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Track and Field Track and fieldis the name given to contests for men and women that involve running, jumping for height and distance, and throwing for distance using implements of standardized design. Competitions in track and field are called meets and are usually held outdoors, with the running events taking place on a portion of or around a 400-m (437.4-yd) or 440-yd (402.3-m) track made out of cinders, clay, or synthetic compounds.
The field events--those disciplines involving jumping and throwing--generally take place at the same time as the running events, on the area within the track's circumference, or nearby.
Indoor tracks are generally made of wood and are often banked to offset the sharp turns of the smaller oval tracks.
Separate but related sports are often considered to be part of the track-and-field family. Cross-country is a fall and winter activity for distance runners, with races of 3.2-19.3 km (2-12 mi) being run over flat terrain--often golf courses in the United States and rugged farmland in other countries. Road running, especially the MARATHON distance (26 mi 385 yd/42.2 km) is an increasingly popular activity, with races taking place over a measured course on city streets or country roads. Long-distance walking events are usually held on road courses as well.
The outdoor track season is usually March to June in the United States and through September in Europe and Asia. The cross-country season is generally from September until early December in the United States, although in Europe meets are often held throughout the winter until the start of the outdoor track season. Indoor meets are held in the winter months, December through March. Road races are held throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.
 The New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia Grolier Electronic Publishing Inc, Sherman Turnpike, Danbury, CT 06816
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