What are sports (either individual or team), which involve distance
called? I am looking for a collective term for these kind of sports?

Basically, where the sportsperson (may be robots in near future:)
covers a distance over time against other members simultaneously in a
competition. The sports should include Running (all
distances from 100m to Marathon and ultra marathon etc), team running
(relay races etc), Cycling, Swimming (50m etc).  

The sports SHOULD NOT include,
high jump, pole vault etc, sychronized swimming etc, and motor racing.

Thanks,
RNL

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Clarification of Question by 26_2miles-ga on 05 May 2005 06:15 PDT

Well, let me be more clear about the question and why I am asking.

I am doing some documentation and I am looking for a term in my
documentation, for the sports, where the sportsperson is involved in
one of the sports I mentioned.

As of now, I am using the term "Distance Sports", but I could not find
it any dictionary/google. hmmmmm... If nobody has a term, I proclaim
that I coined the term "Distance Sports".

Are you looking for sprints or sprint racing?

This may be helpful: 

"Sports can be divided into three general types: team and complex
movement-oriented sports (basketball, soccer, tennis, and football);
fitness-oriented sports (distance running, weight lilting, body
building); and technique-oriented sports (discus throwing, gymnastics,
diving, golf, figure skating). Of course, some overlap exists, but the
general categories can help you and the child select the right
sports."

http://www.youthfitness.com/coaches_tips/psychology.cfm

Best regards,
Rainbow

Such a conest wherein someone has to cover a distance over a length of
time sounds to me more like a Race. If you're looking for another
word, I remember doing several of these sports in a Physical Education
subject I took called Circuit Training. So the sports you mentioned
might be called Circuit Sports. Would that be it for you?

I've seen the term "distance sports" before like at this website:

"Slower times in distance sports such as running, cycling, and swimming..."
http://www.footy4kids.co.uk/sports_training_howmuchistoomuch.htm

"Sports" does not have to signify competative events:  skiing is a
sport enjoyed by millions, sailing, jogging, scuba diving, show
riding, etc, etc.
"Distance sports" therefore does not necessarily imply competition
against the clock or other competitors, though it may in the context
of your work.

"Race" is the word, prosaic and familiar as it is, that describes any
kind of competition based on fastest time. Avoiding it in a text
discussing the subject will seem a little odd.  "Distance sports" will
suggest cross country, foot races measured in miles or kilometers,
ocean sailing races(vs class boat events).

Thank you all for your comments.

"Race" seems to be the apt word, which encompasses the activities, I mentioned. 
I think motor racing (I requested it NOT to be in the list), must be
considered as a Race too, since, it involves humans, with the aid of
machines, achieve reaching a distance against time and other
competitors.

I call them "racing sports"

Good luck

Tcarls

I think the correct term is "endurance sports".