Since the beginning of IAAF (back in the early 1900s) there has been a steady progress of records. But it seems that we are having to wait longer and longer for the next world records.
All records in the IAAF era
800m progression men:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_record_progression_800_metres
-The longest standing world record for the 800m was set by Rudolph Harbig of Germany. The record of 1:46.6 lasted for 16 years (1939-55)
- The current world record for the 800m set by Wilson Kipketer of Denmark is nearly 12 years old.
800m progression women
-The longest standing world record for the women's 800m is the current world record set by Jarmila Kratchovilova (153.28 of Czechleslovakia) which is nearly 26 years old.
1500m progression men
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_record_progression_1500_metres
-The longest standing world record for the men's 1500m is the current world record set by El G in 1998 (11 years old)
1500m progression women
-The longest standing world record for the women's 1500m is the current world record set by Qu Yunxia of China in 1993 (almost 16 years old)
Mile progression men
-The longest standing world record for the men's Mile is the current world record set by El G in 1999 (10 years old)
Women's Mile progression
The longest standing world record for the women's Mile is the current world record set by Svetlana Masterkova of Russia in 1996 (almost 13 years old)
3000m progression men
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_record_progression_for_the_Men%27s_3,000_m
The longest standing world record for the men's 3000m is the current world record set by Daniel Komen in 1996 (almost 13 years old)
3000m progression women
The longest standing world record for the women's 3000m is the current world record set by Wang Junxia in 1993 (almost 16 years old)
5000m progression men
-The longest standing world record for the men's 5000m is 10 years between 1912 and 1922 held by Hannes Kolehmainen (FIN)
- The current world record held by Kenny Bekele is already 5 years old.
5000m progression women
-The longest standing world record for the women's 5000m is 9 years between 1986 and 1995 held by Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR)
- The current world record for the women's 5000m is 1 year old
10,000m progression men
-The longest standing world record for the men's 10,000m is 13 years between 1924 and 1937 held by Paavo Nurmi (FIN)
- The current world record held by Kenny Bekele is almost 4 years old.
10,000m progression women
-The longest world record for the women's 10km is the current world record held by Wang Junxia which is almost 16 years old.
3000m SC men's
-The longest record for the men's steeplechase is 11 years old between 1978 and 89 held by Henry Rono
-The current record by Saif Saaeed Shaheen (QAT) is nearly 5 years old
3000m SC women's
-The longest record for the women's SC is 4 years by Gulnara Samitova-Galkina (RUS) 2004-2008
-Gulnara Samitova-Galkina (RUS) is also the current WR holder and her new record is almost 1 year old (set at the Beijing Olympics)
8/14 of the IAAF recognized mid-long distance track events are currently being held for the longest time in history. It seems like we should see a lot of records falling soon (unless we are rapidly approaching our human limitations)
discuss.