The steeplechase is an obstacle track event which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.
Steeplechase races are primarily 3000m, though junior, youth and exhibition events are often 2000m or even 1500m. For the 3000m distance, there are 28 on-track barriers to clear as well as 7 total “water jumps,” totaling 7 complete 400m laps plus a fraction of a lap (run at the start of the race) without barriers or water jump. Each barrier, including that of the water jump, is 36 inches high for men’s and 30 inches high for women’s races. Some junior and youth events lower their barriers further.
Diagram produced by Dr. James Fields of the Steeple Report
The water jump is located on the back turn (leading into the home straightaway) and is located either to the inside of lane one or to the outside of the outer lane. It consists of a barrier immediately followed by a “pit” of water, the surface of which is 12 feet long. The bottom of the pit slopes upward from 70 centimers deep at the end closest to the barrier to track surface level. Thus, a longer jump means a more shallow landing.
Diagram produced by Dr. James Fields of the Steeple Report
