Athletics- Road running and Cross Country Running
Athletics is derived from a Greek word “athlos” meaning “contest”. Athletics is very important for the physical and mental well being of any human. It helps in boosting the human stamina and encourages the people to survive in such a competitive environment. Athletics include running, throwing and jumping etc .Athletics are very helpful in earning a peace of mind. Athletics helps the participants in feeling a sense of freedom and contentment by participating and showing their talent in their desired athletes. Road running and cross country running are very famous all around the world. Athletes are always willing to participate in such events .These events help athletes not only in winning the prizes but the winners take along with them a lot of self pride, confidence and fame.
Road running
Road running is an event which surely helps in judging the calibre of an athlete. They are conducted mostly on paved roads and the events mostly end on the track of the main stadium. The marathon race is one of the most famous races. Road running imposes more pressure on feet because the roads are not as swift and soft as grass. The races may be of 5km, 10 km, 15 km or 20 km. the road running event makes the people very enthusiastic about the athletics.
Special trainers are involved in the training of the athletes .These trainers have specialized techniques and methods of improvement in the athletes performance in the race. However, this event is unique because some amateurs may also participate in the race without any special training besides the participants of road running club.
Road running include marathon and ultra running too. The difference between marathon and ultra running is that ultra running is a running that covers more distance than the marathon.
If any race is farther than ultra running, it is called multiday and stage races. In these types of events, the racers are told to finish a certain distance within a time limit given. The athlete who completes the track of a certain distance within the given time span is declared as a winner.
The international body for road races is IAAF. Most road races are members of the (AIMS) which is affiliated with IAAF. Participants from all over the world like these races because of the cash prizes for winners.
Road runner’s body should be able to run even where there is not enough oxygen because such a body is more desirable for unsmooth paths.
Cross Country Running
Cross country running is a very famous event. It is of significant importance. This event boosts the confidence of the world wide athletics participants. These races are more natural than the road races because they are conducted in open air and the tracks mostly consist of grass. The most famous competition is the IAAF World Cross Country Championship. The Cross Country races are started in masses.
Cross country races have different distance in its constitution on the basis of gender and age groups.
Cross country running is very successful because the participants are not only judged on individual basis but also on team basis. The scores of the teams are compiled to check which team did well and from how many points they’re in the lead from other teams. The season in which this race is held includes winter and autumn. These two seasons are very pleasant and have a positive effect on the participants also because in the summer, it’s very difficult to conduct an open air race event. The scorching heat of the sun would not be bearable for most of the people and it may result in fainting of the participants. These reasons are strong arguments in the favour of popularity and success of this event.
Cross country running events are no more held in Olympics. Now mountain running, which is very challenging, is introduced.
Tags: