Hurdle vs. Steeplechase — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
Hurdle racing involves athletes jumping over obstacles at speed, while steeplechase adds water jumps and longer distances, testing endurance and agility.
Difference Between Hurdle and Steeplechase
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Hurdle races are track events where athletes must jump over evenly spaced barriers of a set height. These races typically range from 100 to 400 meters, emphasizing speed and jumping technique. On the other hand, the steeplechase is a longer distance event, often 3000 meters, that includes hurdles as well as water jumps, challenging participants with a variety of obstacles and requiring both stamina and dexterity.
While hurdles in a hurdle race are designed to fall over if hit, reducing the risk of injury, steeplechase barriers are solid and fixed, posing a greater challenge and risk. This difference significantly affects how athletes approach and execute their jumps, with steeplechase runners needing to be more precise to avoid falls.
Hurdle races are more about sprinting, with athletes needing to maintain high speed while efficiently clearing obstacles. Steeplechase, however, balances speed with endurance, as the longer distance requires athletes to pace themselves more strategically while still navigating barriers and water jumps.
The training for hurdle races focuses on explosive power and speed, with athletes practicing short bursts of energy to clear each hurdle. In contrast, steeplechase training involves a mix of distance running, technical skill for jumping, and specific preparation for water jumps, demanding a broader range of athletic abilities.
In terms of strategy, hurdlers must perfect their stride between hurdles to minimize time spent in the air. Steeplechasers, meanwhile, need to master a variety of techniques for the different obstacles they face, making their preparation and approach to the race more complex.
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Comparison Chart
Distance
100m-400m
Typically 3000m
Obstacles
Hurdles only
Hurdles and water jumps
Objective
Speed and technique
Endurance and agility
Barrier Characteristic
Easily dislodged
Solid and fixed
Training Focus
Explosive power, speed
Distance, technique, agility
Compare with Definitions
Hurdle
A short race in athletics involving jumping over barriers.
She excels in the 100m hurdles.
Steeplechase
Originating from horse racing, now an athletics event.
Steeplechase once involved jumping over stone walls and ditches.
Hurdle
To overcome a problem or obstacle.
We hurdled the technical issues to finish the project on time.
Steeplechase
A long-distance track event with barriers and water jumps.
He trained for months for the steeplechase.
Hurdle
An obstacle or difficulty to overcome.
Finding funding was the first hurdle in the project.
Steeplechase
An obstacle race in athletics, testing endurance and agility.
The steeplechase is her strongest event.
Hurdle
A framework or boundary.
The garden was surrounded by a wooden hurdle.
Steeplechase
To participate in a steeplechase event.
She plans to steeplechase next season.
Hurdle
A barrier used in a hurdle race.
He cleared all the hurdles with ease during the race.
Steeplechase
A barrier or jump in a steeplechase race.
The final water jump is the toughest part of the steeplechase.
Hurdle
A hurdle (UK English, limited US English) is a moveable section of light fence. In the United States, terms such as "panel", "pipe panel" or simply "fence section" are used to describe moveable sections of fencing intended for agricultural use and crowd control; "hurdle" refers primarily to fences used as jumping obstacles for steeplechasing with horses or human track and field competition.
Steeplechase
A horserace across open country or over an obstacle course.
Hurdle
One of a series of upright frames over which athletes in a race must jump
A hurdle race
Steeplechase
A footrace of usually 3,000 meters over a closed track with four hurdles and a water obstacle.
Hurdle
A problem or difficulty that must be overcome
Many would like to emigrate to the United States, but face formidable hurdles
Steeplechase
A course of action containing many obstacles.
Hurdle
A portable rectangular frame strengthened with withies or wooden bars, used as a temporary fence.
Steeplechase
A horse race, either across open country, or over an obstacle course.
