Las carreras de vallas son carreras de velocidad en las que los competidores deben superar una serie de obstáculos hechos en madera y metal, o también en plástico, llamadas vallas. Las carreras de vallas forman parte del programa de atletismo en los Juegos Olímpicos y el Campeonato Mundial de Atletismo. Las carreras de vallas al aire libre son 110 metros vallas (categoría masculina), 100 metros vallas (categoría femenina) y 400 metros con vallas (ambos sexos). En pista cubierta, se suelen correr los 60 metros vallas. Las distancias de las carreras de vallas, así como las alturas de las propias vallas, varían según la distancia de la prueba, el sexo y la edad de los atletas. Estas son las medidas actualmente vigentes en Juegos Olímpicos y Campeonatos Mundiales.

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Hurdling is the act of running and jumping over an obstacle at speed. In the sport of athletics, hurdling forms the basis of a number track and field events which are a highly specialized form of obstacle racing. In these events, a series of barriers known as hurdles are set at precisely measured heights and distances which each athlete must pass by running over. Failure to pass over, by passing under, or intentionally knocking over hurdles will result in disqualification.Accidental knocking over of hurdles is not cause for disqualification, but the hurdles are weighted to make doing so disadvantageous. The most prominent hurdles events are 110 meters hurdles for men, 100 meters hurdles for women, and 400 meters hurdles (both sexes) – these three distances are all contested at the Summer Olympics and the World Championships in Athletics. The two shorter distances take place on the straight of a running track, while the 400 m version covers one whole lap of a standard oval track. Events over shorter distances are also commonly held at indoor track and field events, ranging from 50 meters hurdles upwards. Women historically competed in the 80 meters hurdles at the Olympics in the mid-20th century. Hurdles race are also part of combined events contests, including the decathlon and heptathlon. In track races, hurdles are normally between 68–107 cm in height (or 27-42 inches), and vary depending on the age and gender of the hurdler. Events from 50 to 110 meters are technically known as high hurdles races, while longer competitions are low hurdles races. The track hurdles events are forms of sprinting competitions, although the 400 m version is less anaerobic in nature and demands athletic qualities similar to the 800 meters flat race. A hurdling technique can also be found in the steeplechase, although in this event athletes are also permitted to step on the barrier to clear it. Similarly, in cross country running athletes may hurdle over various natural obstacles, such as logs, mounds of earth and small streams – this represents the sporting origin of the modern events. Horse racing has its own variant of hurdle racing, with similar principals.

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