Athletics / Guide 09
Hurdles
World Athletics · 2026In short
Distances and clearance · When contact becomes a fault
Distances and clearance
Standard hurdle events include 100 m for women, 110 m for men, and 300 m and 400 m for both categories. The 100 m, 110 m and 400 m races have 10 hurdles per lane; 300 m has 7. Heights and spacing depend on the event and age category. Every hurdle must be cleared.
When contact becomes a fault
Knocking down a hurdle does not by itself cause disqualification. Passing a foot or leg beside a hurdle below its top is prohibited. Knocking it down with the hand, body or front of the lead lower limb, or displacing a hurdle so that another athlete is significantly affected, can cause disqualification under the specified rules.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Independent explanations of the supplied World Athletics Competition and Technical Rules, including amendments through 1 July 2026. Event-specific regulations may add conditions. References use PDF viewer page numbers; guide numbers are editorial.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