Title: What Shoes Do You Need for Distance Track & Field Running? | SportsRec
Headings: What Shoes Do You Need for Distance Track & Field Running?
What Shoes Do You Need for Distance Track & Field Running?
Middle-Distance
Long-Distance
Cross-Country
Considerations

Content: Spiked running shoes are used by most track and field athletes. Replaceable spikes are quickly and easily screwed into the front sole of the shoe to provide traction, but are not located on the heel section of the shoe. Track surfaces vary; some tracks have regulations about the length of spikes that are allowed, so it's a good idea to carry a few different lengths with you. Middle-Distance
The middle-distance races in track and field are the 800 m and the 1,600 m. The 3,000 m is a middle-distance race but is often considered a long-distance race for high-school athletes. While sprinters run races only on the balls of the feet, runners in longer distances also use the heel. To accommodate the heel striking the ground, running spikes for middle-distance runners have more padding in the heel for comfort and to help prevent injury. The shoes tend to be more flexible than sprint spikes to account for a greater range of foot motion. Long-Distance
The 5,000 m and 10,000 m are the long-distance races run on a track. The shoes worn by long-distance runners still have spikes, but are a little heavier and more solid than shoes designed for shorter distances.