Shuttle hurdle relay (SHR) is a type of a relay race in track and field in which participants jump (sprint) over hurdles. The shuttle hurdle relay is contested at the Drake Relays, Desert Conference Relays,[1] Kansas Relays, Mt. SAC Relays, Penn Relays, Texas Relays, Akron Relays, Alabama Relay, Appalachian Conference Relay, Florida Relays (Gainesville), Knoxville Relay, Long Beach Relay, Ohio Relays,[2] Santa Barbara Relay, So Cal Relays (at College of the Desert),[3] Tennessee Relays (formerly: Dogwood Relays, Sea Ray Relays), Towson Relays, and Tri-State Relays. The SHR was also included at the 2019 IAAF World Relays and 2021 competition.[4]

High Hurdle Relay

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Currently the SHR is 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.[5]

History

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January 1901 a "Hurdle relay race" was included at a meet in Portland, Oregon. No hurdle details are provided.[6]

December 1906 a "hurdle relay race proved a highly exciting contest" at a meet in Vancouver, Canada. No hurdle details are provided.[7]

January 1907 and November 1907 the YMCA in Kansas held an indoor "hurdle relay."[8] [9]

1910–1911: 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".[10]

June 11, 1910 a girls hurdle relay was held at the Armory in Rochester, New York.[11]

1912 American Physical Review magazine reports a boys SHR at a Dual Athletic Meet between Cambridge High and Latin School vs Rindge Technical School.[12]

A November 1912 announcement for girls in New York - that youth activities would include a "hurdle relay."[13]

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.[14]

May 1917 at the first annual girls' interscholastic meet on Tech Field in Pennsylvania a "Hurdle relay" was competed, with Allegheny 1st, Peabody 2nd, and Latimer third. No hurdle details are provided.[15]

1924 and 1928 British Empire versus the US in the SHR was held at Stamford Bridge, London. July 1924 USA beat British Empire in 61.6 seconds for the 480 yards hurdle relay.[16] 1928: USA beating British Empire in 62 seconds.[17] and.[18]

1926 the SHR was added to the Penn Relays events at the suggestion Lord Burghley (UK's Olympic hurdler).[19]

In April 1938, Oklahoma State set a (then) Kansas Relays meet record in 1:01.6.[20]

March 1953 in California, the SHR was included at the Orange Show Relay and the four-way spike meet (four colleges).[21][22]

1973 a West German team placed 3rd at the Mt Sac Relays in 59.1.[23]

Masters Track and Field have included the SHR as a standard event at the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships.[24] 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.[25]

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.[26][27]

The "high hurdles" are also referred to "sprint hurdles" to separate them from the "long hurdles."

The Shuttle hurdle relay was also included at former relays such as the California Relays, Compton Relays, West Coast Relays,[28] the 1996 Alabama Relays,[29] and the Golden Valley Conference Relays [30] Additional relays include the 1993 European Relays in Portsmouth, England,[31] and July 5, 1981, TAC Relay Championship in Greenvale, New York.[32]

Including a SHR outside of the US and the United Kingdom has been infrequent. August 2007 BAUHAUS-galan (formerly GN Galan) meet in Stockholm, Sweden included the 480 Yard Shuttle Hurdle Relay. USA 53.36 in 1st, Sweden 57.03 in 2nd, and Finland 57.26 in 3rd. The event was well received.[33]

The 1990 Penn Relay included a 880 shuttle hurdle relay.[34]

Oxford versus Cambridge

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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).[35]

1920: Inter-varsity: Cambridge versus Oxford: Dec 1920: Oxford beat Cambridge in the SHR. Winning time of 67 2/5 seconds.[36] December 1921 Oxford beat Cambridge in 69 4/5 seconds.[37] December 1922 Oxford beat Cambridge in 67 2/5 seconds.[38]

Mile intermediate hurdle relay

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In the past, a rarely run 4 x 440 yard shuttle hurdle relay was included at some competitions. A height of 36" tall hurdles is used. 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.[39] Cedarville College (Cole, Alexander, Perkins, and Gruber) placing second took six seconds off their own school record.[40]

