Runners complete a total of seven and a half laps, passing through five equally spaced barriers on each lap.
Where on earth did the puddle come from?!
Okay, puddles are… weird. Puddle-filled track steeplechase likely originated from the equestrian event of the same name. In the original horse steeplechase, jockeys raced through 18th-century Irish towns, using pointy church spires as guides to navigate the course. The Washington Post The horses reportedly overcame natural barriers along the way, including fences, stone walls, streams and rivers. (Sound familiar?)
Eventually the event changed from a horse race to a foot race, but the drama of the wet and dry obstacles remained. BritannicaThe human steeplechase was first held as a cross-country race at Oxford University in 1850. The men’s steeplechase became an Olympic sport in 1920, but it was 88 years before the women’s event was included in the Olympics.
So… will your feet get wet?
It’s unfortunate to answer your most pressing question with “Yes, runners’ feet get wet,” but most steeplechasers run without socks, and because their racing shoes (called spikes) are so lightweight and skin-tight, runners aren’t running around in heavy, soggy training shoes. So, even if you do end up running in water, it might not be as uncomfortable as you think.
How do I win an obstacle course?
As with other track events, the first person to cross the finish line is the winner. But winning an obstacle course requires different skills than a race that keeps a runner on the ground, especially in the water pit, which requires more tactical finesse. Unlike sprint hurdles, runners gain momentum as they approach the water jump, ride over the barrier, and then soar over the water.
You need to be confident. “The biggest thing is to make sure you’re not stumbling or shuffling in and out of the hurdles,” Howard says. Runners often have to jump towards obstacles, he explains, even if someone is blocking their view. When it comes to landing, one foot is better than two. “When you land on what’s known as a ‘two-footed’ run, you lose a lot of momentum,” Howard says.
The jumps are highly strategic and there is plenty of room for error, so exiting the water jump can dramatically change the race, making it a particularly exciting event for spectators.
Who should we look out for in Paris?
First up, Howard! The day after his interview with SELF, Howard qualified for Paris at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. Valery Constine and Courtney WaymentHoward, a Boise State University graduate and former school nurse, is backed by running apparel brand Tracksmith but doesn’t have a major traditional sponsor (yet), and she ran a personal best at the trials, smashing her personal best by 15 seconds and earning a spot on her first Olympic team at age 31.
Nike-sponsored Constine also ran a personal best, breaking the meet record with a time of 9 minutes 3.22 seconds to become the national steeplechase champion. The 28-year-old Colorado native has Olympic experience, having competed for the U.S. in the steeplechase in Tokyo, where he placed 12th. On-sponsored Wayment, 25, also ran a personal best at the trials (finishing in 9 minutes 6.55 seconds) and will carry her 2022 NCAA title in the steeplechase into the Olympics.
Steeplechasers Peruse Chemutai of Uganda and Beatrice Chepkoech of Kenya won’t make it easy for the U.S. team, but we’ll be watching and rooting for them. Catch all of the Olympic steeplechase action, from the qualifying rounds on August 4 to the finals on August 6.
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