shuttle hurdle relay

The SHR is currently referred to as the 4 x 60 hurdles, 4 x 80 hurdles, 4 x 100 hurdles, and 4 x 110 hurdles. In the past the term shuttle hurdle relay was more commonly used.

This events allow four hurdlers to run on the same relay team and has been held both outdoor and indoor. In a shuttle hurdle relay, each of four hurdlers on a team runs the opposite direction from the preceding runner.

The shuttle hurdle relay typically consists of: (a) four hurdlers per relay team – each runs one leg, (b) same sex, (c) each hurdler runs the same hurdle spacing and hurdle heights, (d) two lanes – one up, and one back (e) the first leg starts at the automatic timing line, hence this allows the anchor leg to finish at the "finish line", (f) hurdlers must stay in their own lane, (g) hurdlers are not allowed to touch the hurdles with their hands, (h) depending on the age-group there may be an "exchange zone" (Masters Track and Field does not use an exchange zone), (i) No batons are used for this particular relay, and (j) For Masters Track and Field the youngest person on the relay team dictates the age-bracket (for that particular relay team).

USATF Competition Rules list description for the Open and Masters shuttle hurdle relay competition.USATF. [https://www.usatf.org/governance/rule-books//] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020

In the past, a rarely run 4 x 440 yard shuttle hurdle relay was included at some competitions. A height of 36" tall hurdles was used.

On {{Date|April 29, 1972}}, Olivett College (John McGlashen, Charles VanderRoest, Bruce Ritter, and Ron Hobday) beat Cedarville in 3:58.4 for the mile intermediate hurdle at the Tri-State Relays, held at Defiance College.Battle Creek Enquirer, Michigan, April 30, 1972. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/205333148/?terms=Tri-State%20Relay&match=1//] Retrieved Dec 17, 2020Xenia Daily Gazette, Ohio May 1, 1972. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/7639531/?terms=hurdle%20Cedarville%20College&match=1//] Retrieved Dec 17, 2020 In April 1973, Edinboro State at the Akron Invitational Relays in Akron, Ohio broke the world best for this event.San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, April 7, 1974. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/61234703/?terms=mile%2Bintermediate%2Bhurdle%2Brelay//] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020 On {{Date|April 6, 1974}}, Occidental College broke the 1973 record in the 4 x 440 yard shuttle hurdle relay in a meet against Whittier College and Pomona-Pitzer.Times Standard, Eureka, California, April 7, 1974. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/47115387/?terms=Occidental%2BRelay%2BRecord//] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020 On {{Date|April 17, 1974}}, Stanford broke Occidental College's record while defeating Skyline College.The Times, San Mateo, California, April 18, 1974 [https://www.newspapers.com/image/39048377/?terms=mile%2Bintermediate%2Bhurdle%2Brelay//] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020 March 15, 1975 Occidental College took the record back.Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/620570492/?terms=mile%2Bintermediate%2Bhurdle%2Brelay//] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020 On {{Date|April 24, 1976}}, Mt Sac College broke the record at the Mt. SAC Relays,Pomona Progress, April 25, 1976. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/77456602/?terms=mile%2Bintermediate%2Bhurdle%2Brelay//] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020 and on {{Date|April 23, 1977}}, Pasadena broke the record at the Mt. SAC Relays.Progress Bulletin, Pomona, California. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/70251032/?terms=mile%2Bintermediate%2Bhurdle%2Brelay//] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020 By 1984, Long Beach City College (Jose Davis, Tyrone McCullough, Nelson Rodríguez, and Oswaldo Zea) held the community college 1600 meter intermediate hurdle relay in 3:31.06.Los Angeles Times, February 24, 1991 [https://www.newspapers.com/image/176840186/?terms=mile%2Bintermediate%2Bhurdle%2Brelay//] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020

