On this day Steve Ovett set a new World Record in the Mile with a time of 3:48.8 in 1980. The race made history and took place at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway.
It was the night when seven runners shattered 3 minutes 51 seconds, led by Steve Ovett's winning 3:49.25 and an American record 3:49.68 by Steve Scott, who was third.
It was the best mile the world's ever seen. Steve Ovett was able to out kick 10 rivals on a last lap that saw the first three runners under 3:50 and the next four no more than 12 yards behind. It was a fast early pace; full of tactical maneuvering, and an excitingly competitive last lap that contrasted with the entire top group playing beat the clock and the World Record.
In order, after Ovett, came a fast-closing Jose Luis Gonzales of Spain, at 3:49.67; Scott, who broke Jim Ryun's 13-year-old record of 3:51.1; John Walker of New Zealand, the former outdoor-record holder, 3:50.26; Todd Harbour of the Santa Monica Track Club, who also finished under Ryun's old mark at 3:50.34; Steve Cram, a promising British 20-year-old, 3:50.38; and Thomas Wessinghage of West Germany, 3:50.91.
In eighth place was John Robson of Britain, at 3:52.44. Eamonn Coghlan of Ireland, the king of indoor competition, was ninth, at 3:56.50, a time that normally would have won many miles until this latest sub-3:50 wave.
Watch the footage below! EPIC!
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