About Steeplechase

How tough is this?
7½ laps
5 steeples each lap
1 big puddle

and the cameramen and spectators swarming around the water jump hoping for a spectacular crash and splash…this is Steeplechase!

Steeplechase
Although the men’s Steeplechase is a well established Olympic event, the IAAF first included the women’s steeplechase on its world rankings program in January 2005.  The World Championships in Helsinki 2005 was the first time women’s steeplechase was included in a major championships.  The Commonwealth Games introduced this event in Melbourne 2006 (where Donna won the bronze medal) and the Olympic debut will be in Beijing 2008.

The official distance for the steeplechase event, for both men and women at senior level is 3000 metres (around 7.5 laps of the track).   At junior level, most athletes run 2000 metres.In the 3000m steeplechase, there are a total of 35 steeples (or barriers).  As well as the 28 standard steeples, there are 7 steeples followed by a water jump that is 3.6m long.   At senior level, the steeples are set at 91cm high for men, and at 76 cm for women.

Water jump
The water jump can either be located on the inside or the outside of the athletics track, depending on the size of the stadium.  Bigger stadiums usually locate the water jump on the inside of the track (due to limited space often caused by spectator seating).  In either case, the water jump is roughly set at the 250m mark on the track. The bottom of the water jump has a depth of 0.9m and slopes up to meet the track.?
The steeples are always located in the last 7 laps of the race. This means that if the water jump is on the inside, athletes bypass the first water jump and do not jump any steeples for the first 200m or so.

What is a steeple?
A steeple is not a hurdle- the main difference is its size and the weight.  A steeple is usually made of a 4”x4” wooden beam (or in many international races, fibreglass).  The steeple is painted in contrasting colours, and is on a stand so it does not fall over when hit by an athlete.

Donna’s tips
Don’t hit the steeples! It hurts!
It doesn’t really matter how you get over the steeples, but try to be economical and not waste too much energy.
Try wearing a pair of specialized steeple spikes, (which are very light and aerated so the water can drain away).
It helps to have both speed and endurance, and so athletes who run well over 1500m, 3000m and 5000m could be good at the steeplechase.