I was reading a book about the progression of world records and noticed that Mark Winzenried was 3rd when Rick Wohlhuter broke the world 880yd record in 1973, and he was also in the race when Seb Coe ran 1:41.73 in Firenze in 1981. this made me think about folk who have appeared in world record races in which they did not themselves set the record, and, ultimately, to wondering who might have done that the most often.
so, since I had nothing else to do this afternoon, in equal third place with 5 appearances in world record races are:
Thomas Wessinghage (FRG), Mathias Ntawulikura (RWA), Mike Boit (KEN), Paul Tergat (KEN)
in 2nd place on his ownsome is Steve Scott (USA) with 6 appearances
and the winner is....
John Walker (NZL) with 8 appearances in world record races, including 4 in the mile.
event / mark / pos / name / date / venue / meet
1500m 3:32.20 1 Filbert Bayi (TAN) 02 Feb 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games WR
1500m 3:32.50 2 John Walker (NZL) 02 Feb 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games
1 mile 3:48.95 1 Sebastian Coe (ENG) 17 Jul 1979 Oslo IAAF Golden Mile WR
1 mile 3:52.85 6 John Walker (NZL) 17 Jul 1979 Oslo IAAF Golden Mile
1000m 2:13.40 1 Sebastian Coe (ENG) 01 Jul 1980 Oslo WR
1000m 2:16.57 3 John Walker (NZL) 01 Jul 1980 Oslo
1500m 3:32.10 1 Steve Ovett (ENG) 15 Jul 1980 Oslo WR
1500m 3:33.31 3 John Walker (NZL) 15 Jul 1980 Oslo
1 mile 3:48.53 1 Sebastian Coe (ENG) 19 Aug 1981 Zürich Weltklasse WR
1 mile 3:50.12 4 John Walker (NZL) 19 Aug 1981 Zürich Weltklasse
1 mile 3:47.33 1 Sebastian Coe (ENG) 28 Aug 1981 Brussels Ivo Van Damme Memorial WR
1 mile 3:52.97 6 John Walker (NZL) 28 Aug 1981 Brussels Ivo Van Damme Memorial
1500m 3:31.24 1 Sydney Maree (USA) 28 Aug 1983 Cologne WR
1500m 3:34.55 3 John Walker (NZL) 28 Aug 1983 Cologne
1 mile 3:46.32 1 Steve Cram (ENG) 27 Jul 1985 Oslo Bislett Games WR
1 mile 3:53.65 6 John Walker (NZL) 27 Jul 1985 Oslo Bislett Games
as ever, additions, corrections and amendments always welcome.
cheers.