hurdle

A hurdle is an obstacle designed to be jumped over. The term is used for portable barriers in sports as well as for other obstacles encountered in competition or training. Modern hurdles are lightweight and often designed to topple or break away when struck to reduce the risk of injury. In everyday language, hurdle can also refer to any barrier or challenge that must be overcome.

In track and field, hurdle races test speed, rhythm, and agility. The principal sprint events are the 110-meter hurdles for men and the 100-meter hurdles for women, each featuring ten barriers at fixed intervals. The 400-meter hurdles is a longer event that combines sprinting with hurdling endurance and uses a different hurdle height. Standards for heights and spacing vary by governing body and age category.

Technique is crucial in hurdling. Athletes strive to clear each barrier with minimal disruption to pace, using a controlled takeoff, a lead leg that extends through the hurdle, and a quick, compact trail leg to complete the clearance. Efficient hurdle clearance and rapid reestablishment of sprinting form between barriers are essential. Common errors include hitting hurdles, which slows progress and can disrupt balance.

Beyond sport, hurdle is used metaphorically to describe barriers to progress, such as administrative or regulatory hurdles. The concept appears across policy, business, and project planning, where overcoming hurdles is a common objective.