Coach's Blog

Heptathlon

A heptathlon is a track and field athletics combined events contest made up of seven events. The name derives from the Greek hepta (seven) and athlon (contest). A competitor in a heptathlon is referred to as a heptathlete.



Long Jump

Jess Ennis - Long JumpThe Long Jump is scheduled on the second day of competition.

It's another technical event that demands speed, timing, precsion and technique in order to do well.

Setting another personal best of 6.51 metres in the keenly contested three-event challenge at the IAAF Diamond League in New York on June 12. The long jump is an event Jessica is working hard to improve having switched take-off foot at the start of the 2010 season.

 
Javelin Throw

Jess Ennis - Javelin ThrowThe javelin is one of two throwing events in the heptathlon.

Requires a fine balance between technique and power. Jessica receives specialist training in this event from British Javelin legend Mick Hill.

Jessica's furthest throw in this event is 46.71 metres achieved in July 2010 in Barcelona.

 
100m Hurdles

Jessica Ennis doing the 100m HurdlesThe first event of the competition.

From start to finish the competitors race over ten hurdles.

Jessica recorded a personal best of 12.81 at BOTTROP in Germany - June 2009.

 
Shot Putt

Jess Ennis - Shot PuttAnother throwing event in the heptathlon is the Shot Putt.

From within a 7 feet circle the competitor must throw the shot as far as possible to achieve maximum points.

With her final throw in Berlin at the World Championships Jessica threw 14.14 metres. She has since achieved a new personal best of 14.25 metres at the Hypo meet in Gotsiz (2010).

 
200m

Jess Ennis - 200mThe last event on the first day of competition is the 200m.

Competitors sprint one-half of the track.

Jessica's 200m PB is 23.15 seconds - achieved in Osaka, Japan at the World Championships in August 2007.

 

 

 
High Jump

Jess Ennis - High JumpThe High Jump is the second event on the first day of competition.

Currently one of Jessica's strongest events. Her jump of 1.95m in May 2007 equalled the female British record which has been held for over 25 years.

Jessica achieved a jump of 1.95 metres at the IAAF Combined Events Challenge 2007, held in Dezenzano, Italy.

 
800m

Jess Ennis - 800m

The final event of the heptathlon.

Two fast laps of the track and one of the toughest events.

Jessica's best time for this event is 2:09.88 minutes.

 

 
IAAF

Jessica Ennis at IAAF

Heptathlon results from Berlin 2009 - as it happened!

IAFF heptathlon results

 

 


 

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