April 1973, Edinboro State at the Akron Invitational Relays, Akron, Ohio broke the record for this event.[41] On 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.[42] April 17, 1974 Stanford broke Occidental College's record while defeating Skyline College.[43] March 15, 1975 Occidental College gained the record back.[44] April 24, 1976 Mt Sac College broke the record at the Mt. SAC Relays,[45] and on April 23, 1977, Pasadena broke the record at the Mt. SAC Relays.[46] 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.[47]

All-time top 20

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Men – 4 × 110m

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Updated November 2020

Rank Time Team Nationality Date Place Ref
1 52.94 Jason Richardson
Aleec Harris
Aries Merritt
David Oliver
  USA 25 April 2015 Des Moines [48]
2 53.08 Andrew Riley
Ryan Braithwaite
Hansle Parchment
Greggmar Swift
  JAM
  BAR
  JAM
  BAR
25 April 2015 Des Moines
3 53.36 USA
Ron Bramlett
Anwar Moore
David Payne
Aries Merritt
  USA 7 August 2007 Stockholm
4 53.44y USA Red
David Oliver
Joel Brown
Aubrey Herring
Aries Merritt
  USA 25 April 2008 Philadelphia
5 53.62 ACC All Stars
Allen Johnson
Steve Brown
Terry Reese
Duane Ross

  USA
  TTO
  USA
  USA
16 May 1998 Clemson
6 53.62 Ronnie Ash
Ryan Wilson
Spencer Adams
Jeff Porter
  USA 25 April 2015 Des Moines
7 53.65 World Express
Eddie Lovett
Spencer Adams
Jarret Eaton
Mikel Thomas

  ISV
  USA
  USA
  TTO
4 April 2015 Gainesville
8 53.77 Jeff Porter
Dominic Berger
Aries Merritt
Ty Akins
  USA
  USA
  USA
  NGR
26 April 2014 Des Moines
9 53.83 Jamaica
Andrew Riley
Deuce Carter
Hansle Parchment
Stefan Fennell
  JAM 26 April 2014 Des Moines
10 53.88 Karamu Flyers
Jack Pierce
Tony Dees
Eric Reid
Keith Talley
  USA 1 April 1989 Tempe
11 53.93 Karamu Flyers
Jack Pierce
Eric Reid
Tony Dees
Keith Talley
  USA 7 May 1989 Modesto
12 54.07y South Carolina
Corey Taylor
Fred Townsend
Charles Ryan
Kenneth Ferguson
  USA 25 April 2003 Philadelphia
13 54.10 Elite 2008
David Oliver
Aubrey Herring
Joel Brown
John McDowell
  USA 5 April 2008 Gainesville
14 54.20 USC Alumni
Sam Turner
Philip Johnson
Milan Stewart
Tonie Campbell
  USA 25 April 1982 Walnut
15 54.23 Star Athletics
Ryan Braithwaite
Selim Nurudeen
Roudy Monrose
Kemar Hyman

  BAR
  NGR
  HAI
  CAY
6 April 2013 Gainesville
16 54.30 Star Athletics 7 April 2012 Gainesville
17 54.35y East Coast All-Stars
Courtney Hawkins
Glenn Terry
Allen Johnson
Jack Pierce
  USA 28 April 1995 Philadelphia
18 54.36 Brooks Beast
David Oliver
? Thomas
Ryan Wilson
Jeff Porter

  USA

  USA
  USA
6 April 2013 Gainesville
19 54.40 Tennessee
Jerome Wilson
Anthony Hancock
Reggie Towns
Willie Gault
  USA 22 May 1981 Knoxville .[49]
20 54.41 Philadelphia Pioneers
Wayne Mason
Dan Oliver
Kerry Bethel
Charles Foster
  USA 22 May 1981 Knoxville .[50]

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

Women – 4 × 100m

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Rank Time Team Nationality Date Place Ref
1 50.50 USA Blue
Brianna Rollins
Dawn Harper-Nelson
Queen Harrison
Kristi Castlin

