It’s one of the most grueling events on the track. Just
watching it makes you tired. It takes strength, stamina and a whole
lot of courage.
But the steeplechase is here and quietly making more of a splash
every year.
Originally designed for horses to compete in, yet in every way
just as punishing for the athletes, the steeplechase has become a
cornerstone for long distance track and field runners. But
it’s a tough race for even the most seasoned distance runner.
The event requires athletes to clear 28 hurdles and seven water
pits during a 3,000-meter race, all while fending off a pack of
competitors.
“Respectively, you have to be a lunatic to do this,”
distance coach Eric Peterson said. “It takes a different type
of athlete to be able compete in the steeplechase.”
The question is why would someone want to compete and train for
such an exhausting race, especially when most have no previous
experience in the steeplechase; high school track does not offer
the event.
“Having a cross-country background, it seemed fun and not
as boring,” said Ben Bruce, a junior at Cal Poly-San Luis
Obispo and the winner of the men’s steeplechase last weekend
at Drake Stadium.
“In long distance races, you have to go around and around
the track. This gives you something more during the
race.”
Even though steeplechase is relatively new to athletes out of
high school, it often becomes their top priority. Most said that it
takes precedent over their other events because it offers athletes
a chance to stand out quickly.
“The kids that do this tend to have a natural feel for
it,” Peterson said. “So for those who find it and excel
at it, embrace it as their contribution to the team, and it becomes
their niche on the team.”
And big contributions from Bruin athletes have already been
made. At the opening outdoor meet of the season Saturday, junior
Melissa McBain won the event in 10:54, the No. 3 time in school
history.
For the women, setting school records isn’t abnormal since
the event is fairly new. It was brought in only three years ago by
the NCAA who felt that with the rising popularity of men’s
steeplechase, the women should participate as well. McBain was one
of the first women steeplechasers in UCLA history.
“The first time I ever ran, it was so exhausting,”
she said. “It’s demanding, but my body has adapted to
it with more training. I’ve kind of found my
niche.”
But according to Peterson, not all the Bruins’ long
distance runners feel the event is right for them.
“The pace is typically slower than a regular distance
race,” he said. “You need to be fairly dynamic,
coordinated and also a little lighter on your feet. Some athletes
need that constant, regulated pace, but in steeplechase you
don’t have that since it’s always a changing pace and
rhythm.”
In addition to the hurdles, what distinguishes the steeple chase
from other distance events is the water pit competitors must
traverse on each lap.
“A lot of people are really intimidated by the water
pit,” McBain said. “It’s definitely the most
challenging part of the race, but if you really work on your
technique, you can save so much time, and you can have such an
advantage over other people.”
“You have to be really, mentally tough in this
race,” UCLA senior Justin Patananan added. “It’s
really hard to make up ground if you’re tired compared to the
5,000. In regular distance races, you don’t have to worry
about the hurdles, you just move up.”
But though the steeplechase may be exhausting and challenging,
most would never give it up.
“I like it ““ I can’t explain it, but I like
it,” McBain said. “It’s the one event that I want
to do all year.”