Translation guide
A track event refers to a competitive athletic contest held on a running track, such as sprints, hurdles, relays, or distance races. This guide covers how to refer to these events in Japanese, from general terms to specific event names.
Referring to a track event in general, as opposed to a field event.
The most common and neutral term for track events. It covers all running events on the track.
彼はトラック競技で金メダルを取った。
He won a gold medal in a track event.
Literally 'track event of athletics'. Used when you need to be explicit, especially in formal contexts.
陸上競技のトラック種目には短距離走やハードル走が含まれる。
Track events in athletics include sprints and hurdles.
Naming a particular track event, such as the 100 meters or a relay.
Sprint events. Often used for races up to 400 meters.
彼女は短距離走が得意だ。
She is good at sprint events.
Long-distance running events, typically 3000 meters and above.
長距離走は持久力が必要だ。
Long-distance running requires endurance.
Hurdle events. Can be specified as 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, etc.
ハードル走で転倒した。
He fell during the hurdle event.
Relay race. Often combined with distance, e.g., 4×100mリレー.
リレーでバトンを落とした。
They dropped the baton in the relay.
Middle-distance running, typically 800m to 1500m.
中距離走はスピードと持久力の両方が求められる。
Middle-distance running requires both speed and endurance.
Referring to the sport of track and field, which includes track events.
The general term for track and field. Use this when the context is clear that you mean the sport as a whole.
陸上競技は夏のオリンピックの主要競技だ。
Track and field is a major sport in the Summer Olympics.
Short for 陸上競技. Very common in casual conversation.
トラック競技 specifically means track events (running on the track). 陸上競技 is the broader term for track and field, which includes field events (jumping, throwing) as well as track events. Use トラック競技 when you want to distinguish from field events.
トラック競技はトラックで行われるが、フィールド競技はフィールドで行われる。
Track events are held on the track, while field events are held on the field.
彼は陸上をやっている。
He does track and field.