The History of Running Track

Track and field is one of the most popular events of the Olympics. Every year, old records are broken and new narratives emerge in this exciting and ever changing sport. What is the history of running track? It is a long story dating back to the athletic competitions of ancient Greece.

An Ancient Sport

Running goes back to ancient Greece, where foot racing was the one and only event in the original Olympics. In addition to the Olympic Games, the Pan-Hellenic Games allowed runners to compete at regular intervals. The Roman Games of the same era included running, but focused more on wrestling and combat. As far away as Ireland, ancient Europeans competed in foot races in the Tailteann Games. The ability to run was considered a necessary talent in ancient times, especially for warriors.

The Middle Ages

Track continued to be a competitive sport throughout the Middle Ages. In Europe, noble families trained their sons in a variety of athletic skills to enhance their combat abilities. Running was just one of many sports that were featured in competitions of this era. However, the use of horse mounted troops instead of foot soldiers in war took the emphasis off personal speed, instead focusing interest on horsemanship and weapon skills.

The Olympics Revived

In the late eighteenth century, the long and illustrious history of running track and other field sports was recognized, along with the need to revive the traditional Greek games in some form. France's L'Olympiade de la Republique featured a number of ancient sports, with foot running featured prominently among the competition. The metric system was first used at these games to measure and record times, another milestone in the history of running.

Running became more popular throughout the nineteenth century as physical fitness was gradually recognized as the key to health and strength. Schools began including exercise and competitive sports among their classes, creating generation of young athletes capable of competing in track and field.

The Modern Sport

Running was one of the original sports in the 1896 Olympic Games. Although women were excluded until 1928, they quickly took a prominent position in the sport. The sport evolved to its current self, with most activities taking place on a 400 meter oval track. A person who runs track in modern times can choose from any number of events, including sprints, hurdles, middle and long distance races, and relays. Each event has a unique set of ideal characteristics, making running track one of the most diverse and inclusive sports on the planet.

Although the history of running track is long and includes contributions from a variety of cultures, it is by no means complete. As new athletes emerge with every generation and new technologies improve the sport, the history is being written every time runners step onto the field.