Q 01/05

How many hurdles are there in a standard 110 m, 100 m or 400 m hurdles race?

A) Eight

B) Twelve

C) Ten

D) Fifteen

Answer · why

C) Ten

Indoor 60 m races use five, and the youth 300 m hurdles uses eight.

Q 02/05

What is the standard sprint hurdles distance for men?

A) 100 metres

B) 110 metres

C) 120 metres

D) 200 metres

Answer · why

B) 110 metres

Women run 100 metres; the men's distance dates from the 120-yard race standardised at Oxford and Cambridge in 1864.

Q 03/05

What happens to a hurdler who accidentally knocks over a hurdle?

A) They are automatically disqualified

B) Nothing, though the weighted barrier slows them

C) They receive a one-second penalty

D) They must re-run the heat later

Answer · why

B) Nothing, though the weighted barrier slows them

Deliberately knocking one over or passing underneath still means disqualification.

Q 04/05

Until 1935, how many hurdles could a runner knock down before being disqualified?

A) None

B) One

C) Three

D) Five

Answer · why

C) Three

Records were only recognised if every hurdle was left standing, which is why the L-shaped hurdle changed the sport.

Q 05/05

What design innovation of 1935 made hurdles safer?

A) A padded rubber top bar on each hurdle

B) A hinged spring-loaded hurdle

C) A hurdle with a breakaway crossbar

D) An L-shaped hurdle that tips forward when hit

Answer · why

D) An L-shaped hurdle that tips forward when hit

The old T-shaped hurdles of 1895 replaced massive fixed barriers; some 1923 wooden hurdles weighed 16 pounds each.