Advice for Building Steeplechase Barriers?

[Grasshopper]

A student I know is interested in building some wooden steeplechase barriers for our local track as his eagle scout project. Does anyone know where I might find blueprints or designs (or even good photos of wooden barriers) for a project like this? Any help you can offer is appreciated. Thanks.

[nmzoo]

The NCAA rule book, which you can access online, has drawings (Rule 1, section 3) and specifications (Rule 2, section 3). Each "barrier", by rule, is supposed to weigh 80kg minimum (176#), but few actually do.

[AthleticsInBritain]

They're supposed to weigh 80kg minimum?

I knew there was a reason I never took up the 'chase.

[nmzoo]

Thats what the rules say. Personally, I wouldn't make them anywhere near that heavy (maybe 60-80 lbs). 176 lbs is just too heavy to move around and I have never come across any of the newer barriers that were anywhere near that heavy, at least not for high school/college use.

[James Fields]

There's a better drawing available at http://www.steeplechics.com/facequip.php

Weight provides needed stability to facilitate runners stepping on the cross bar, which is permitted by rules, and to help prevent barriers from being tipped over. The weight, plus labor and materials for construction, could be reduced by decreasing the barrier's length about half.

I read in the Washington Post a few years back about high school boys building a reduced-length barrier -- much easier to carry and position at the long jump pit that served as a substitute for water jump practice.

[26mi235]

I 'tested' the barriers on the UW track last night when I was there with my kids. I was pretty heavy and could easily met the standard. It is movable on wheels, I think. It is a 'newer' model in that it can be raised and lowered for the men and women.

[James Fields]

The barrier observed at a university track was described as "pretty heavy" but "movable on wheels, I think. It is a 'newer' model in that it can be raised and lowered for the men and women."

Those newer barriers are nice but, like most commercial T&F equipment, they are expensive.

During the first seven years of global women's steepling movement, the barrier height was the same for both men and women -- compensated by a shorter 2000m distance for women. Then the distance was made the same (3000m) in USA rules, effective 1995, but with lower barriers to which manufacturers responded with a height adjustment feature at more expense. That change was reflected in the 1996-97 IAAF rules.

However, this thread originator sought advice for a student "building some wooden steeplechase barriers for our local track as his eagle scout project." If that project must serve both genders, consider that some venues have separate barriers (different heights) instead of adjustable model.

[Grasshopper]

Thanks for your help so far everyone. Our plan is to build 4-5 barriers for each height, rather than try to engineer some way to make them adjustable. We might also limit the width to about 6'-8' so that they're easier to move. The reason we'd prefer to have some tried and tested blueprint designs is to ensure that the barriers are safe and structurally sound. As you can imagine, there could be some serious liability issues if we simply try to reverse engineer the barriers from a photo or create our own design, and then someone gets hurt because the barrier breaks or tips over. Please keep the ideas and/or advice coming. If anyone has contact info for someone who you know has built similar barriers before, please forward it on.

[26mi235]

However, this thread originator sought advice for a student "building some wooden steeplechase barriers for our local track as his eagle scout project." If that project must serve both genders, consider that some venues have separate barriers (different heights) instead of adjustable model.

This is a good point, but let me point out another element of the long-term problem. If you have to have twice as many barriers you also have to have the storage for twice as many barriers. Storage at tracks is usually limited. Figuring out what to do might for dual usage might be the better solution. Also, one of the supply companies might be interested in this activity. Maybe that have some old, not fully functional equipment parts that could be used (if he is willing to sign a non-compete agreement :wink: ).