MIDDLE DISTANCE

PREPARED BY:
MILES JOSE MARI PAGHARION
BUENVINIDO P. GALILA
JOHN RUDOLF MONTERO
DENETTE ROSE OLIDO
 There are two main middle distances
events; the 800 m and the 1500 m. The
mile is also classified as a middle distance
event and although it is not included in
any major championships. Success races
depends on high speed and good pacing
and athletes require a combination of
speed, strength, and stamina. They are
usually tall and long legged. Although
muscular, they must also be light as a
driving excess weight wastes energy.
 800
meters
 HISTORY

Races over the middle distances took place in the ancient Olympic
games and were revived in the middle of the 19th century. A men’s
800m has been held every Olympic Games since 1896. Women
first contested it at the 1928 Games, but it was dropped from the
roster and reinstated in 1960.
 HOW IT WORKS

The shortest middle distance event is run over two laps of a 400m
track. Athletes make a standing starts from the staggered positions
and run in lanes until the end of the first bend, which when they
can break for the inside.
 Did you know that…

Cuba’s Alberto Juantorena, aka White Lightning, is the only man to

win the Olympic 400m and 800m titles at the same games, doing
so at Montreal in 1976.
1500
meters
 HISTORY

In the USA and Great Britain, the Mile (1609m) was a common
middle distance race, but the metric 1500m has been contested by
men at every Olympic Games since 1896. it wasn’t until the 1972
Games in Munich, however, that women raced over this distance.
 HOW IT WORKS

Runners compete over three-and-three-quarter laps of a 400m

track. They make a bunched standing start and can break
immediately for the inside.
 Did you know that…

When Hicham el Guerrouj set his world record of 3:26.00 in

Rome in 1998 he ran less than 55 seconds for each lap.
 THE START

In the 800m, the start is staggered and situated on a bend.

The first 100m of this race is run in lanes, in the 1500m athletes
simply line up across the track for the start and can break for the
inside lane straight away.
 In all middle distance races a standing
start is used. There is just one starting
command (On your marks) before the
gun is fired. On hearing the command,
runners adopt a standing start. The
runners are now in position for a
standing start, thus the weight is on the
front leg and the feet must be behind
the starting line.
 TECHNIQUE

The aim of the middle distance runner is to run the race in a fast
and steady pace. His running action is much more economical than
a sprinters because of the extra distance he has to cover during the
race.
 TECHNIQUE

The athlete moves his arms in a much less exaggerated style than the
sprinter’s pumping action, and his forearms swing slightly across his
body. His stride is also shorter and more relaxed than the sprinter’s,
and his knee lift is slightly lower. His shoulders should not be level,
not hunched, as this will cramp his rib cage and, in turn, his lungs.
The athlete should keep his hands loosely cupped in order to avoid
any tension in his arms.
 TECHNIQUE

It should appear effortless with a rhythmic, bouncy stride. Any sideways

movement (such as his head wobbling or shoulder rocking) is a sign of bad
technique and restricts his forward drive.
Hands loosely cupped
Head Steady
Arms swinging
Back leg extended
Level Shoulders
 TRAINING

The human body has two systems for generating energy: the aerobic
system which uses oxygen the anaerobic system which does not.
 TRAINING

The anaerobic system provides energy instantly, but only for a short
period of time. It is most important in short, fast, explosive events
such as sprinting and hurdling. The aerobic system provides long-
term energy, but slowly, and is most in the longer, endurance events
such as the marathon. A middle distance runner is required to use
both of the systems simultaneously.
 TRAINING

Training includes drills such as interval training (alternating fast

runs and jogs on the track), resistance training (for example,
running with weights) and strength work. Speed drills are also
important, as they help to increase the speed to increase the speed at
which an athlete can comfortably cruise.
 TACTICS

The athlete’s aim is to maintain the same pace throughout the race,
as constant changes of speed waste energy. The only variants to
the place should be at the start and finish, when an athlete may
have to sprint in order to get into a good position.
 TACTICS

Athletes also try to run in the inside lane for as much of the race is
possible, as by the running in the other lanes they have to travel
further. By running just one bend in the second lane an athlete has
to cover 4m extra, which uses valuable energy.

Athletes who started the race in the outside lanes try to reach the
inside lanes as quickly as possible.
 RACE POSITIONING

An athlete has to choose whether to lead the field or follow a leader.

At the start of the final lap, a bell is rung. This is a signal for the
pace to increase, as athletes try to break away from the field. Thus
may result in a mass sprint down the home straight.
 PACEMAKERS

Pacemakers are the athletes who has been entered in the race
specifically to set the pace in the early laps.
 EQUIPMENT

SHOES
Middle distance runners will
fall on to their heel to
cushion the foot against its
heavy work load. Their shoes
therefore have a strong
protective heel wedge.
ICONS
Wilson Kipketer

The ice-cool Kenyan-born

Dane won three world titles and
broke Seb Coe’s 16-year-old world
record in 1997, running 1: 41.24 in
Zurich. Later that year, in Cologne,
he lowered the mark to 1: 41.11.
Maria Mutola

In an international career that

spanned 20 years, the Mozambican
athlete won three world titles and
took Olympic gold (Mozambique’s
first) in 2000.
Hicham El Guerrouj

The Moroccan won four

consecutive world titles (1997-
2003) and finally secured that
elusive Olympic gold in 2004. He is
also the current world record-
holder for the mile with his 3:43.13
Svetlana Masterkova

The Russian was originally an

800m runner, but she achieved far
more than 1500m. At the 1996
Olympic Games she became the
second woman to land 800m/1500m
gold double. She later won the
European (1998) and world (1999)
1500m titles. She currently holds the
world record at 4:12.56
GOD BLESS!
LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL.
THANK YOU!