Hurdle Specifications Reference
Every hurdle race is defined by four numbers besides its name: the hurdle height, the distance to the first hurdle, the spacing between hurdles, and the run-in after the last hurdle to the finish. World Athletics sets these for U18, U20 and senior athletes, and World Masters Athletics extends the table through the masters age groups — shortening the race and lowering the hurdles as competitors get older.
U18/U20/senior and indoor specifications are set by World Athletics Technical Rules; masters specifications (M35 and above) are set by World Masters Athletics — always confirm against the current rulebook before a sanctioned competition.
Senior · Men · outdoor
Hover a hurdle to see its position
110m Hurdles WA
400m Hurdles WA
All categories
Men · outdoor · click a row to show it
| Category | Short race | Height | Long race | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110 m | 0.914 | 400 m | 0.838 | |
| 110 m | 0.991 | 400 m | 0.914 | |
| 110 m | 1.067 | 400 m | 0.914 | |
| 110 m | 0.991 | 400 m | 0.914 | |
| 110 m | 0.991 | 400 m | 0.914 | |
| 110 m | 0.991 | 400 m | 0.914 | |
| 100 m | 0.914 | 400 m | 0.840 | |
| 100 m | 0.914 | 400 m | 0.840 | |
| 100 m | 0.840 | 300 m | 0.762 | |
| 100 m | 0.840 | 300 m | 0.762 | |
| 80 m | 0.762 | 300 m | 0.686 | |
| 80 m | 0.762 | 300 m | 0.686 | |
| 80 m | 0.686 | 200 m | 0.686 | |
| 80 m | 0.686 | 200 m | 0.686 | |
| 80 m | 0.686 | 200 m | 0.686 |
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How to read the hurdle specifications table
Pick a gender and age group
Choose men or women and an age group (U18 through M90+) from the dropdown; the tool shows the sprint hurdle and the long hurdle race contested by that category.
Switch outdoor or indoor
Outdoor shows the sprint and long hurdle events for the chosen category; indoor shows the 60m hurdles, the only indoor hurdle event, available for senior athletes.
Read the track diagram
Each card shows the hurdle height in metres and inches, the distance to the first hurdle, the spacing between hurdles, the run-in to the finish, and a diagram marking every hurdle's position along the race.
Why hurdle races change shape by age and gender
A hurdle race is not just a flat race with barriers added — the distance to the first hurdle, the spacing between hurdles and the run-in to the finish are all part of the official specification, set by World Athletics Technical Rules for U18, U20 and senior athletes and extended into masters competition by World Masters Athletics. As athletes get younger or older, the hurdles get lower and, past a certain age, the race itself gets shorter: the 400m hurdles becomes a 300m hurdles from M60/W50, and a 200m hurdles from M80/W70, always using the same spacing as the last hurdles of the full-distance race.
A hurdle race is described by five values: hurdle height, distance to the first hurdle, spacing between hurdles, distance from the last hurdle to the finish, and the number of hurdles. World Athletics sets them for U18, U20 and senior athletes, and World Masters Athletics for the masters categories. As the category gets older, the hurdles get lower and, past a certain age, the race gets shorter.
Heights are given in metres, with the historical inch measurement in parentheses, since hurdle equipment is still commonly described by inch (e.g. 42" = 1.067 m for the senior men's 110mH). The indoor 60m hurdles only exists for senior athletes — there is no indoor equivalent for junior or masters hurdling.
Hurdle specifications — FAQ
World Athletics and World Masters Athletics lower the hurdle height for younger (U18, U20) and older (masters, from M35) age groups to keep the event technically appropriate and reduce injury risk as athletes develop or age, while senior athletes clear the highest, standard hurdle.
Senior men clear a 1.067 m (42") hurdle over the 110m hurdles; senior women clear a 0.838 m (33") hurdle over the 100m hurdles. Both races use 10 hurdles.
The 400m hurdles becomes a 300m hurdles (7 hurdles, same spacing as the last 7 hurdles of the 400m) from M60/W50, and a 200m hurdles (5 hurdles, same spacing as the last 5 hurdles) from M80/W70 — the hurdle height keeps stepping down at the same time.
No — the only indoor hurdle event is the 60m hurdles, contested by senior athletes at the same height as the outdoor sprint hurdles. There is no indoor equivalent for the long hurdles or for junior/masters age groups.
U18, U20, senior and indoor specifications come from World Athletics Technical Rules (TR22.1); masters specifications (M35 and above) come from the World Masters Athletics Rules of Competition 2026 (Appendix A, specifications effective 1 January 2026). Always check the current rulebook before a sanctioned competition, as rules are periodically revised.