Activities Sports & Athletics Introduction to Track and Field Events Share PINTEREST Email Print Superstudio / Photodisc / Getty Images Sports & Athletics Track & Field Records Events Baseball Basketball Bicycling Billiards Bodybuilding Bowling Boxing Car Racing Cheerleading Cricket Extreme Sports Football Golf Gymnastics Ice Hockey Martial Arts Professional Wrestling Skateboarding Skating Paintball Soccer Swimming & Diving Table Tennis Tennis Volleyball Other Activities Learn More By Mike Rosenbaum Mike Rosenbaum is an award-winning sports writer covering various sports and events for more than 15 years. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Mike Rosenbaum Updated May 13, 2018 Attending a track and field meet is a lot like watching a three-ring circus, with a variety of action happening at the same time. Runners stride around the track, sometimes sprinting, other times pacing themselves. Some athletes leap over obstacles while others pass silver batons to teammates. There are horizontal and vertical jumpers, as well as throwers tossing a variety of objects. Above all, there are men and women, or girls and boys, competing in many unique events. Here's where you'll find basic introductions to the most popular track and field running, jumping, throwing, race walking and multi-sport events. Sprints and Hurdles The shortest events in terms of time are the sprint, relay and hurdle races. Competitors require speed, of course, but also need good technique when leaping hurdles, passing a baton or beginning a race from starting blocks. Middle Distance Running Balancing speed, stamina, and race strategy are key components for middle distance runners. Events range from 800 meters to two miles. Distance Running From 2000 to 10,000 meters, distance races require a combination of stamina and strategy. Marathon Running Track and field's longest running event, marathoners run thousands of miles to train for each 42.195-kilometer (26-mile, 385-yard) race. Steeplechase Races between cities - running from one church steeple to another - eventually morphed into this hybrid running event featuring hurdles and a treacherous water pit. Throwing Events A category that includes some of track and field's oldest events, the discus throw, hammer throw, shot put and javelin throw competitions require strength as well as nimble footwork and sound technique. Jumping Events Whether they leap vertically over a bar or horizontally into a sand pit, competitive jumpers must combine speed with proper form to score big in these events. Multi-Sport Events The 10-event decathlon and 7-event pentathlon are challenging tests of stamina and athletic skill