A race is a competition of speed, against an objective criterion, usually a clock or to a specific point. The competitors in a race try to complete a given task in the shortest amount of time. Typically this involves traversing some distance, but it can be any other task involving speed.

Running a distance is the most basic form of racing, but races are often conducted in vehicles, such as boats, cars and aircraft, or with animals such as horses.

A race may be run continuously from start to finish or may be made of several segments called heats or stages (stages are also known as legs). A heat is usually run over the same course at different times. A stage is a shorter section of a much longer course or a time trial.

Early records of races are evident on pottery from ancient Greece, which depicted running men vying for first place. A chariot race is described in Homer's Iliad.

Unassisted human racing

Using only the human body's own muscles:

• Running:
• Cross country running
• Marathon
• Road running
• Track running in Athletics
• Fell running
• Relay Race
• Amateur Radio Direction Finding
• Orienteering
• Rogaining
• Racewalking
• Swimming

Cycle racing

Bicycle racing:

• Track cycling, such as a Points race
• Road bicycle racing, such as the Tour de France
• Mountain (offroad) cycling
• BMX (Bicycle Motocross)

Ski racing

Skiing with skis, on snow:

• Alpine skiing such as Slalom skiing or Downhill skiing
• Cross-country skiing

Animal racing

• Camel racing
• Dog racing
• Greyhound racing
• Dogsled racing, such as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
• Horse-racing, see also United Kingdom horse-racing and Equestrianism
• Chariot racing
• Flat racing
• Thoroughbred horse races, such as Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing or a Derby.
• Trotting
• Steeplechase
• Pigeon racing
• Pig racing
• Ostrich racing
• Snail racing

Aircraft racing

• Air racing

Motor racing

Vehicles powered by motors, on land:

• Auto racing (also known as automobile racing or autosport)
• Board track racing
• Drag racing
• Dirt track racing
• Ice racing
• Open wheel racing
• Formula racing
• Midget car racing
• Sprint car racing
• Offroad racing
• Pickup truck racing
• Production car racing
• Rally racing
• Rallycross
• Road racing
• Sports car racing
• Stock car racing
• Touring car racing
• Truck racing
• Kart racing
• Lawnmower racing
• Motorcycle racing
• Grand Prix motorcycle racing
• Pocketbike racing
• Production Bike Racing
• Superbike racing
• Track racing
• Flat Track
• Speedway
• Grasstrack (aka Long Track)
• Motocross
• Supercross
• Beachcross
• Supermoto (aka Supermotard)
• All-terrain vehicle
• Snowmobile racing