I'd say 5,000 meters, though there could be an argument for the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
I'd say 5,000 meters, though there could be an argument for the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
Then why do high school runners only do the 3200?
Anything over 3000 == long distance
I categorize it as such
0-200: short sprints
300-600: long sprints
800-5000: mid-distance
10k and up: distance
Here's what I think for the common track events:
100, 200, 400: Sprint
800, 1500/Mile, 3000: Mid-Distance
5k, 10k, Half, Full: Distance
Triple Jump, Long Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put: These are not running events, so I did not put them into a category.
out of it wrote:
I categorize it as such
0-200: short sprints
300-600: long sprints
800-5000: mid-distance
10k and up: distance
300-600? So the 400.
In reality.
100, 200, 400: Sprints
800, 1500: Middle Distance
5k, 10k, Marathon: Distance
Steeple: Novelty.
I agree with this assessment, although the mile can go either way for me even though it is traditionally classified as a middle distance event among those indoctrinated in the culture of track. But if you asked the average person about a guy who races the mile, they would think of them as distance runner (although they would probably view them as "sprinting" the entire mile). Pure milers also often run cross country not just as a training exercise (like 800m runners do), but as part of the true competitive season as well, so that also makes them a tougher call for me despite the technically correct classification of them as middle distance runners.
high schools run the 300, everywhere runs the 400, the 500 is popular at east coast college meets, the 600 is popular at many indoor meets... so more than just the 4 yes
Smoove wrote:
I agree with this assessment, although the mile can go either way for me even though it is traditionally classified as a middle distance event among those indoctrinated in the culture of track. But if you asked the average person about a guy who races the mile, they would think of them as distance runner (although they would probably view them as "sprinting" the entire mile). Pure milers also often run cross country not just as a training exercise (like 800m runners do), but as part of the true competitive season as well, so that also makes them a tougher call for me despite the technically correct classification of them as middle distance runners.
But the people who think of them of a distance runner probably don't know the distinction of middle distance.
Mustache ride wrote:
Anything over 3000 == long distance
+1
Is there a physiological distinction that could be used? Like anerobic vs aerobic, carb-burning vs fat burning, etc.? Might mean that a half is in one category for a faster runner than for a slower runner.
Not really. It's a continuum. Unless you set arbitrary barriers like 90% anaerobic, 50% etc.
Milers are clearly distance runners. Mostly aerobic training, Once a Runner culture etc. Mile and up is distance running. You can argue people that run events over 600m are distance runners.
Long distance running is a separate distinction. That's probably 10k +
All He Does Is Win wrote:
out of it wrote:I categorize it as such
0-200: short sprints
300-600: long sprints
800-5000: mid-distance
10k and up: distance
300-600? So the 400.
In reality.
100, 200, 400: Sprints
800, 1500: Middle Distance
5k, 10k, Marathon: Distance
Steeple: Novelty.
Agree with this. 5k is distance running, not mid-distance.
This entire thread is about semantics. Each distance does not change regardless of what you want to call it.
sky wrote:
I'd say 5,000 meters, though there could be an argument for the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
I'd say the 5000m is middle distance just because 1500m runners sometimes move up to it.
100m to 400m: sprints
800m to 5000m: middle distance
8000m to half marathon: distance
25K+: long distance
600 meters or less = sprints
800 to 2000 meters = middle distance
3000 meters or more = distance
There are some physiological factors that make the distinctions not entirely arbitrary.
800m = roughly equal aerobic and anaerobic = mid distance.
15K/HM = just under/at/just over lactate theshhold = distance.
Marathon = far enough that everyone has to worry about carb intake
But everything from 1500m to 10K involves mostly aerobic running at faster than your lactate threshold, so I don't know a good place to draw a line based on physiology.
You should talk to some sprinters about this classification.
Also some middle distance runners. Where is an athlete who performs remarkably at 300 and 600?
Hard to say that 5k is not “distanceâ€