What is the distance between hurdles in the 100m women’s hurdles competition?

Q: What is the distance between hurdles in the 100m women’s hurdles competition?

8.5m - In the 100m women’s hurdles competition, the distance between each hurdle is 8.5 meters. This spacing is standardized by World Athletics to ensure consistency in all international and national events. The race consists of ten hurdles placed evenly along the straight 100-meter track. The first hurdle is positioned 13 meters from the starting line. From there, each of the hurdles is spaced exactly 8.5 meters apart. After the final hurdle, there is a 10.5-meter run-in to the finish line. Each hurdle in the women’s 100m event is 0.838 meters (33 inches) in height. This specific spacing and height are set to suit the stride patterns of top female hurdlers, allowing them to maintain high sprinting speeds while clearing the barriers efficiently. Most elite hurdlers use a three-step rhythm between hurdles, which means they take three running strides before jumping over the next barrier. The event is a blend of speed, agility, and precise technique. Hurdlers must time their strides perfectly; too short or too long a step can disrupt rhythm and lead to hitting a hurdle. While hitting a hurdle is not an automatic disqualification, it can slow the athlete’s momentum significantly. Women’s hurdling was first contested in the Olympics in 1932 as an 80m hurdles event. It was changed to the current 100m distance in 1969 for international competitions and adopted in the 1972 Munich Olympics. Since then, the 8.5-meter gap between hurdles has been a global standard. These measurements are critical for athletes and coaches to plan stride patterns and improve race times. Even slight deviations in training can impact performance at the competitive level. Key Points: Event: 100m women’s hurdles Number of Hurdles: 10 Hurdle Height: 0.838 meters (33 inches) Distance to First Hurdle: 13 meters Distance Between Hurdles: 8.5 meters Distance After Last Hurdle: 10.5 meters Governing Body: World Athletics

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Accepted Answer

8.5m - In the 100m women&rsquo;s hurdles competition, the distance between each hurdle is 8.5 meters. This spacing is standardized by World Athletics to ensure consistency in all international and national events.
The race consists of ten hurdles placed evenly along the straight 100-meter track. The first hurdle is positioned 13 meters from the starting line. From there, each of the hurdles is spaced exactly 8.5 meters apart. After the final hurdle, there is a 10.5-meter run-in to the finish line.
Each hurdle in the women&rsquo;s 100m event is 0.838 meters (33 inches) in height. This specific spacing and height are set to suit the stride patterns of top female hurdlers, allowing them to maintain high sprinting speeds while clearing the barriers efficiently. Most elite hurdlers use a three-step rhythm between hurdles, which means they take three running strides before jumping over the next barrier.
The event is a blend of speed, agility, and precise technique. Hurdlers must time their strides perfectly; too short or too long a step can disrupt rhythm and lead to hitting a hurdle. While hitting a hurdle is not an automatic disqualification, it can slow the athlete&rsquo;s momentum significantly.
Women&rsquo;s hurdling was first contested in the Olympics in 1932 as an 80m hurdles event. It was changed to the current 100m distance in 1969 for international competitions and adopted in the 1972 Munich Olympics. Since then, the 8.5-meter gap between hurdles has been a global standard.
These measurements are critical for athletes and coaches to plan stride patterns and improve race times. Even slight deviations in training can impact performance at the competitive level.

Key Points:


Event: 100m women&rsquo;s hurdles


Number of Hurdles: 10


Hurdle Height: 0.838 meters (33 inches)


Distance to First Hurdle: 13 meters


Distance Between Hurdles: 8.5 meters


Distance After Last Hurdle: 10.5 meters


Governing Body: World Athletics

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