It’s not uncommon to hear someone described as “running like the
wind.” But what is it like to run like a horse? Try competing in
the steeplechase some time, and you will see. What is
steeplechase? Take a walk by the track. Undoubtedly, you will
find some very large and seemingly purposeless things that
appear to be the makings of a fence. These large objects are
called barriers, and provide the largest of challenges found in
a track race. Consisting of two legs perpendicular to the
ground, which rest on feet parallel to and in contact with the
track and topped with a crossbar, these barriers span the width
of approximately four lanes on the synthetic rubber oval. Put
five of these barriers at equal intervals on the track. Behind
one barrier, place a water pit two-and-a-half feet in depth.
Finally, run 3000m over this course, and you have the
steeplechase. Steeplechase is said to be a race initially
devised in the 18th century as a way to vary horse racing.
Thoroughbreds can still be found jumping fences, cle