Middle distance races are part of the track and field discipline, usually the 800m and 1500m races, though it encompasses all track running races from 800m up to 3km such as the mile. Any longer races on the track as referred to as long-distance races, which comprises of all running races of distances from 3km up including the steeplechase.

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The 800m runners start the race in lanes, though they merge together after about 100m to run along the inside of the track. Longer middle distance races such as the 1500m and mile races start with the runners spread across the track in a line and they immediately race to the inside of the track. As the runners are not restricted to run in their own lane, it enables more jockeying for position and for tactics to play a part, making for exciting finishes to races.