tbh - I think there should be more races run at 'non-traditional' distances. When you think about it, all track distances are pretty arbitrary. How about a 4,000m race? Or a five mile race?
I've often thought someone should stage a 5k steeplechase.
If they turned it into an event today, the current WR holder would probably temporarily be some poor rabbit who ran blazing 1200s but got out kicked in every race he ran.
The 137 pound EPO fueled elephant in the room is Asbel Kiprop, who would have been scary at 1200 meters. His 800 PB was “only” 1:43.15, but I think he would have run well into the 1:42s if he’d raced 800s more regularly throughout his prime. He of course also ran 3:26.69 while not being an aerobic monster on the scale of El G and Ingebrigtsen. He’s the last athlete who split sub-1:50 for the first 800 of a 1500 AFAIK.
There’s a world where the 1200 WR is 2:40.4 from Kiprop 2015 that’s incredibly ridiculed in light of his ensuing PED ban.
The video quality is awful but here’s Kiprop running 1:43.15 while going out in like 7th and closing on Rudisha (at least a bit) in the later stages:
If they turned it into an event today, the current WR holder would probably temporarily be some poor rabbit who ran blazing 1200s but got out kicked in every race he ran.
No, as noted in the OP El Guerrouj split 2:44.75 once. There’s no “poor rabbit” toiling in anonymity who’s capable of leading through 1200 in faster than that, and no reason for a rabbit to do so anyway.
The 137 pound EPO fueled elephant in the room is Asbel Kiprop, who would have been scary at 1200 meters. His 800 PB was “only” 1:43.15, but I think he would have run well into the 1:42s if he’d raced 800s more regularly throughout his prime. He of course also ran 3:26.69 while not being an aerobic monster on the scale of El G and Ingebrigtsen. He’s the last athlete who split sub-1:50 for the first 800 of a 1500 AFAIK.
There’s a world where the 1200 WR is 2:40.4 from Kiprop 2015 that’s incredibly ridiculed in light of his ensuing PED ban.
The video quality is awful but here’s Kiprop running 1:43.15 while going out in like 7th and closing on Rudisha (at least a bit) in the later stages:
I've heard people say that Kiprop was likely capable of high 1:41 at some point between 2008 and 2015. The guy was FAST - likely capable of a sub-47 open. Personally, I agree. Even with his EPO usage, you gotta be really damn fast to run 3:26 without being particularly strong aerobically.
WR 800m pace (1:40.91) averages 50.46 seconds per lap.
WR Mile (1609.344m) pace (3:43.13) averages 55.46 seconds per lap. For reference, 1500 WR pace (3:26.00) is 54.93 seconds per lap.
Average 800/mile WR paces together and you get 52.96 seconds per lap which equates to around a 2:39 1200 for the world record. This is just shy of 1K WR pace which is 52.78 seconds per lap, so maybe add 1 second for the WR being 2:40ish (53ish per lap).
The fastest 1200 ever recorded was supposedly by El G, who ran 2:44.75 en route to 3:26.96 in the 1500. However, this could 100% be beaten in a standalone 1200m race.
If the 1200 was an event, my guess for WR holder would be Noah Ngeny. He was a 3:43 miler and a 2:11 1K guy. Just like the 1000, the 1200 would be a middle ground race for 800/1500/mile specialists. The 1000 would tailor to those better at the 800, while the 1200 would tailor to those better at the 1500/mile.
Regarding your first question, one might look at the time below 60 sec per lap for each distance record. The 800 meter record is 19.06 seconds below, and the 1500 meter record is 19.00 seconds. One would expect a 1200 meter record to be around 19 seconds below 60 sec per lap as well, or 2:41. This reasoning also suggests that the 1000 meter record would be around 2:11 if run more frequently.
tbh - I think there should be more races run at 'non-traditional' distances. When you think about it, all track distances are pretty arbitrary. How about a 4,000m race? Or a five mile race?
I've often thought someone should stage a 5k steeplechase.