The first recorded instance of a shuttle hurdle relay was probably in January 1901, when a "Hurdle relay race" was included at a meet in Portland, Oregon. No hurdle details were provided.The Sunday Oregonian, Jan 13, 1901.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/1084806398/?match=1&terms=%22Hurdle%20Relay%22] Retrieved Nov 6, 2024 In December 1906, a "hurdle relay race proved a highly exciting contest" at a meet in Vancouver, Canada. No hurdle details were provided. The Province, Dec 13, 1906.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/497951921/?match=1&terms=%22Hurdle%20Relay%22] Retrieved Nov 6, 2024 In January 1907 and November 1907, the YMCA in Kansas held an indoor "hurdle relay."Topeka State Journal, Jan 3, 1907.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/323083265/?terms=%22hurdle%20relay%22&match=1//] Retrieved Feb 1, 2024Topeka State Journal, Nov 7, 1907.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/323193468/?terms=%22hurdle%20relay%22&match=1//] Retrieved Feb 1, 2024

In 1910–1911, the Official Handbook of the Girls' Branch of the Public Schools Athletic League states for the girls hurdle relay "the maximum distance for each runner not to exceed fifty yards; the maximum height for hurdles to be two feet".Spalding's Athletic Library, Girl Athletics 1910–1911. [https://books.googleusercontent.com/books/content?req=AKW5Qae03LmX7ORDYfBMxCNIosOWRGChdmKCV9lCxeuBMabhg5ZK5AwY0FN-8o_6FNyG_-4_C7qazkWoLBWQXi8G9uDsiQbA-09XLdc15GULbJ0D7SJU9tjOcfcwn05y-jVyMBwcCY9W_kzLRY359xJW9Uxuni6QzbbARI7IlDU7tk66AH5D7bTNTInQ5gHCuMzBFlg5uZmhq45o4razMe1A_JdqoWEozWvwnOWMFOmhhfkZqMHWwO2WPlyfgRyRJcrdg6F6TaECU_MTSAlPmqGa_-ngkAd8x0-N5PFFw_O_cvGtvgybfqg//] Retrieved Nov. 22, 2020 On {{Date|11 June 1910}}, a girls hurdle relay was held at the Armory in Rochester, New York.Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, June 12, 1910. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/136436326/?terms=hurdle%20relay&match=1//] Retrieved Nov. 22, 2020 A November 1912 announcement for girls in New York announced that youth activities would include a "hurdle relay."The Berlin New Record, Nov 2, 1912.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/990508964/?terms=%22hurdle%20relay%22&match=1//] Retrieved Feb 1, 2024 In 1912, the American Physical Review magazine reports a boys SHR at a Dual Athletic Meet between Cambridge High and Latin School vs Rindge Technical School.American Physical Review magazine, 1912, pg 653.[https://books.google.com/books?id=941IAAAAYAAJ&dq=Masters+Shuttle+Hurdle+Relay&pg=PA653] Retrieved Aug 6, 2023 In 1916, an indoor meet in Hawaii held a "300-yard hurdle relay race", which was won by the N.A.C. Club for the youth clubs, and Kalihi for the junior clubs.Honolulu Star-Bulletin, May 6, 1916.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/876840243/?terms=%22hurdle%20relay%22&match=1//] Retrieved Feb 1, 2024

In May 1917, at the first annual girls' interscholastic meet on Tech Field in Pennsylvania, a "Hurdle relay" was competed, with Allegheny first, Peabody second, and Latimer third. No hurdle details were provided.{{cite news |newspaper=The Gazette Times |location=Pittsburgh |date=May 27, 1917 |title=Latimer High Girls Land Victory in School Meet; Event a Grand Success |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/85830036/?match=1&terms=%22Shuttle%20Hurdle%22 |access-date=Nov 6, 2024 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1926, the SHR was added to the Penn Relays events at the suggestion of David Burghley, the British champion of the 400 meter hurdles at the 1928 Olympic Games.Sports Illustrated [https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/04/30/carnival-time-there-are-no-calliopes-and-the-tents-that-gave-the-penn-relay-carnival-its-full-name-are-gone-but-multitudes-still-will-be-flocking-to-philly-this-week] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020

