Martial arts in athletic, 800 meters race

The 800 meter race is a middle distance event, quite different from the short distance format.

Short distance races are over within 45 second.  Runners sprint from the start and the audience is spell bond as they watch the event and hold their breath.   

The 800 meter is another game.  In this event, there are two, 400 meter laps to be run. Participants must have a different running strategy. That’s the charm of a middle distance race.  

Thus the event combines both sprinting and endurance. Hence, most of the 800m athletes are well-built and bigger in size. It truly is a spectacular moment to see huge endurance-built athletes sprinting at the end of the race.  

Unlike short distance races, the 400 meter event has runners starting in a standing position.  Furthermore, they must remain in their lanes for the first 115 meters of the race to reduce the amount of physical jostling between runners.

Runners jostle and struggle for position among each other.  For this reason the 800 meter race is considered the “martial arts” of the track and field world.

When overtaking another runner, the passer should move outside the track. He or she will be disqualified for intentional interfering with another runner’s course.

The breath taking men’s 800 meter will be held on August 30th at 8:00PM, while the women’s event will be on September 4th at 8:15PM.  Both events will take place in Daegu Stadium.