800 metres


The 800 metres, or 800 meters, is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle-distance running event. The 800 metres is run over two laps of the track and has been an Olympic event since the first games in 1896. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200-metre track, therefore requiring four laps.
The event was derived from the imperial measurement of a half a mile, a traditional English racing distance. Imperial racing distances were common in the United States. American high schools were the last to convert to metric distances in 1980, following the NCAA's conversion in 1976. Countries associated to the English system converted to metric distances after the 1966 Commonwealth Games. 800 m is 4.67 m less than half a mile.
The event combines aerobic endurance with anaerobic conditioning and sprint speed. Both the aerobic and anaerobic systems are being taxed to a high extent, thus the 800-metre athlete is required to combine training between both systems.
Runners in this event are often fast enough to compete in the 400 metres or the 4 × 400 metres relay but only Alberto Juantorena and Jarmila Kratochvílová have won major international titles at 400 m and 800 m. If they are so inclined, 400 m runners are usually encouraged to run the 200 metres while 800 m runners are encouraged to run the 1500 metres or long distance events.

Training

800m runners have training plans that include both speed and endurance work, in order to improve both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, as both of these are used in the race. Almost all 800m athletes' training will be on the track during the outdoor season, and will mostly consist of repetitions of distances between 200m and 1000m. Coaches have varying opinions on training during Winter; some argue the athlete should continue to do 800m training and racing on indoor tracks, whereas others argue that cross-country running is more beneficial as it develops strength and endurance. 800-metre runners tend to include at least one longer run per week in their training schedule, but this may be more depending on their standard. For junior athletes these may be 2–4 miles, however for senior athletes these may be 5–7 miles. Sebastian Coe ran around 60-70 miles per week at his peak, whereas Steve Ovett ran 100–120 miles. It is worth noting that the training of these two athletes was aimed at the 1500m and mile as well as the 800m. The higher an athlete's standard, the more likely they are to do "strength and conditioning" training, which may include weight training, circuit training, or plyometrics.

Race tactics

The 800 m event is also known for its tactical racing techniques. Because the 800 m event is the shortest middle distance event that has all the runners converge on lane one, positioning on the cut-in and the position of the pack is critical to the outcome of the race. It is commonly believed that getting the first or second position early in the race is advantageous as these positions are not usually caught up in the pack. Olympic champions Dave Wottle, Kelly Holmes and others have defied that logic by running a more evenly paced race, lagging behind the pack and kicking past the slowing early leaders. Often the winner of 800 m races at high levels are not determined by the strongest runner but instead by the athlete with the best positioning near the end of the race. This leads to a high probability of an upset. Competitive races tend to put the athletes in different lanes. Sometimes the race will begin on a "waterfall" start, making the starting line much more crowded and making it difficult to have a good start. This is common in youth running, but unlikely anywhere else.
Two common tactics for the 800 metres are running a negative split or a positive split between laps. The positive split is widely considered to be the more effective strategy, but on occasion experienced runners have been known to use a negative split to their advantage. A positive split is achieved by running the first lap faster than the second lap, and a negative split is achieved by the opposite, running the second lap faster than the first. The current world record holder, David Rudisha, runs using a positive split strategy. In his 2012 Olympic race, he ran his first lap in 49.28 seconds and his second lap in 51.63 seconds. Theoretically, an even split is the most effective strategy, but it is nearly impossible to achieve due to the race's length.

Continental records

All-time top 25 middle-distance runners

Men

As of October 2019
RankTimeAthleteNationDateLocationRef
11:40.91David Rudisha9 August 2012London
21:41.11Wilson Kipketer24 August 1997Cologne
31:41.73Sebastian Coe10 June 1981Florence
31:41.73Nijel Amos9 August 2012London
51:41.77Joaquim Cruz26 August 1984Cologne
61:42.05Emmanuel Korir22 July 2018London
71:42.23Abubaker Kaki Khamis4 June 2010Oslo
81:42.28Sammy Koskei26 August 1984Cologne
91:42.34Wilfred Bungei8 September 2002Rieti
91:42.34Donavan Brazier1 October 2019Doha
111:42.37Mohammed Aman6 September 2013Brussels
121:42.47Yuriy Borzakovskiy24 August 2001Brussels
131:42.51Amel Tuka17 July 2015Monaco
141:42.53Timothy Kitum9 August 2012London
141:42.53Pierre-Ambroise Bosse18 July 2014Monaco
161:42.54Ferguson Rotich12 July 2019Monaco
171:42.55André Bucher17 August 2001Zürich
181:42.58Vebjørn Rodal31 July 1996Atlanta
191:42.60Johnny Gray28 August 1985Koblenz
201:42.61Taoufik Makhloufi15 August 2016Rio de Janeiro
211:42.62Patrick Ndururi17 August 2001Zürich
221:42.67Alfred Kirwa Yego6 September 2009Rieti
231:42.69Hezekiél Sepeng3 September 2009Brussels
231:42.69Japheth Kimutai3 September 2009Brussels
251:42.79Frederick Onyancha31 July 1996Atlanta
251:42.79Yusuf Saad Kamel29 July 2008Monaco

Women

RankTimeAthleteNationalityDatePlaceRef
11:53.28Jarmila Kratochvílová26 July 1983Munich
21:53.43Nadezhda Olizarenko27 July 1980Moscow
31:54.01Pamela Jelimo29 August 2008Zürich
41:54.25Caster Semenya30 June 2018Paris
51:54.44Ana Fidelia Quirot9 September 1989Barcelona
61:54.81Olga Mineyeva27 July 1980Moscow
71:54.94Tatyana Kazankina26 July 1976Montreal
81:55.05Doina Melinte1 August 1982Bucharest
91:55.19Maria de Lurdes Mutola17 August 1994Zürich
91:55.19Jolanda Čeplak20 July 2002Heusden-Zolder
111:55.26Sigrun Wodars31 August 1987Rome
121:55.32Christine Wachtel31 August 1987Rome
131:55.42Nikolina Shtereva26 July 1976Rome
141:55.46Tatyana Providokhina27 July 1980Moscow
151:55.47Francine Niyonsaba21 July 2017Monaco
161:55.54Ellen van Langen3 August 1992Barcelona
161:55.54Dong Liu9 August 1993Beijing
181:55.56Lyubov Gurina31 August 1987Rome
191:55.60Elfi Zinn26 July 1976Montreal
201:55.61Ajeé Wilson21 July 2017Monaco
211:55.68Ella Kovacs2 June 1985Bucharest
221:55.69Irina Podyalovskaya22 June 1984Kiev
231:55.74Anita Weiss26 July 1976Montreal
241:55.87Svetlana Masterkova18 June 1999Moscow
251:55.96Lyudmila Veselkova8 September 1982Athens
251:55.96Yekaterina Podkopayeva27 July 1983Leningrad

Non-Legal Marks

World junior records are held by Nijel Amos and Pamela Jelimo. Both marks coincidentally rank them as the third fastest ever.

Olympic medalists

Men

Women

World Championships medalists

Men

Women

World Indoor Championships medalists

Men

Women

Men

Women