Competition Hurdle

Competition Hurdles Buying Guide: Shop Hurdles with World Athletics Certificate

You’ll find competition hurdles with World Athletics certification right here. But what exactly does the World Athletics certificate mean – and when do you need it? In this guide, we answer all key questions about competition hurdles.

• What is the World Athletics certificate?
• Hurdle events at a glance
• Table: “Hurdle events”
• 5 buying criteria for competition hurdles

 

What is the World Athletics certificate?

World Athletics is the international governing body for athletics and the umbrella organisation for all national federations. It defines the rules and specifications for national and international hurdle races. Competition hurdles must comply with these requirements in terms of height, counterweight and material, and must be of outstanding quality. If a hurdle carries this certificate, it is an official seal of approval. It guarantees that the hurdle meets the strict global specifications down to the last millimetre and gram. Tested are exact heights, widths, the materials used and, above all, the complex tipping resistances.

Good to know: Without this certificate, you cannot host national or international championships. With WA-certified hurdles, you’re always ready for official events.

Distance, height, spacing: hurdle events

World Athletics also specifies the race distances, hurdle heights and spacings for the different hurdle events. Each of these events includes 10 hurdles. In children’s and youth events there are 7 or 8 hurdles, the distances are shorter and the hurdles lower. Indoors, hurdle races cover 60 m with 5 hurdles. You’ll find all World Athletics specifications in the table below.


Table: “Hurdle events”

 

5 buying criteria for competition hurdles

Choosing World Athletics-certified competition hurdles means choosing safety and fairness. With certified competition hurdles, you equip your facility with professional gear your athletes can rely on 100%.

1. Official certification: To host official championships and competitions, a World Athletics certificate (formerly IAAF) is mandatory.
2. Safety and precise tipping resistance: A hurdle must fall when touched, but must not tip too easily or too heavily. The rules specify an exact tipping moment (usually a force of 3.6–4 kg must act on the top edge). Competition hurdles feature integrated, adjustable counterweights in the feet that can be set to the respective hurdle height. All edges must also be rounded.
3. Adjustable height: Competition hurdles must be adjustable to the official heights for different age and performance categories (e.g. 68.6 cm, 76.2 cm, 83.8 cm, 91.4 cm, 99.1 cm, 106.7 cm). The mechanism is often a push-button or notched system. It must work smoothly and must not jam.
4. Material and durability: Ideally, the frame is made from anodised aluminium or galvanised steel tubing. The hurdle board itself is made from high-quality, splinter-free plastic or very robust wood. Full weather resistance and robustness ensure a long service life.
5. Handling and smart storage: Hurdles take up a lot of space in the equipment room. Good models are designed so they can be nested (stacked) to save space or even folded.

 

You can find the right World Athletics-certified competition hurdles for your club, plus additional competition equipment such as starting blocks, here in the Sport-Thieme online shop.