In April 1938, Oklahoma State set a (then) Kansas Relays meet record in 1:01.6.Detroit Free Press, Apr 24, 1938. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/97522642//] Retrieved Aug 25, 2021 In March 1953, in California, the SHR was included at the Orange Show Relay and the four-way spike meet (four colleges).San Bernardino County Sun, Mar 26, 1953.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/49425509/?terms=College%20Shuttle%20Hurdle&match=1//] Retrieved Nov 23, 2022Pomona Progress Bulletin, Mar 23, 1953.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/623562181/?terms=Orange%20Show%20Relay&match=1//] Retrieved Nov 23, 2022

In 1973, a West German team placed 3rd at the Mt Sac Relays in 59.1.San Francisco Examiner, Apr 29, 1973. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/460227569/?terms=Long%20Beach%20Relay%20Shuttle%20Hurdle&match=1//] Retrieved Jun 1, 2022

Masters Track and Field have included the SHR as a standard event at the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships.Archive: masterstrack.com. [http://masterstrack.com/shuttle-hurdles-become-an-official-event-at-masters-nationals//] Retrieved Oct. 26, 2020 The competition is eligible for Masters American Records and medals. The oldest athlete that has competed in a SHR is George Roudebush (age 93) when he competed in a 2018 M80 plus SHR race.Track & Field Records. [http://masterstrackandfield.org///] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020

The oldest female athletes that have competed in a SHR are Tami Graf (age 85) at the 2021 and Flo Meiler (age 88) at the 2022 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships.Finish Timing Meet Results, July 2021. [https://www.finishtimingresults.com/2021/07-22/results.pdf] Retrieved Sept 16, 2021USATF Championship, 2022. [https://www.finishtimingresults.com/2022/USATF-Outdoors/2022-masters-outdoor.pdf] Retrieved Nov 23, 2022

The SMR was also included at former relays such as the California Relays, Compton Relays, West Coast Relays,LA84. Track and Field Meet Results c1964.

[https://la84foundation.on.worldcat.org/search?databaseList=&queryString=Track+and+field+meet+results#/oclc/38451670//] Retrieved Oct. 26, 2020 the 1996 Alabama Relays,Track Newsletter March 27, 1996 [https://trackandfieldnews.com/etrack///] Retrieved Nov 29, 2020 and the Golden Valley Conference Relays Oak Leaf newspaper, Mar 18, 1965. [https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=OL19650318.2.26&srpos=6&e=------196-en--20--1--txt-txIN-mile+hurdle+relay-------1//] Retrieved Dec 27, 2020 Additional relays include the 1993 European Relays in Portsmouth, England,Track Newsletter June 17, 1993. [https://trackandfieldnews.com/etrack///] Retrieved November 4, 2020 and July 5, 1981, TAC Relay Championship in Greenvale, New York.Track Newsletter, July 16, 1981. [https://trackandfieldnews.com/etrack///] Retrieved Dec 31, 2020

Including a SHR outside of the US and the United Kingdom has been infrequent. In August 2007, the BAUHAUS-galan (formerly GN Galan) meet in Stockholm, Sweden included the 480 Yard Shuttle Hurdle Relay. The United States won with a time of 53.36 seconds, Sweden in second with a time of 57.03, Finland in third with a time of 57.26. The event was well received.Woodhurdles website. [http://www.woodhurdles.com/ShuttleHurdleRelay/1.htm//] Retrieved Dec 30, 2020

The 1990 Penn Relay included a 880 shuttle hurdle relay.Boston Globe, Apr 29, 1990.[https://www.newspapers.com/image/439474659/?terms=Alabama%20Relay%20Shuttle%20Hurdle&match=1//] Retrieved Nov 23, 2022

In 1920-1928, after the 1920, 1924, and 1928 Summer Olympics, the majority of the American track and field team crossed the British Channel to compete in a highly-publicized meet known as "The British Empire versus the U.S.A.", held at Stamford Bridge, London. This meet included the shuttle hurdle relay. In 1924 and 1928, the US won in 61.6 and 62 seconds for the 480 yards hurdle relay, respectively.The Guardian, England, July 21, 1924. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/258945094/?terms=480%2Byard%2Bhurdle%2Brelay//] Retrieved Nov. 17, 2020LA84: The Greatest Gathering of Track and Field Olympians. By John Lucas [https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll10/id/3320/rec/2//] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020The Observer, London newspaper Aug 12, 1928. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/257765594/?terms=British%2BEmpire//] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020

