Steeplechase

📋 Race Details

• 1500m (5 PM)

• 400m (5:30 PM)

• 2000m Steeplechase (6 PM)

• • Barriers: 30 inches high

  • Total Water Jumps: 5

  • Total Hurdle Jumps (no water): 18

  • Total Jumps: 23

• AlphaPeak AI Form Analysis (7:30-8:30 PM)

  • Free for all registered athletes

This steeplechase setup aligns with youth steeplechase standards for a challenging yet accessible race for developing athletes.

🏟️ Venue Information

The Clarence F. Robison Track & Field Complex is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and picturesque setting against the Wasatch Mountains. It's the home of BYU's track and field teams and has hosted numerous prestigious events like the BYU High School Invitational and Robison Invitational.

Parking: Available at the West Lot, west of LaVell Edwards Stadium.

📝 Registration

The cost of registration is $10 (includes all events) and is payable at bib pick starting at 4 PM. Proceeds from the meet go to the BYU Track & Field program to support the steeplechase program.

• Check-In: Begins at 4 PM at the track.

• Registration: Complete the Online Form or register an individual or team on Athletic.net.

• Registration Deadline: May 28 (Wednesday), 12 PM. Limited race-day registration will be available.

BYU is Steeplechase "U"

Brigham Young University (BYU) has earned the nickname "Steeplechase U" due to its remarkable history in the 3000-meter steeplechase, producing numerous NCAA champions and Olympians.

• Kenneth Rooks Steeplechase Intro

On the men's side, Henry Marsh set the standard in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming a four-time Olympian and former American record holder.  More recently, Kenneth Rooks continued this legacy by winning the NCAA title in 2023 and securing a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a personal best of 8:06.41.  His teammate, James Corrigan, also made headlines by finishing third at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, earning a spot on Team USA.

• 2024 Olympics Men Final

• 2024 USA Men Olympic Trials

In women's steeplechase, BYU's dominance began when the NCAA introduced the event in 2001. Elizabeth Jackson won the inaugural championship, followed by Michaela Mannová in 2002 and Kassi Andersen in 2003. Andersen's 2003 victory was particularly notable, as she set a meet record with a time of 9:44.95, which was the third-fastest in U.S. history at the time. Courtney Wayment further elevated BYU's reputation by winning the 2022 NCAA steeplechase title with a collegiate record of 9:16.00. She went on to represent the U.S. at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 12th in the final.

• Courtney Wayment Breaks NCAA Record

BYU's sustained excellence in the steeplechase is a testament to its strong coaching and athlete development programs, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in this demanding event.

USATF Steeplechase Competition Rules

See 2022 USATF Competition Rule Manual

The standard distance shall be 3000 meters. Races of 1500 and 2000 meters may also be contested. The 3000 Meter Steeplechase shall have 28 hurdle jumps and 7 water jumps. The 2000 Meter Steeplechase shall have 18 hurdle jumps and 5 water jumps. The 1500 Meter Steeplechase shall have 13 hurdles and 3 water jumps. There shall be five jumps per lap after the finish line has been passed for the first time. The water jump shall be the fourth if that is feasible. The jumps should be evenly distributed, i.e., the distance between the jumps shall be approximately one-fifth of the nominal length of the lap. Because of differences in track design and water jump placement, all steeplechase courses must be individually measured. Generally, only the start line will need to be adjusted. A diagram showing a typical configuration of the barriers on a 400m track with an interior water jump is shown in Figure 2.

NOTE 1: Adjustment to the hurdle spacing may be necessary to ensure that safe distances from a hurdle / start line and to the next hurdle are maintained before and after the finish line respectively as indicated in the World Athletics Track and Field Facilities Manual.

NOTE 2: In the 3000 Meter Steeplechase, the distance from the start to the beginning of the first full lap shall not include any jumps.

NOTE 3: In the 2000m event, the first barrier is the one immediately prior to the water-jump. However, if the water-jump is on the inside of the track, the finish line has to be passed twice before the first lap with five jumps.

The men's hurdles shall be 91.4cm (±3mm) high (3 ft.). The women's hurdles shall be 76.2cm (±3mm) high (2 ft. 6 in.). The hurdles shall be at least 3.96m wide and shall be placed on the track so that 30cm of the top bar, measured from the inside edge of the track, will be inside the field. The section of the top bar of the hurdles and the hurdle at the water jump shall be 12.7cm (5 in.) square. The weight of each hurdle shall be between 80 and 100kg, and each hurdle shall have on either side a base between 1.2 and 1.4m. All hurdles are to be painted with white and black stripes, or in other strong distinctive contrasting colors, also in contrast with the surrounding environment, in such a manner that the lighter stripes, which will be at least 22.5cm wide, are on the outside. It is recommended that the first hurdle taken in the race should be at least 5m wide.

Each competitor shall go over or through the water and shall go over each hurdle. An athlete shall be disqualified if he/she:

(a) Steps to one side or the other of any hurdle or water jump; or

(b) Has a leg or foot, at the instant of clearance, beside the hurdle (on either side) below the horizontal plane of the top of any hurdle.

Provided this Rule is observed, an athlete may go over each hurdle in any manner.

Water Jump Construction:

(a) The water jump, including the hurdle, shall be 3.66m (± 2cm) in length and 3.66m (± 2cm) in width. At the start of a race, the surface of the water shall be level with the surface of the track, within a margin of 2cm. The depth of the water closest to the hurdle shall be 50cm (± 5cm) for approximately 1.20m. From there, the bottom shall have a uniform slope of 12.4° (± 1°) upwards to the level of the track at the farther end of the water pit. NOTE: Construction complying with 2019 specifications (70cm for approximately 30cm) remains valid.

(b) The sloped portion of the bottom of the water pit shall be covered with a synthetic surface, or matting, of sufficient thickness to afford a safe landing, and allow for the spikes to grip satisfactorily.

(c) The hurdle at the water jump shall be 3.66m (± 2cm) wide, and shall be firmly fixed to the ground, so that no horizontal movement is possible. The top bar shall be 12.7cm x 12.7cm (5 in. x 5 in.) in thickness and the same height as the others.