What Is Steeplechase?

The steeplechase is a kind of race. It is called as an obstacle race in athletics. It derives it name from the word steeplechase in the horse racing length of the race. It is usually a 3000m race. It has seven and a half laps of 400m each. In the first half lap, there are no barriers encountered by the runners. In the other subsequent barriers, there are five barriers in each lap. The barrier height is usually 36 inches for men and 30 inches for women. These steeplechases usually do not fall if they are hit. There are four barriers initially and the fifth barrier is usually accompanied by a pit of water which is 12 feet long and slopes from 700 m deep in upward direction. This helps in taking longer jumps.