Yes, its hot in Paris, but no, these runners arent just looking to cool off.
Its all part of their job as competitors in the steeplechase.
What is a steeplechase race?
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The Olympic steeplechase is a three-kilometer race run on a standard 400-meter outdoor track with a few notable adjustments.
For starters, the start line.
They finish at the familiar finish line used for other events.
Contestants line up shoulder to shoulder along a white curve marked on the track.
Then things get interesting.
Think: obstacles and a water pit.
Steeplechasers face 28 dry hurdles and seven water jumps throughout the race.
Steeple barriers resemble horse jumps; theyre wider, much sturdier, and shorter.
(Womens barriers stand 30 inches tall, while womens 100-meter hurdles measure 33 inches.)
In short, these barriers mean business.
Unlike sprint hurdlers, who race in separate lanes, steeplechasers often run in a tight pack.
That means that up to 18 runners could attempt to clear a barrier simultaneously.
This can get messy quickly, and its fairly common to see falls in the steeplechase.
The water is level with the track, but its deeper than it looks.
For the first four feet of the pit, the water is over 19 inches deep.
From there, it slopes gently upward for another eight feet.
Landing in the shallower water is an advantage, pro steeplechaserMarisa Howardtells SELF.
That means youll want to execute a nice long, powerful jump to avoid landing in the deep stuff.
Runners continue for a total of seven and a half laps, clearing five evenly-spaced barriers with every loop.
Where TF did the water pit come from!?
Okay, the water pit is…odd.
(Sound familiar?)
So…do your feet get wet?
So even though theyll be running through water, it might not be quite as uncomfortable as it sounds.
How do you win at steeplechase?
Like every track event, the first to cross the finish line takes the win.
But winning the steeplechase demands different skills than races that keep runners on solid ground.
The water pit in particular requires more tactical finesse.
As for landing, one foot is better than two.
Who should we be watching for in Paris?
For one, Howard!
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