Aitajuoksut

Aitajuoksut is a Finnish term for hurdle races, a group of track and field events in which athletes run a sprint while clearing a series of barriers, or hurdles, placed at set intervals along the track. The events require speed, rhythm, and efficient technique to clear each hurdle without losing momentum.

Outdoor hurdle events typically include the men’s 110-meter hurdles and the women’s 100-meter hurdles, which emphasize pure sprinting speed and precise hurdle clearance. In addition, the 400-meter hurdles is contested by both men and women and combines sprinting with sustained endurance over a longer distance. Indoor competition features the shorter 60-meter hurdles, and some meets may include other nonstandard or age-group hurdle formats.

Hurdles are fixed barriers that must be cleared with a controlled technique. Athletes may strike or knock down hurdles; this does not automatically disqualify a competitor, but runners must stay within their lanes and adhere to other standard race rules. The emphasis is on maintaining speed while minimizing disruption to rhythm and stride pattern between successive barriers.

Historically, aitajuoksut developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as formalized track and field events. They are now standard features of major competitions governed by World Athletics (formerly the IAAF), including the Olympic Games and World Championships, as well as national leagues and regional championships. Training focuses on sprint speed, hurdle technique, and the ability to maintain tempo through multiple barriers.