”x4” – and covered by the same type of rubber material that most tracks are made of.  This shape and material aids in the jumps, as many racers step up onto the barrier, in stride, then jump off.  The women’s barriers stand 30” high.

 

Steeplechase barrier

The final barrier includes the water jump.  Immediately behind the barrier is a pit full of water.  Nearest the barrier, it is approximately 28” deep (we had no clue it was that deep!).  It is 12 feet long and at that farthest point from the barrier, is at track height.  The further out an athlete can jump from the barrier, the less water she’ll be landing in.  We saw some preliminary rounds of this event in Rio and there were a number of approaches by the women.  Some did jump the regular barriers completely.  Most chose to step on the water barrier to clear as much of the water as possible.  Others however, almost hopped over the barrier, landing in the deepest part of the water.

 

A few of us decided to run a lap, a couple of us decided to go ahead and give the water barrier a go.  Since it’s such a long drop, we opted to essentially sit on the barrier and jump from there.  Surely the shoes the athletes wear for this are highly specialized, as running with soggy tennies wasn’t easy!

 

J and R approach the water barrier

J setting up for her jump

Into the water

And continues her lap

We were happy to get the chance to learn a bit more about this event and have a chance to splash down in the water barrier.  Event #106 complete – only 5 more to go!!!