What is the bare minimum 200 speed to break 2:00 in the 800?

So I don't think I've ever run faster than 53 (relay split) we all know how reliable those are, and my current 800 PR is 2:00.6x last spring.

I've never run an all out 200 (race) and not sure how reliable that 400 is, probably worth a 54. in an open. Do those performances indicate I have the speed necessary and should focus a bit more on my aerobic ability?

Im not sure but i remember a teenager back when i was young,who ran 200 in around 27 seconds,and did an 800 in around 2.05.Not sure what his 400 best was.I think he also ran a 4.22 1500.

First, it's rare for an 800 runner to have a FAT time for 200 and if they did they'd probably have a lousy start anyway.

So, I'll say the following: I think generally 53 400 speed is the requirement. Yes, it can be done with 54 speed or even more rarely 55, but 53 is a safe bet. A 53/1:59 runner I would expect to see them clocking 25-26s in workouts from time to time (rolling starts)

My best 200 was 26.X

400 60.X

600 1:31

800 2:04

I ran my 800 PR doubling back after an incredibly slow 10k. My teammates ran up to me when I was in my final lap and told me I ran an extra lap and coach wanted me to get off the track. I looked at the finish 100m away and JV kicked it in.

29 point

You are closer than most of the posters. Many college guys run 1:50 with 52 second 400 speed.

I don’t think that’s even remotely normal. I’d guess ~99/100 1:50 guys could split 50.9 in a 4x4.

So to the OP, if your 200 is truly 26.x, don’t expect to break 2 unless you’re also a 4:20 miler. If you don’t have phenomenal endurance, try to improve that max speed as a prerequisite for sub-2.

I'm sorry, but the limit you posted actually does equal 30. Hence, the 800 time would be 2:00 exactly, not sub 2. Try again.

I think I might have run 26.X with a rolling start once in HS. I did 4x4 legs after other events pretty frequently back then and usually split 56.X my senior year. I never ran faster than 2:02 in an open 800, but I split 1:59.X in a 4x8. Our team ran 7:58.XX so I don't think it's too bogus of a split. None of us were super talents, I think one guy might have split a 1:58 high that day but that was it.

I think I split a 55.X my freshman year of college but who knows.

I would say I have pretty average athleticism overall, but an above average engine. So anyway my answer is 26 with a rolling start and you should have a relatively strong aerobic base to compensate.

This is the answer 26 -secs. "Bare minimum" being the operative term.

The norm is 24/25 for a 2:00 flat guy.

I believe you.

Your son has a lot of aerobic strength which could make his 800 time possible. He is an exception though with that 200 speed.

Maybe this is anecdotal, but I knew a lot of guys who I’ve never seen go sub 26 in all out 200’s in practice run under 4:10 in the mile. I’m not sure that any of those guys would’ve been 24.x out of blocks even fresh tbh

Like you can run sub 14 and sub 3:50 for 1500m without ever running a 200 rep under 28

Its limit is 30 but it approaches that from below - after 100 terms it’s 29.99, after 1000 it’s 29.999, etc.
Multiply it by 4 and you get 120 - (4/n) which is equal to 120 - 4 * (1/n). The (1/n) term approaches 0 but never fully hits so it’ll become basically 120 seconds (2:00) but remain slightly under.

(using more precise terminology, and that we know the limit is 120, use an epsilon proof for it. For any E>0, there exists a N such that all n>N mean |120 - 4/n - 120 | < E. So, |-4/n| = |4/n| < E. let n>4/E and this will always be true)

Only if they are like 3:57 milers..... Seriously if you have the endurance to run 3s off your 400m for 800m, the odds of your mile not being better than your 800m is low...

I coached a 2:01 guy who could barely get under 27.

Somewhere there is a 28 second 200m guy who can run 1.59

My best was 28.0 and 4.00 for 1500. I was probably in 2.03 shape then.

Someone with more fatigue resistance than me can do it with 28 200 speed.

Yeah this is about in line with my shorter distance bests. I never trained for or raced the 400/800 & hit just slower in time trials/workouts. I think you can probably come close to 2:00 with a 26. Better shot if you can do it from a standing start.

OP also asked for some 800 sessions. Lots of 800 threads on here the last couple weeks.

Classic stuff: 8 x 200m @ 800 w./ 90s rest, 5 x 300m @ 800 w./ 90s rest, 3-4 x 400m w./ full rest, 600m time trial (multiply by 1.4 for a prediction), ladder stuff- 6/4/3/2/1, healthy dose of strides + hills + short sprints, etc.

29.00

I'd say 25.0 or faster.
I ran an FAT 200m once (as a masters athlete): 26.7, and I never felt like I was close to breaking 2:00.