36 400 metres correspond to a complete lap of the track. Can you describe the crouch position? The event is named after the legendary 26-mile run made by a Greek soldier called Philippides from the scene of the battle of Marathon to Athens, where he announced the defeat of the invading Persians. ONLINE RESOURCES Extreme marathons baton: bacchetta, testimone bend: curva bunched: raggruppato to crouch: accovacciarsi to knock down: buttare a terra lane: corsia lap: giro to line up: allinearsi pace: velocit , ritmo to stagger: sfalsare 74 RUNNING AND WALKING EVENTS The running events are divided into three main categories: the sprints, 100-200-400 metre races which require a sustained top speed. The athletes start the race at starting blocks in a crouch position and keep their lane during the entire race. In the 100m, the athletes line up at the starting blocks, while in the 200m and 400m, because of the bend of the track, the starting blocks are staggered to let the athletes run the same distance; middle-distance running, 800-1,5002,000-3,000 metre races which require specific running tactics. In the 800m, the athletes start at staggered starting blocks, but can change their lane after the first bend. In the longer distances, the athletes start in a bunched standing start and can immediately break for the inside lane, the shortest. long-distance running, from 5,000 metres upward. Here, speed becomes a less important factor, while pace, endurance, and aerobic capacity play the key role. Athletes do not stick to lanes and reserve energy for the fast, final lap known as the finishing kick . Here are some examples. Sprints The hurdling event combines sprinting with jumping over a series of ten obstacles called hurdles over a 110m (100m for women) or 400m course. Hurdles can be knocked down by feet or legs, but using hands causes a disqualification. A relay includes two team events (4x100m and 4x400m) and involves four runners per team, each member carrying a baton for 25% of the total distance before passing it to the next team runner. Speed and the ability to pass the baton well are crucial. Middle-distance In the 3000 metres steeplechase, athletes cover a distance of 3000m, but the precise number of laps depends on the position of the water jumps (placed on the inside or the outside of the track s second bend). Athletes must clear 28 fixed barriers and seven water jumps. Long-distance A marathon is a 42.195km race which takes place on the road but usually finishes in a stadium. The technique is mainly based on the flexibility and endurance of the body. A racewalking is a 20km or 50km race held both on roads and running tracks. Its technique imposes that one foot must always be in contact with the ground.