The Oxford–Cambridge rivalry: Oxford versus Cambridge Inter-University competitions included 480 yards hurdles relay (1920 to 1930) and 880 yards low hurdles relay (1926 to 1930).{{cite book |last1=Abrahams |first1=H.M. |last2=Bruce-Kerr |first2=J. | date=1931 |title=Oxford versus Cambridge. A record of Inter-University Contests from 1827-1930 |location=London |publisher=Faber and Faber Limited |page=475 to 482}}

1920: Inter-varsity: Cambridge versus Oxford: Dec 1920: Oxford beat Cambridge in the SHR. Winning time of 67 2/5 seconds.The Guardian, London newspaper Dec 4, 1920. [https://www.newspapers.com/image/258189016/?terms=Cambridge%2Boxford//] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020 December 1921 Oxford beat Cambridge in 69 4/5 seconds.The Guardian, England, Dec. 3, 1921 [https://www.newspapers.com/image/258871836/?terms=Oxford&match=1//] Retrieved Nov. 17, 2020 December 1922 Oxford beat Cambridge in 67 2/5 seconds.The Guardian, England, Dec. 2, 1922 [https://www.newspapers.com/image/259037980//] Retrieved Nov. 17, 2020

Updated November 2020

y = adjusted from the slightly shorter distance of 4 x 120 yards by adding 0.13 seconds

Updated November 2024

{{Cite web |title=Formats and Editions |url=https://search.worldcat.org/formats-editions/996284?sd=asc&start_edition=1&referer=di&se=yr&qt=sort_yr_asc&editionsView=true&fq= |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=search.worldcat.org}}

• List of world records in athletics
• List of United States collegiate records in track and field

{{Reflist}}{{cite book |last1=Abrahams |first1=H.M. |last2=Bruce-Kerr |first2=J. | date=1931 |title=Oxford versus Cambridge. A record of Inter-University Contests from 1827-1930 |location=London |publisher=Faber and Faber Limited |page=475 to 482}}

Track and Field News and USATF websites include current shuttle hurdle relay American Records for the following:

• [https://trackandfieldnews.com/records/mens-american-records Open Men's SHR Record]
• [https://trackandfieldnews.com/records/womens-american-records Open Women's SHR Record]
• [https://trackandfieldnews.com/records/mens-collegiate-records College Men's SHR Record]
• [https://trackandfieldnews.com/records/womens-collegiate-records College Women's SHR Record]
• [https://trackandfieldnews.com/records/mens-junior-college-records Jr College Men's SHR Record]
• Jr College Women's SHR Record - - -
• [https://trackandfieldnews.com/records/boys-high-school-records HS Boys SHR Record]
• [https://trackandfieldnews.com/records/girls-high-school-records HS Girls SHR Record]
• [http://masterstrackandfield.org Masters Track and Field SHR Records]

Additional External Links:

• [http://shuttlehurdlerelay.com Shuttle hurdle relay website]
• [http://www.woodhurdles.com/ShuttleHurdleRelay/1.htm Woodhurdles website]
• [https://www.usatf.org/governance/rule-books USATF Competition Rules]
• [https://www.facebook.com/Shuttle-Hurdle-Relay-110692405632930 Facebook]
• [http://mastershistory.org/xx-SHR Masters Track and Field: Shuttle hurdle relay Records]
• [https://www.greathurdlers.com/hurdle_shuttle_relay_teams.htm Great Hurdlers website]
• [https://www.iahsaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IATOHurdlePlacementSheet.pdf Iowa High School Rules]
• [http://northwesttrack.org/events.html#eshuttle North West Track and Field website]
• [http://www.trackinfo.org/hurdles101.html Hurdles 101 website]

{{Athletics events}}

Category:Track relay races

Shuttle

Category:Events in track and field