Racing
A race is a competition of speed. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time. Typically this involves traversing some distance most quickly, but it can be just about any other task.
A race to cover a certain distance may be almost any length, and using any means stipulated by the rules of the race. Running a certain distance is the template of racing, but races are often conducted in vehicles, such as boats and cars, or on/with animals, such as horses.
Early records of races are evident on ancient Greek pottery, where running men are depicted vying for first place. A chariot race is described in Homer's Iliad.
A race and its name are often associated with the place of origin, the means of transport and the distance of the race. As a couple of examples, see the Paris-Dakar rally or the Athens marathon.
Types of racing
Here is a list of some common and not so common forms of racing.
Using only the human body's own muscles:
With bicycles, known as Cycling:
With skis on snow:
With animals (alone or with human riders on animal's back or in carriage):
Using machines powered by motors, on land:
- Auto racing (also known as automobile racing, motor racing or autosport)
- Snowmobile racing ("land" = land or frozen lakes/rivers)
Using boats on water:
and in virtual reality or in a videogame
See also: Sport, Gambling, Totalisator, Pacemaker, Nuclear arms race, Space Race, Race Game, Surf lifesaving
