Here are the events that we do at GAC.

Distances above 200m are restricted in some age groups. Check with your coach.

• 100m – The 100 metres is a fast explosive power event.
• 200m – the 200 metres requires similar skills and abilities as the 100 metres, but clearly the ability to maintain a high speed over the additional distance is very important.
• 300m/400m – The 400 metres for senior sprint athletes is considered to be the ultimate test as it relies upon speed, strength and endurance.
• 600/800m – 800 metres athletes have to cover two laps of the track. The event requires a tremendous amount of sped, strength and endurance.
• 1500m – The 1500 metres is one of the middle distance events. For this event you run three and three-quarter times around the track.
• 3000m steeplechase – The 3000 metre steeplechase is run over 28 hurdles and seven water jumps, each being 91.4 cm in height (for men)
• 5000m – The 5000 metres is traditionally the first event that would be categorised as “long distance” and good levels of stamina are required and a turn of speed. The race is twelve and a half laps of the track and therefore is not suitable for children. It is advisable that children concentrate on developing their skills at shorter distances (check the rules with your coach).
• 10000m – the 10,000 metres requires great amounts of strength and stamina over the 25 laps of the running track.
• Sprint Hurdles – Hurdles is a fast, explosive power event in which athletes have to sprint and clear barriers. Different age groups have different heights of hurdles to clear. It is important that the athlete learns to run with a good technique in between the hurdles.
• 300m/400m hurdles – the 400 metre hurdles is an ultimate test as it relies upon the speed of a sprinter, the strength and endurance to maintain that speed over the longer distances and also the ability to clear the hurdles.
• Discus – requirements are strength, explosive speed and control. The discus is released after a rotation around the circle. Different age groups use different weights of discus, with younger athletes learning the skill of this event using lighter objects.
• Hammer – a spectacular event in which strength, explosive speed and control are all essential. The hammer is released after a rotation around the circle. Younger athletes will not use a full weight hamper until later. Different age groups use different weights of hammer.
• Javelin – a spectacular event, in which the competitors hurl a spear like implement. As with hammer and discus, different age groups use different weight (and length) javelins.
• Shot – this is the projecting of a solid metal ball from within the confines of a concrete circle. The requirements of the event are strength, explosive speed and control. The shot is released after a glide or rotation round the circle.  Different age groups use different weighted shots.
• High jump – the high jump involves athletes jumping over a horizontal bar without knocking it off. The high jump bar is raised each time the athletes successfully clear each height. The most common technique used by senior athletes is called the Fosbury Flop. There are two high jump techniques that you can use, the scissor jump and the Fosbury flop. It is advised that a young athlete practices and develop their skills at the scissor jump first.
• Long Jump – the long jump is a sequence of movements from the run up, to taking off from the board, to the movement whilst jumping and the landing in the sand.
• Triple Jump – Formerly called the ‘Hop, step, jump’ a high degree of flexibility, control, speed and strength is required to master this event.  Minimum  age for this event is 11 owing to the stress it places upon the body.
• Pole vault –  one of the most spectacular of the field events in which a combination of strength, speed, agility and gymnastic skills are all called upon.
• Decathlon – ten events, which male athletes compete in over two days. Completion open to under 20’s and older. Day one includes 100m, long jump, shot putt, high jump and 400m. day two 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin and 1500m. Points are awarded based on the athletes speed, or distance jumped/thrown.
• Heptathlon – seven events, which female athletes compete in over two days. Day one is 100m, high jump, shot putt and 200m. day two long jump, javelin and 800m. Points are awarded based on the athletes speed, or distance jumped/thrown.
• Combined events (male)  minimum age for competition is 13 yrs (under 15). The five events held over one day include 80m hurdles, shot putt, long jump, high jump and 800m. Under 17’s can compete in the Octathlon which includes long jump, discus, javelin, 400m, 100m hurdles, high jump, shot putt and 1500m.
• Combined events (female)  minimum age is under 15, the five events are 75m hurdles, shot putt, high jump, long jump and 800m. Under 17’s compete in a heptathlon with a shorter hurdle distance of 80 metres not 100m.