Athletics

HURDLE RACING. 6i The great secret of success in SPRINT HURDLING is to be able to do what is commonly called "the three-stride trick," i.e. to take three strides only between each hurdle. I will endeavour to explain this more fully, together with the manner of striding the hurdle. The scratch mark is fifteen yards behindthe first hurdle. In starting,stand inan easy position, not getting too low down (as in sprinting); be well away with the starting shot; go off at full speed, and get over the first hurdle as soonas possible. A great many men make a mistake at this point by taking it too easily for the initial run on the flat, and therefore losing ground, which it is difficult to make up again. Now, as to the modus operandi of the " three-stride trick." When atrising distance (this will be best determined by your practice; afterwards itwill come naturally) for the first hurdle, double your left leg (those runners who reverse the process and spring from the left foot must reverse the instructions) under your body, springing from the right foot f rward and upward over the hurdle (see page 62), sharply drawing the leg you spring from after you, and alighting onthe toes of the left foot. You then stride out with your right leg, making ONE; then with your left, making TWO ; then with your right again, making THREE strides. This shouldbring you close to the secondhurdle, where, doubling upyour left leg, you repeat the process described at the first flight, and so on, with one, two, three, to the end. Another most important point, thechief distinguishing feature between jumping and striding. Try toskim the hurdles rather than to rise high over them; you waste force and distance by the latter, spoiling your stride, and making it difficult to reach the next hurdle with the " one, two, three." As soonas you drop over the last hurdle, finishthe fifteen yards runin at your very best pace, whether leading by a foot or five yards.