I was thinking the other day about the best combined 800 and 1500 times for the world's elite middle distance runners. I knew that Coe and Cram are still the only 2 athletes who have officially run both sub 1:43 for 800 and sub 3:30 for 1500, so I guessed that they would be the top 2, with other athletes known for running both events equally, following.
However, when compiling the list I was struck by how many in the top 10 were predominantly 1500 guys who ran the occasional 800 for speed practice. It also became apparent that 2 in the top 10 have been banned for PED use, while another 5 were competing in the late 90's/early 00's. Of course this may just be a coincidence.
In terms of nationalities, there are 5 Kenyans (no surprise there; although I have included Lagat as a Kenyan rather than a US citizen, purely because he set his fastest time at 1500 while competing for Kenya. Apologies if that upsets my American friends!), 4 Moroccans (2 banned) and 4 Brits.
This list is based PURELY on ACTUAL times set, not on supposed training runs or some perfect fantasy scenario where they all got perfect pacing, NOR on what they should or could have run.
One caveat. I have spent a bit of time cross referencing the usual suspects for inclusion on this list, but I may well have missed someone/s out. This is possibly the case with the Kenyans, as there are so many featured in both lists and their names are often similar. So, it isn't definitive, and if anyone notices a glaring omission, I would be grateful if they let us know.
One last thing before the list. I hope that this thread doesn't denigrate to name calling and abusive language. Most on here can keep it civil, and we all know those who can't.
1. S. Coe (UK) 1:41.73 3:29.77 5:11.50
2. A. Kiprop (KEN) 1:43.15 3:28.88 5:12.03
3. M. Baala (FRA) 1:43.15 3:28.98 5:12.13
4. N. Morceli (ALG) 1:44.79 3:27.37 5:12.16
5. B. Lagat (KEN) 1:46.00 3:26.34 5:12.34
6. S. Cram (UK) 1:42.88 3:29.67 5:12.55
7. N. Ngeny (KEN) 1:44.49 3:28.12 5:12.61
8. A. Laalou * (MOR) 1:43.25 3:29.53 5:12.78
9. H. EL Guerrouj (MOR) 1:47.18 3:26.00 5:13.18
10. R. Ramzi * (BRN/MOR)) 1:44.05 3:29.14 5:13.19
11. S. Aouita (MOR) 1:43.86 3:29.47 5:13.33
12. W. Tanui (KEN) 1:43.37 3:30.58 5:13.95
13. A. Kaki (SUD) 1:42.23 3:31.76 5:13.99
14. S. Kiplagat (KEN) 1:44.8 3:29.27 5:14.07
15. V. Niyongabo (BDI) 1:45.13 3:29.18 5:14.31
16. Y. Saad Kemal (BRD/KEN) 1:42.79 3:31.56 5:14.35
17. T. Makhloufi (ALG) 1:43.71 3:30.80 5:14.51
18. S. Ovett (UK) 1:44.09 3:30.77 5:14.86
19. R. Silva (SPA) 1:44.91 3:30.07 5:14.98
20. A. Wheating (USA) 1:44.56 3:30.90 5:15.46
21. B. Mansoor Ali (BRN) 1:44.02 3:31.49 5:15.51
22. P. Elliott (UK) 1:42.97 3:32.69 5:15.66
* banned for PED use
I went up to NO. 22 due to the 2 in the top 20 being banned for PED use. Personally I don't think they should be on the list, but as I don't run the IAAF and their marks stand (which I disagree with), so I thought it best to leave in.
Another interesting observation is that 6 of the 22 names are of European descent, while 6 are of what I'd describe as N. African/Arabic and the remaining 9 are African. I'm not sure whether Baala is of European descent or north African? Either way, there is a wider spread of background than I would have expected. Which perhaps dismisses the idea that you have to be East African to excel in the middle distances.
I did originally space out the times for easier viewing, but the Preview just seems to lump them all together! Soz about that.