In spite of the advancements in track surfaces, shoe tech, and pacing, 3:30 remains an historically significant barrier. Few men have broken it, and fewer still have done so multiple times. Jakob's new European Record got me thinking about how he stacks up against some of the other 1500m greats. Listed below are seven of the fastest 1500m runners in history and some information about their sub 3:30 clockings. Note that the #6, #9, and #10 all-time performers are missing as they have not run under 3:30 enough times to be included here.
Rank/Name/PB
Total sub 3:30 performances in career
Single season sub 3:30 performances
Consecutive sub 3:30 seasons
1. Hicham El Guerrouj 3:26.00
8 of top 10 AT performances
Total: 33 (9 sub 3:28, 5 sub 3:27)
Season: 6
Streak: 9
2. Bernard Lagat 3:26.34
3rd AT performance
Total: 7 (3 sub 3:28, 1 sub 3:27)
Season: 2
Streak: 3*
3. Asbel Kipsang 3:26.69
5th AT performance
Total: 7 (2 sub 3:28, 1 sub 3:27)
Season: 2
Streak: 5
4. Jakob Ingebrigtsen 3:27.14
8th AT performance
Total: 9 (2 sub 3:28)
Season: 3
Streak: 4
5. Noureddine Morceli 3:27.37
Total: 8 (2 sub 3:28)
Season: 3
Streak: 2*
7. Noah Ngeny 3:28.12
Total: 7
Season: 5
Streak: 2
8. Timothy Cheruiyot 3:28.28
Total: 10
Season: 3
Streak: 5*
*Lagat, Morcelli, and Cheruiyot have broken 3:30 for a total of 6 seasons, 4 seasons, and 6 seasons respectively. They are the only men on the list whose sub 3:30 seasons are not all consecutive.
Shot put.