1968 1500m final, Kip Keino ran 3:34.9 @ 2200 meters!

Ryun's 1500 record was the year *before* the Olympics--otherwise, Keino would have had the WR as well as the gold.

And yes, Ryun's Mexico City run was outstanding, quite possibly the second-greatest 1500 to that point.

dude_is_fast! wrote:

"..Kip Keino, who ran 3:34.9, the equivalent of a 3:42 sea-level mile...Keino's performance has to be considered as the greatest 1500m of all time."

- Lore of Running. Tim Noakes, MD

It should be noted, Jim Ryun did rip a 3:37.8 (3:46 mile at sea level). Not to shabby. He later on went on to break the 1500m record of course. Had he run with proper pacers(like the GP meets of today), 3:29 would have been his for the taking, maybe Keino going sub 3:29.

These are the true kings of the mile, pre-epo days.