  USA
24 April 2015 Des Moines .[51]
2 50.50 All Stars White
Tiffany Porter
Jasmin Stowers
Jacquelyn Coward
Sharika Nelvis

  GBR
  USA
  USA
  USA
24 April 2015 Des Moines
3 50.66 BJPTC
Kristi Castlin
Brianna Rollins
Queen Harrison
Tiffany Porter

  USA
  USA
  USA
  GBR
5 April 2014 Gainesville
4 50.78 BoogieFast
Nia Ali
Kristi Castlin
Yvette Lewis
Queen Harrison

  USA
  USA
  PAN
  USA
6 April 2013 Gainesville [52]
5 50.93 USA Red
Brianna Rollins
Lolo Jones
Vashti Thomas
Queen Harrison

  USA
25 April 2014 Des Moines
6 52.00 Russia
Marina Azyabina
Yelena Sinyutina
Eva Sokolova
Yelizaveta Chernyshova

  Russia
5 June 1993 Portsmouth .[53]
7 52.01 Jamaica
Shermaine Williams
Andrea Bliss
Monique Morgan
LaToya Greaves
  Jamaica 25 April 2014 Des Moines
8 52.07 Star Athletics
Kellie Wells
Tenaya Jones
LaVonne Idlette
Jacquelyn Coward

  USA
  USA
  DOM
  USA
5 April 2014 Gainesville
9 52.29 Great Britain / Austria
Danielle Carruthers
Beate Schrott
Tiffany Porter
Isabelle Pederson

  USA
  Austria
  GBR
  NOR
6 April 2013 Gainesville
10 52.30 Ukraine
Olena Politika
Olena Alystrasenko
Nadezhda Bodrova
Natalya Kolovanova
  Ukraine 5 June 1993 Portsmouth .[54]
11 52.32 Drake Red
Janay DeLoach
Tenaya Jones
Raven Clay
Vashti Thomas

  USA
  USA
  USA
  PAN
24 April 2015 Des Moines
12 52.38 Star Athletics
Damu Mitchell
Loreal Smith
Tiki James
Kellie Wells
  USA 7 April 2012 Gainesville
13 52.38 Star Athletics
Jacquelyn Coward
Kellie Wells
Tenaya Jones
LaVonne Idlette

  USA
  USA
  USA
  DOM
6 April 2013 Gainesville
14 52.50 Texas A&M
Vashti Thomas
Gabby Mayo
Donique Flemings
Natasha Ruddock

  PAN
  USA
  USA
  JAM
23 April 2010 Philadelphia
15 52.50 Academy Art
Jesseka Raymond
Briana Stewart
Dinesha Bean
Julian Purvis
  USA 27 April 2013 Des Moines
16 52.59 BoogieFest
Queen Harrison
Kristi Castlin
Michaylin Golladay
Beate Schrott

  USA
  USA
  USA
  AUT
7 April 2012 Gainesville
17 52.62 Elite Athletes
Christina Manning
Sharika Nelvis
Raven Clay
Cambrya Jones
  USA 4 April 2015 Gainesville
18 52.77 Louisiana State University
Tenaya Jones
Angel Boyd
Jessica Ohanaja
Nickiesha Wilson

  USA
  USA
  NGR
  JAM
25 April 2008 Philadelphia
19 52.85 Illinois
Jenny Kallur
Camee Williams
Susanna Kallur
Perdita Felicien

  SWE
  USA
  SWE
  CAN
28 April 2001 Des Moines
20 52.87 Clemson
Brianna Rollins
Bridgette Owens
Kendra Harrison
Monique Gracia
  USA 7 April 2012 Gainesville

