800m Runners Don't get Respected as much as other Distance Runners

I didn't join the XC team to hang out with 800m racers. Please quit. All you do is clog up the locker room.

You don´t want to show your skinny distance runner body when you have an athletic 800m runner in the same room.

It’s a filler event. Track has too many events. Throw out 200, 800 and 10k. Right there the other distance events will become more competitive and this will shorten meet duration as well.

I was an 800m runner. I ran 1:52 indoor and 0utdoor for the event. I eventually moved up and ran a 3:45 1500m and a 4:04 Mile. My 800m speed also led to a 29:05 10,000m. I only ran 14:17 for the 5,000m but only ran it once my junior and not at all my senior year, I always moved way up to the 10,000m during championships I probably could have run 13:35 or so. The fact that you are an 800m runner opens up the doors too many events if you have the endurance. Most strict 5,000m and 10,000m guys can't move down and have fun with the shorter stuff but you can!!!

I agree there are too many events.

Get rid of the 200, 400 hurdles, steeplechase and have a 12K XC event in place of the 10,000.

But you need the 800 to bridge the gap between the 400 and 1500 for people that want to move up in distance.

Plus, the 800 is most unpredictable event and runs like a horse race.

Fake news alarm, nothing written there.

en.wikipedia.org

Dave Wottle

David James Wottle (born August 7, 1950) is an American retired middle-distance track athlete. He was the gold medalist in the 800 meter run at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich and a world record holder in the 800 meters. I...

Open link

He was an 800m expert with success in mile too.

But i learned the 'Wottle' taktic, same as Ingebrigtsen does.

Yeah, let's get rid of the 800. IN fact, let's just keep the pole vault, 100 and 1500. All these stupid races, what an idiotic sport.

This old advise came back to me reading your post: "Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not, in fact, just surrounded by assholes."

Using Wikipedia as a source?? Wottle was 12th in cross country nationals in 1971, and a Gold Medalist in 1972.

I still think the 800 is the event that is the most fun to watch in all of track.

400m is too short. 3200m is too long. The mile can be pretty entertaining but it starts slow for the first two laps.

The 800m is balls to the wall and completely unpredictable. There is a reason Wottle's video has millions of hits.

the 800 has not much to do with the 400 nor the 1500. It 100% deserves its spot in championships and mettings. Moreover, it's one of the most entertaining distance, impredictable, short enough to keep observer attention for the full race and quite tactical but without runners sitting to kick.

The only event that should be removed is either the 5k or the 10k. They are almost the same.

800 meter is a lot more fun to watch than the 5k. Don´t even mention the 10k. I might as well watch paint dry.

In the 1980's into the 90's there was this Runners World induced prevailing thought that running fewer miles was better- play soccer and ultimate frisbee!!! Cross train!!!

That, thankfully, died off.

Now, the prevailing school of thought (among Hobby Joggers but even some youngins) is that racing farther is harder. So, we have the fascination with ultras.

That spills even into the "real" runner's world sometimes.

I think MOST competitive runners know that the 800 is the toughest event.

I have a group of friends who are professional obstacle course racers. 3 of them were among the best high school runners I've coached.

They all acknowledge that the 800 is tougher than OCR (more intense albeit for a shorter period of time).

Running fewer miles IS WISER 800m training than Lydiardism. Lydiard philosophy: all runners 800m to Marathon should log 100 plus miles per week scared away potential 400m 800m athletes in u.s. from moving up from 400m to 800m. U.S. won Olympic gold, 800m from 1932 through 1956. All the men were world class 400m men of their era. Snell, Wottle and Ovett. Just three Olympic gold medalists from Lydiard-type 800m men. 1960 through 1980 was a long time ago. Lydiardism is dead for 800m training.

I just quickly scanned men top 800m athletes, all-time. (8 to 10) of top 50 fastest men 800m also have sub-3:35 1500m person best. Zero 800m Olympic gold medal from top 50 all time 800m men who also have sub-3:35 1500m person best. Extra mileage needed to be both sub-1:43.2 800m and sub-3:35 1500m may not increase probability of 800m Olympic gold.

In any case the 800m is the most "open" event. Especially for men, it's often the most unpredictable event at olympics and other big championships and the one with the highest rate of favorites not even reaching the final.

Yes gold medalist in 800m, just read a little bit.

Wow 12th in xc nationals, what a strong argument. lol