hurdle (v.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict
1590s, "to build like a hurdle," from hurdle (n.). Sense of "to jump over" dates from 1880 (implied in hurdling). Related: Hurdled; hurdling. Hurdles as a type of race (originally horse race) with hurdles as obstacles is attested by 1836 (hurdle-race is from 1822).
heptathlonyoudaoicibaDictYouDict
"An athletic event, in particular one for women, in which each competitor takes part in the same prescribed seven events (100 metres hurdles, high jump, shot-put, 200 metres, long jump, javelin, and 800 metres)", 1970s: from hepta- 'seven' + Greek athlon 'contest', on the pattern of words such as decathlon.