Mixed - 4 x 110 m

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Updated August 2021

Rank Time Team Nationality Date Place Ref
1 54.42 Team Blue
Kristi Castlin, Spencer Adams, Nia Ali, Eddie Lovett
  United States,   United States,   United States,   United States Virgin Islands 30 April 2016 Des Moines [55]
2 54.77 Team Red
Jasmin Stowers, Hansel Parchment, Jaqueline Coward, Aries Merritt
  United States 30 April 2016 Des Moines [56]
3 54.89 Team Green
Kendra Harrison, Aleec Harris, Brianna Rollins, Omar McLeod
  United States,   United States,   United States,   Jamaica 30 April 2016 Des Moines [57]
4 54.96 Christina Clemons, Freddie Crittenden, Sharika Nelvis, Devon Allen   United States 11 May 2019 Yokohama [58]
5 55.09 Sharika Nelvis, Freddie Crittenden, Queen Harrison, Ryan Fontenot   United States 11 May 2019 Yokohama [59]
6 55.47 Amoi Brown, Andrew Riley, Megan Tapper, Ronald Levy   Jamaica 11 May 2019 Yokohama [60]
7 55.59 Ayako Kimura, Shunya Takayama, Masumi Aoki, Taio Kanai   Japan 11 May 2019 Yokohama [61]
8 56.13 Ayako Kimura, Shunya Takayama, Masumi Aoki, Taio Kanai   Japan 11 May 2019 Yokohama [62]
9 56.40 Brianna Beahan, Nicholas Hough, Celeste Mucci, Nick Andrews   Australia 11 May 2019 Yokohama [63]
10 56.53 Monika Zapalska, Erik Balnuweit, Anne Weigold, Gregor Traber   Germany 1 May 2021 Chorzów [64]

See also

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Reference: The Hurdler's Bible

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Citations

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  • Abrahams, H.M.; Bruce-Kerr, J. (1931). Oxford versus Cambridge. A record of Inter-University Contests from 1827-1930. London: Faber and Faber Limited. p. 475 to 482.

