 The long jump is one of the oldest track and field events , having its roots as one of the events within the ancient Greek pentathlon contest . The athletes would take a short run up and jump into an area of dug up earth , with the winner being the one who jumped farthest . Small weights ( Halteres ) were held in each hand during the jump then swung back and dropped near the end to gain extra momentum and distance . The modern long jump , standardised in England and the United States around 1860 , bears resemblance to the ancient event although no weights are used . Athletes sprint along a length of track that leads to a jumping board and a sandpit . The athletes must jump before a marked line and their achieved distance is measured from the nearest point of sand disturbed by the athlete 's body . 
 The long jump <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a>one of the oldest track and field events , having its roots as one of the events within the ancient Greek pentathlon contest . The athletes would take a short run up and jump into an area of dug up earth , with the winner being the one <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>who</mark></a>jumped farthest . Small weights ( Halteres ) <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> held in each hand during the jump then swung back and dropped near the end to gain extra momentum and distance . The modern long jump , standardised in England and the United States around 1860 , <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>bears</mark></a> resemblance to the ancient event although no weights are used . Athletes sprint along a length of track <a href='null_relcl' title='5'><mark>that</mark></a><a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>leads</mark></a> to a jumping board and a sandpit . The athletes must jump before a marked line and their achieved distance is measured from the nearest point of sand disturbed by the athlete <a href='null_genetive' title='7'><mark>'s</mark></a>body . 
The long jump one of the oldest track and field events , having its roots as one of the events within da ancient Greek pentathlon contest . The athletes would take a short run up and jump into an area of dug up earth , w/ the winner bein tdaone jumped farthest . Small weights ( Halteres ) was held in each hand durin thdaump then swung back and dropped near thedad to gain extra momentum and distance . The daern long jump , standardised in England and the United States around 1860 , bear resemblance to the ancient event although no weights are used . Athletes sprint along a length of track lead to a jumping board and a sandpit . The athletes must jump b4 a marked line and their achieved distance is measured from the nearest point of sand disturbed by the adaete  body .