hurdles

1. An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race.

   He ran in the 100 metres hurdles.

2. A perceived obstacle.
3. A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for enclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.
4. A sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

1. To jump over something while running.

   He hurdled the bench in his rush to get away.

2. To compete in the track and field events of hurdles (e.g. high hurdles).
3. To overcome an obstacle.
4. To hedge, cover, make, or enclose with hurdles.

noun

A sport where athletes or animals run along a track obstructed by regularly placed hurdles that must be leapt over.