Long-distance running confined area. Early tracks were usually on flattened earth or were simply marked areas of grass. The style of running tracks became refined during the 20th century: the oval running tracks were standardised to 400 metres in distance and cinder tracks were replaced by synthetic all-weather running track of asphalt and rubber from the mid-1960s onwards. It was not until the 1912 Stockholm Olympics that the standard long-distance track events of 5000 metres and 10,000 metres were introduced. Long-distance road running competitions are mainly conducted on courses of paved or tarmac roads, although major events often finish on the track
2004 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) 2004 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) The 2004 United States Olympic Trials for track and field were held at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California. Organised by USA Track and Field, the ten-day competition lasted from July 9 until July 18 and served as the national championships in track and field for the United States. The results of the event determined qualification for the American Olympic team at the 2004 Summer Olympics, held in Athens. Provided they had achieved the Olympic "A" standard, the top three athletes gained a place on the Olympic team. In the event that a