During a season, runners can only be at peak fitness for a handful of races, and I wouldn’t want them to waste one on some clown race.
tbh - I think there should be more races run at 'non-traditional' distances. When you think about it, all track distances are pretty arbitrary. How about a 4,000m race? Or a five mile race?
I've often thought someone should stage a 5k steeplechase.
During a season, runners can only be at peak fitness for a handful of races, and I wouldn’t want them to waste one on some clown race.
I agree with the 4000m being a cool race idea, where the goal would be sub 10:00, or to average under 60 seconds per lap for 10 laps around the track.
If he cared to, Jakob could 100% break 10:00 for 4000m.
I've heard people say that Kiprop was likely capable of high 1:41 at some point between 2008 and 2015. The guy was FAST - likely capable of a sub-47 open. Personally, I agree. Even with his EPO usage, you gotta be really damn fast to run 3:26 without being particularly strong aerobically.
48-something from lane 1 on a dirt track in Kenya:
During a season, runners can only be at peak fitness for a handful of races, and I wouldn’t want them to waste one on some clown race.
I agree with the 4000m being a cool race idea, where the goal would be sub 10:00, or to average under 60 seconds per lap for 10 laps around the track.
If he cared to, Jakob could 100% break 10:00 for 4000m.
Jakob, or any other elite, would not want to run it, and as a fan, I would consider it to be a waste of fitness and effort. If I was a sponsor, I would never allow my athletes to compete in exhibition races.
If it was scheduled, some locals would show up to run, the winning time would be maybe 11:00, and it would be a good opportunity to visit concessions or take a restroom break. Entertainment wise, it would be similar to a 15 minute drum solo by Alex Van Halen during a concert.
Jakob, or any other elite, would not want to run it, and as a fan, I would consider it to be a waste of fitness and effort. If I was a sponsor, I would never allow my athletes to compete in exhibition races.
If it was scheduled, some locals would show up to run, the winning time would be maybe 11:00, and it would be a good opportunity to visit concessions or take a restroom break. Entertainment wise, it would be similar to a 15 minute drum solo by Alex Van Halen during a concert.
I'd rather Jakob run 3:25, 3:42, or 12:29 than 9:59.
I agree with the 4000m being a cool race idea, where the goal would be sub 10:00, or to average under 60 seconds per lap for 10 laps around the track.
If he cared to, Jakob could 100% break 10:00 for 4000m.
Jakob, or any other elite, would not want to run it, and as a fan, I would consider it to be a waste of fitness and effort. If I was a sponsor, I would never allow my athletes to compete in exhibition races.
If it was scheduled, some locals would show up to run, the winning time would be maybe 11:00, and it would be a good opportunity to visit concessions or take a restroom break. Entertainment wise, it would be similar to a 15 minute drum solo by Alex Van Halen during a concert.
Either you think off-distances are intriguing and cool or you think they’re “clown events,” and never the twain shall meet.
Jakob, or any other elite, would not want to run it, and as a fan, I would consider it to be a waste of fitness and effort. If I was a sponsor, I would never allow my athletes to compete in exhibition races.
If it was scheduled, some locals would show up to run, the winning time would be maybe 11:00, and it would be a good opportunity to visit concessions or take a restroom break. Entertainment wise, it would be similar to a 15 minute drum solo by Alex Van Halen during a concert.
I'd rather Jakob run 3:25, 3:42, or 12:29 than 9:59.
Sure, of course, but 9:59 is easier than any of those (it’s 12:29 pace) and would not preclude him setting records at conventional distances on other occasions.
Jakob, or any other elite, would not want to run it, and as a fan, I would consider it to be a waste of fitness and effort. If I was a sponsor, I would never allow my athletes to compete in exhibition races.
If it was scheduled, some locals would show up to run, the winning time would be maybe 11:00, and it would be a good opportunity to visit concessions or take a restroom break. Entertainment wise, it would be similar to a 15 minute drum solo by Alex Van Halen during a concert.
Either you think off-distances are intriguing and cool or you think they’re “clown events,” and never the twain shall meet.
The difference is that the 2000/2 miles are still recognized by WA. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of or seen a 4000m race other than in XC.