HURDLING ORIGINATED IN ENGLAND IN THE EARLY 19TH CENTURY, THE RUNNERS RACE OVER A SERIES OF OBSTACLES CALLED HURDLES, WHICH ARE SET A FIXED DISTANCE APART.

RUNNERS MUST REMAIN IN ASSIGNED LANES THROUGHOUT A RACE, AND, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY KNOCK HURDLES DOWN WHILE RUNNING OVER THEM, A RUNNER WHO TRAILS A FOOT OR LEG ALONGSIDE A HURDLE OR KNOCKS IT DOWN WITH A HAND IS DISQUALIFIED. THE FIRST HURDLER TO COMPLETE THE COURSE IS THE WINNER.