The Ott Center houses indoor track and field events and practices.
Credit: Grace ChenWhat exactly differentiates one thing from another when they hold similar qualities? As Penn track and field heads to the finish line of the indoor track and field season, the outdoor track and field season waits right around the corner. With the November 2024 opening of the Ott Center for Track and Field, Penn’s new premier indoor track facility, numerous records have been set and impressive times have been recorded this season.
“The Ott Center has been an amazing addition to our program and the track and field community at large,” Director of track and field Steve Dolan wrote in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian. “Penn track and field is so honored to have the opportunity to train and compete in this world-class facility.”
Shorter tracks, tighter turns, and new tactics
This season has highlighted the nuances of indoor track events, showcasing the distinct strategies student-athletes employ that differ from outdoor competition. On one hand, the indoor track consists of a multitude of facility differences. For example, indoor tracks are shorter, with the 200-meter laps meaning that student-athletes are running on tighter turns more frequently in their races. Banked turns also add to this element, helping the student-athletes maintain their speed around turns. This is the opposite of outdoor tracks’ flat turns, and race strategy and speed, especially in longer races, are impacted by this feature. Furthermore, the tracks usually contain only four-to-six lanes, whereas outdoor tracks have six-to-nine lanes. This can lead to more athletes in races, increasing congestion and bumping, which stresses the greater importance of tactical positioning.
A race against the elements — or without them?
What is arguably most salient to note about indoor track is the contained atmosphere that indoor events offer to athletes and fans. With the events being held indoors, elements like wind, rain, and extreme temperatures are taken out of the equation. As student-athletes get more controlled weather conditions, however, there is one factor that becomes more important that can’t be controlled — the crowd.
“One of the aspects that makes an indoor track and field meet very exciting is the close proximity of the spectators to the competition. The Ott Center features a 200m track — outdoor tracks are 400m — with all the field events contested inside or just outside the oval,” Dolan wrote. “The condensed space leads to an electric atmosphere.”
New atmosphere, new events?
Despite the strategic and environmental differences, there’s one more area in which the two disciplines differ — event offerings.
Although a lot of discussion has been about how different the track-event scene is between indoors and outdoors, it’s important to not forget the differences in field events as well. Due to space constraints, discus and javelin events are not held during the indoor season. Considerations of are also made for the pole vault and high jump events in case of lower ceilings.
The indoor season often serves as excellent preparation for student-athletes transitioning into the outdoor season, especially with the two seasons occurring back to back. Looking ahead, the Penn Relays and other exciting outdoor events are in store for the Quakers.
“The additional space that is available with outdoor facilities also presents some exciting opportunities as we add events that are not contested indoor,” Dolan wrote. “For example, we contest longer hurdle races — 100/110m hurdles and 400m hurdles — and the longer throwing events, discus, hammer, and javelin, among other additional events as well.”
“We are very fortunate to practice and compete outdoors at Franklin Field and at the Mondschein Throws Complex as well,” Dolan added, “Penn has the rich history of hosting the Penn Relays and many other great outdoor track and field meets.”
Peanut butter and jelly, yin and yang, indoor and outdoor track — each pair balances the other. Their strengths and weaknesses complement one another, emphasizing the unique qualities that make both distinct and significant.
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