Kipkurgat 1'43.8 in '74 - epic gun-to-taper !

Whatever happened to him? Did he do anything after that of note?

The American TV announcers should watch these videos and learn how to announce a race- that British guy is great.

runn wrote:

The American TV announcers should watch these videos and learn how to announce a race- that British guy is great.

The Brits always do a great job announcing. David Coleman was great back in the day.

Nice to see Walker in rare 800m footage, decent showing for a strength 1500 guy.

What is interesting to me is that Kipkurgat's splits were 51/51. ESPECIALLY considering this:

1 1:13.2 John Kipkurgat KEN 16.03.44 1 Pointe-a-Pierre 23.03.1974

2 1:14.5 Wilson Kipketer DEN 12.12.70 1 Zürich 13.08.1997

3 1:14.6 Wilson Kipketer DEN 12.12.70 1 Köln 24.08.1997

4 1:15.0 Sebastian Coe GBR 29.09.56 1 Firenze 10.06.1981

5 1:15.1 Norberto Téllez CUB 22.01.72 2 Zürich 13.08.1997

This is STILL the fastest 600 split in an 800 race EVER, and no one seems to know his final result, which is over 1:50, for a final 200m of at least 37 seconds, after going out in at least 48 seconds....in 1974! Talk a bout a "rig" up!

At some point they mention Hooker... of Australia... and yes, it's Steve Hooker's dad!

'74 CG's were one of the most fascinating championships of all time.

I think the 1974 Commonwealth Games the best ever in terms of middle distance performances.

Look at the stands - they are full.

I remember getting T and F news and reading about this event - a 9th grader new to running yet somewhat good - 9:24 for two miles back then - and saying this is what I want to do above any other sport.

This is not a maudlin look at the old days. Would it be that we had the same kind of excitement and interest in 2010.

According to my folmula thats a 1:32.76 final 800m time in a perfect race.

Bayi and Walker's 1500 was more impressive, IMO.

What Else wrote:

Bayi and Walker's 1500 was more impressive, IMO.

Noteworthy 800 because Bayi was an the upswing, expected to go after the 1500 WR at some point after a spate of fast paced races, and John Walker, basically an unknown, running 1:44 then coming back and getting second to Bayi in that great 1500 final.

John Kipkurgat retired from the Kenya Army, did a few races and settled down to farm in Kaptilol Village Nandi South (about 6o km NE of Kisumu) in Western Kenya. The top of his home (house) may be found on Google Maps/Earth at 0.03' 08.00" N, 35.00'27.00" E. He raised beef and dairy cows on his small 'shamba' (stamp sized farms common in Kenya)but passed on around 2005 or 2006. His nephew, Amos Korir, ran for Allegheny and Villanova Colleges in the late 70s & early 80s. He and at least one brother are now running High Altitude Coaching Camps (8000+ ft above sea level) on the Western Wall of the Rift Valley near Eldoret

Cosmas Ronno wrote:

John Kipkurgat retired from the Kenya Army, did a few races and settled down to farm in Kaptilol Village Nandi South (about 6o km NE of Kisumu) in Western Kenya. The top of his home (house) may be found on Google Maps/Earth at 0.03' 08.00" N, 35.00'27.00" E. He raised beef and dairy cows on his small 'shamba' (stamp sized farms common in Kenya)but passed on around 2005 or 2006. His nephew, Amos Korir, ran for Allegheny and Villanova Colleges in the late 70s & early 80s. He and at least one brother are now running High Altitude Coaching Camps (8000+ ft above sea level) on the Western Wall of the Rift Valley near Eldoret

Pre-Commonwealth warm-up meet @ Ashburton Domain (300 meter cricket boundary = round/no straights) Kipkurgat ran 2:19 flat when WR was 2:16 flat.

The good ol' days of grass tracks.

Here's his best 800 times:

01:43.9 Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1 Christchurch 29 1 1974

01:44.4 Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1s1 Christchurch 27 1 1974

1:45.2A Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1 Nairobi 29 9 1973

01:45.3 Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 2 Durham 19 7 1975

01:45.7 Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1 Kisumu 8 12 1973

1:45.9A Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1 El Paso 22 5 1976

as noted in the comments - Steve Hooker's father placed 6th in this race.

ventolin^4 wrote:

According to my folmula thats a 1:32.76 final 800m time in a perfect race.

Wrong. You forgot to factor in the bright sun which makes it hard to see. That brings it down to 1:31.42

rotgen wrote:

Here's his best 800 times:

01:43.9 Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1 Christchurch 29 1 1974

01:44.4 Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1s1 Christchurch 27 1 1974

1:45.2A Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1 Nairobi 29 9 1973

01:45.3 Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 2 Durham 19 7 1975

01:45.7 Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1 Kisumu 8 12 1973

1:45.9A Kipkurgat, John KEN 16.03.44 1 El Paso 22 5 1976

Late bloomer. Note his birthdate 16th March 1944.

well none of these runner had reached their peak.

better shoes, Mondo track, and rabbit (not wabbit) on windless day 1:41.xx