Ten Barriers: America's Sprint Hurdles Legacy — Men's 110m & Women's 100m Hurdles

An illustrated history of two great events.

I ran the 110m hurdles at Boise State University, and this event still has my attention.

Ten barriers connect two races. The men's 110m hurdles has been an Olympic event since 1896, and Americans have defined it for more than a century — the United States has won 20 of the 30 Olympic men's titles. The women's 100m hurdles joined the Olympics in 1972 and built its own legacy: American champions, a historic Olympic sweep in 2016, and depth no other country has matched. This book shows how both legacies happened, and why they keep happening.

Inside the book:

- The full story, generation by generation — the foundations, the Olympic stronghold, the record breakers, and the modern renewal

- The women's race told on its own terms — a different beginning, a historic Olympic sweep, and depth that became a defining strength

- Technique explained plainly — how the men's and women's races are actually run, and why the geometry changes everything

- Why America keeps producing contenders — the pipeline behind the medals

- A beginner's guide — technique cues, how to watch a hurdles race, coaching questions, and key terms

- The evidence: complete appendices with all 30 men's and 14 women's Olympic finals, 20 World Championship finals for each event, and the full world-record progressions

112 pages, illustrated with photographs of the athletes and meets it documents. For track fans, athletes, coaches, and anyone new to the event who wants to understand what they're watching.

Published by Byron Canty. Expanded edition, October 2026. Research cutoff 7 October 2026. This edition contains AI-generated narrative developed through source-based research and editorial review; official results and primary institutional sources form the factual base (full note inside the book).

About the author:

My connection to the hurdles began long before this book. As a collegiate 110m hurdler and conference champion at Boise State University, I experienced firsthand the discipline, precision and composure this event demands. Success requires more than speed. It requires finding a rhythm, trusting your preparation and maintaining control through ten barriers.

That experience shaped a love for hurdling that has stayed with me ever since. I continue to follow the event with the appreciation of someone who has competed—and the excitement of a fan who knows there is always another remarkable performance ahead.

Today's generation gives us plenty to be excited about. Watching athletes such as Ja'Kobe Tharp and Masai Russell brings a renewed sense of possibility to the sport. Their performances invite us to consider how much further the event can progress while reminding us of the champions who helped establish its standard.

Ten Barriers: America's Sprint Hurdles Legacy explores that connection between past and present. Through championship stories, records, results and technique, it examines the achievements of American men and women within a fiercely competitive international sport.

Whether you are a former hurdler, a young athlete, a coach or a curious fan, I hope these pages deepen your appreciation for the event—and leave you as eager as I am to see what comes next.

— Byron Canty