Hurdle
Take part in a hurdle race
This gelding hurdled fluently
She took up hurdling
Steeplechase
(athletics) An athletics event in which the runners have to run 3000 metres round a track, jumping hurdles and a water obstacle along the way
Hurdle
Enclose or fence off with hurdles
A maze of individual hurdled pens
Steeplechase
To take part in a steeplechase event.
Hurdle
A light portable barrier over which competitors must leap in certain races.
Steeplechase
A footrace of usually 3000 meters over a closed track with hurdles and a water jump
Hurdle
Hurdles A race in which a series of such barriers must be jumped without the competitors' breaking their stride.
Steeplechase
A horse race over an obstructed course
Hurdle
A leaping step made off one foot as means of maximizing spring at the end of an approach, as to a dive.
Hurdle
An obstacle or difficulty to be overcome
The last hurdle before graduation.
Hurdle
Chiefly British A portable framework made of intertwined branches or wattle and used for temporary fencing.
Hurdle
Chiefly British A frame or sledge on which condemned persons were dragged to execution.
Hurdle
To leap over (a barrier) in or as if in a race.
Hurdle
To overcome or deal with successfully; surmount
Hurdle a problem.
Hurdle
To leap over a barrier or other obstacle.
Hurdle
An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race.
He ran in the 100 metres hurdles.
Hurdle
(figuratively) An obstacle, real or perceived, physical or abstract.
Hurdle
A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for enclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.
Hurdle
A sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.
Hurdle
To jump over something while running.
He hurdled the bench in his rush to get away.
Hurdle
To compete in the track and field events of hurdles (e.g. high hurdles).
Hurdle
To overcome an obstacle.
Hurdle
To hedge, cover, make, or enclose with hurdles.
Hurdle
(T-flapping) hurtle
Hurdle
A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for inclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.
Hurdle
In England, a sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.
Hurdle
An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which men or horses leap in a race.
Hurdle
To hedge, cover, make, or inclose with hurdles.
Hurdle
A light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in certain races
Hurdle
An obstacle that you are expected to overcome;
The last hurdle before graduation
Hurdle
The act of jumping over an obstacle
Hurdle
Jump a hurdle
Common Curiosities
Are steeplechase barriers fixed?
Yes, unlike hurdle barriers, steeplechase barriers are solid and fixed.
How long is a typical steeplechase?
The most common distance for a steeplechase is 3000 meters.
Can hurdle races be considered sprint events?
Yes, hurdle races are essentially sprint events with obstacles.
What skills are crucial for steeplechase?
Endurance, agility, and the ability to navigate various obstacles including water jumps are crucial.
What is the historical origin of steeplechase?
Steeplechase originated from cross-country horse racing in Ireland, navigating natural obstacles towards a distant church steeple.
Can hurdles in hurdle races fall over?
Yes, hurdles are designed to tip over easily if hit, to minimize injury risk.
What is the main difference between hurdle and steeplechase?
Hurdle races focus on speed and jumping technique over short distances, while steeplechase combines distance running with jumping over hurdles and water jumps.
Why do steeplechase runners need to be precise?
Due to the fixed and solid nature of the barriers, precision in jumping is essential to avoid falls.
What is the significance of stride in hurdle races?
Optimizing stride length and pattern between hurdles is crucial for maintaining speed and efficiency.
Do steeplechase runners need special training for water jumps?
Yes, steeplechase athletes undergo specific training for efficiently handling water jumps.
How do athletes train for hurdle races?
Training focuses on speed, explosive power, and perfecting the stride and jump technique.
How does a steeplechase test an athlete?
It tests an athlete's speed, endurance, jumping ability, and adaptability to different obstacles.
Is technique as important in steeplechase as in hurdle races?
Technique is important in both, but steeplechase also demands endurance and strategic pacing.
What strategies do steeplechasers use to handle water jumps?
They often aim to land one foot at the edge of the water to propel themselves forward and minimize time lost.
What makes steeplechase more challenging than hurdle races?
The combination of distance, solid barriers, and water jumps adds layers of complexity and challenge.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
