800m

Middle-distance races are part of the discipline of athletics, usually the 800 m and 1500 m races, although it covers all track races from 800 m to 3 km, such as the mile. The longest races on the track are called long-distance races, which are made up of all distance races from 3 km, including the steeplechase.

The 800m runners start the race in lanes, though they merge after about 100m to run on the inside of the track. Longer middle-distance races, such as 1500m and mile races, start with the runners spread out across the track in a line and immediately run to the inside of the track. As racers are not restricted to racing in their own lane, it allows more maneuvering for position and tactics to play a role, leading to exciting finishes to races.