References

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  1. ^ The Desert Sun, Mar 10, 1975.[1] Retrieved Oct 4, 2023
  2. ^ lynbrooksports 1969.[2] Retrieved May 16, 2024
  3. ^ Desert Sun, Apr 17, 1981.[3] Retrieved Nov 6, 2023
  4. ^ World Athletics, June 13, 2021
  5. ^ USATF. [4] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020
  6. ^ The Sunday Oregonian, Jan 13, 1901.[5] Retrieved Nov 6, 2024
  7. ^ The Province, Dec 13, 1906.[6] Retrieved Nov 6, 2024
  8. ^ Topeka State Journal, Jan 3, 1907.[7] Retrieved Feb 1, 2024
  9. ^ Topeka State Journal, Nov 7, 1907.[8] Retrieved Feb 1, 2024
  10. ^ Spalding's Athletic Library, Girl Athletics 1910–1911. [9] Retrieved Nov. 22, 2020
  11. ^ Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, June 12, 1910. [10] Retrieved Nov. 22, 2020
  12. ^ American Physical Review magazine, 1912, pg 653.[11] Retrieved Aug 6, 2023
  13. ^ The Berlin New Record, Nov 2, 1912.[12] Retrieved Feb 1, 2024
  14. ^ Honolulu Star-Bulletin, May 6, 1916.[13] Retrieved Feb 1, 2024
  15. ^ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 27, 1917.[14] Retrieved Nov 6, 2024
  16. ^ The Guardian, England, July 21, 1924. [15] Retrieved Nov. 17, 2020
  17. ^ LA84: The Greatest Gathering of Track and Field Olympians. By John Lucas [16] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020
  18. ^ The Observer, London newspaper Aug 12, 1928. [17] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020
  19. ^ Sports Illustrated [18] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020
  20. ^ Detroit Free Press, Apr 24, 1938. [19] Retrieved Aug 25, 2021
  21. ^ San Bernardino County Sun, Mar 26, 1953.[20] Retrieved Nov 23, 2022
  22. ^ Pomona Progress Bulletin, Mar 23, 1953.[21] Retrieved Nov 23, 2022
  23. ^ San Francisco Examiner, Apr 29, 1973. [22] Retrieved Jun 1, 2022
  24. ^ Archive: masterstrack.com. [23] Retrieved Oct. 26, 2020
  25. ^ Track & Field Records. [24] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020
  26. ^ Finish Timing Meet Results, July 2021. [25] Retrieved Sept 16, 2021
  27. ^ USATF Championship, 2022. [26] Retrieved Nov 23, 2022
  28. ^ LA84. Track and Field Meet Results c1964. [27] Retrieved Oct. 26, 2020
  29. ^ Track Newsletter March 27, 1996 [28] Retrieved Nov 29, 2020
  30. ^ Oak Leaf newspaper, Mar 18, 1965. [29] Retrieved Dec 27, 2020
  31. ^ Track Newsletter June 17, 1993. [30] Retrieved November 4, 2020
  32. ^ Track Newsletter, July 16, 1981. [31] Retrieved Dec 31, 2020
  33. ^ Woodhurdles website. [32] Retrieved Dec 30, 2020
  34. ^ Boston Globe, Apr 29, 1990.[33] Retrieved Nov 23, 2022
  35. ^ Abrahams, H.M.; Bruce-Kerr, J. (1931). Oxford versus Cambridge. A record of Inter-University Contests from 1827-1930. London: Faber and Faber Limited. p. 475 to 482.
  36. ^ The Guardian, London newspaper Dec 4, 1920. [34] Retrieved Oct. 14, 2020
  37. ^ The Guardian, England, Dec. 3, 1921 [35] Retrieved Nov. 17, 2020
  38. ^ The Guardian, England, Dec. 2, 1922 [36] Retrieved Nov. 17, 2020
  39. ^ Battle Creek Enquirer, Michigan, April 30, 1972. [37] Retrieved Dec 17, 2020
  40. ^ Xenia Daily Gazette, Ohio May 1, 1972. [38] Retrieved Dec 17, 2020
  41. ^ San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, April 7, 1974. [39] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020
  42. ^ Times Standard, Eureka, California, April 7, 1974. [40] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020
  43. ^ The Times, San Mateo, California, April 18, 1974 [41] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020
  44. ^ Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California. [42] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020
  45. ^ Pomona Progress, April 25, 1976. [43] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020
  46. ^ Progress Bulletin, Pomona, California. [44] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020
  47. ^ Los Angeles Times, February 24, 1991 [45] Retrieved Oct. 17, 2020
  48. ^ Track and Field News. [46] Retrieved November 6, 2020
  49. ^ Track Newsletter, May 29, 1981. [47] Retrieved November 13, 2020
  50. ^ Track Newsletter, May 29, 1981. [48] Retrieved November 13, 2020
  51. ^ Track and Field News. [49] Retrieved November 4, 2020
  52. ^ Jon Mulkeen (7 April 2013). "Freeman's breakthrough and Hoffa's world lead highlight Florida Relays". IAAF. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  53. ^ Track Newsletter June 17, 1993. [50] Retrieved November 4, 2020
  54. ^ Track Newsletter June 17, 1993. [51] Retrieved November 4, 2020
  55. ^ "2016 Drake Relays Results" (PDF). godrakebulldogs.com. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  56. ^ "2016 Drake Relays Results" (PDF). godrakebulldogs.com. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  57. ^ "2016 Drake Relays Results" (PDF). godrakebulldogs.com. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  58. ^ "Mixed 4×110m Shuttle Hurdle Relay Final Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  59. ^ "Mixed 4×110m Shuttle Hurdle Relay Heats Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  60. ^ "Mixed 4×110m Shuttle Hurdle Relay Heats Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  61. ^ "Mixed 4×110m Shuttle Hurdle Relay Final Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  62. ^ "Mixed 4×110m Shuttle Hurdle Relay Heats Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  63. ^ "Mixed 4×110m Shuttle Hurdle Relay Heats Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 11 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  64. ^ "Mixed Shuttle Hurdle Relay Results". World Athletics. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 7 Aug 2021.
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Track and Field News and USATF websites include current shuttle hurdle relay American Records for the following:

Additional External Links: