Back to World Records

This page presents the historical progression of world records in discontinued and non-Olympic long-distance events. The records cover a variety of imperial-distance races, obsolete metric distances and endurance disciplines that were officially recognised during different periods of athletics history. Although these events are no longer contested at major international championships or recognised for world record purposes, they represent an important chapter in the evolution of long-distance running and the standardisation of athletics records.

Discontinued Long Distance Events World Records
Men’s events

2 Miles (3218,72 metres)

The 2 miles (3,218.72 metres) is one of the oldest and most prestigious non-metric distance events in athletics. Popular throughout the late 19th and much of the 20th century, it attracted many of the world’s greatest distance runners despite never being included in the Olympic programme.

World record progression began before the establishment of the IAAF, with official ratification starting in 1904. The event has featured legendary record holders including Paavo Nurmi, Gunder Hägg, Ron Clarke, Brendan Foster, Said Aouita, Daniel Komen and Jakob Ingebrigtsen, whose 7:54.10 set in 2023 is the current world record.

Historical Highlights

• Alfred Shrubb became the first officially recognised IAAF world record holder in 1904, ushering in the modern era of record progression. During the 1930s and 1940s, the record passed through the hands of great European champions including Paavo Nurmi, Gunnar Höckert, Taisto Mäki and Gunder Hägg, reflecting the dominance of Nordic distance running.
• The event experienced another golden period from the 1950s to the 1990s, with record-breaking performances by Sándor Iharos, Ron Clarke, Brendan Foster.
• On 1/1/1977 the event was removed from the official record programme by the IAAF.

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
8:13.8	Brendan Foster	GBR	27/8/1973	London	International Match GBR-HUN
8:14.0	Lasse Viren	FIN	14/8/1972	Stockholm	International Meeting
8:17.8	Emiel Puttemans	BEL	21/8/1971	Oslo	Highland Games
8:19.6	Ron Clarke	AUS	24/8/1968	London	International Meeting
8:19.8	Ron Clarke	AUS	27/6/1967	Västerås	International Meeting
8:22.6	Michel Jazy	FRA	23/6/1965	Melun	International Meeting
8:26.4	Bob Schul	USA	29/8/1964	Los Angeles	All Comers Meeting
8:29.6	Michel Jazy	FRA	6/6/1963	Paris	International Meeting
8:30.0	Murray Halberg	NZL	7/7/1961	Jyväskylä	International Meeting
8:32.0	Albert Thomas	AUS	7/8/1958	Dublin	International Meeting
8:33.4	Sándor Iharos,	HUN	30/5/1955	London	British Games
8:40.4	Gaston Reiff	BEL	16/8/1952	Paris	International Meeting
8:42.8	Gunder Hägg	SWE	4/8/1944	Stockholm	National Meeting
8:46.4	Gunder Hägg	SWE	25/6/1944	Östersund	National Meeting
8:47.8	Gunder Hägg	SWE	3/7/1942	Stockholm	National Meeting
8:53.2	Taisto Mäki	FIN	7/7/1939	Helsinki	International Meeting
8:56.0	Miklos Szabó I	HUN	30/9/1937	Budapest	Record attempt
8:57.4	Gunar Höckert	FIN	24/9/1936	Stockholm	International Meeting
8:58.4	Don Lash	USA	13/6/1936	Princeton	Princeton invitational
8;59.6	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	24/7/1931	Helsinki	National Meeting
9:01.4	Elvin Wide	SWE	12/9/1926	Berlin	SCC International
9:09.6	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	11/6/1904	Glascow	Handicap Race	1st WR of the IAAF Era

3 Miles (4,828.04 metres)

The 3 miles (4,828.04 metres) is one of the oldest and most historic distance events in athletics. Widely contested throughout the 19th and much of the 20th century, it was a major championship and international event in Britain and the Commonwealth before gradually being replaced by the 5,000 metres.

World record progression dates back to the 1850s, while official IAAF recognition began in 1903. The event produced world records by many of the greatest distance runners in history, including Paavo Nurmi, Gunder Hägg, Vladimir Kuts, Ron Clarke and Emiel Puttemans. Although no longer recognised as a world record event, the 3 miles remains one of athletics’ most significant discontinued distances.

Historical Highlights

• Alfred Shrubb became the first officially recognised IAAF world record holder in 1903, marking the beginning of the event’s official record progression. During the first half of the twentieth century the record advanced through legendary runners including Jean Bouin, Paavo Nurmi, Taisto Mäki and Gunder Hägg, reflecting the dominance of Finnish and Swedish distance running.
• The 1950s and 1960s saw rapid improvements by Vladimir Kuts, Chris Chataway, Sándor Iharos, Albert Thomas, Murray Halberg and especially Ron Clarke, who lowered the world record three times between 1964 and 1966.
• Emiel Puttemans set the final officially recognised world record of 12:47.8 in Brussels on 20 September 1972. Soon afterwards (1/1/1977) the IAAF discontinued official ratification of the event as international competition became centred on the metric 5,000 metres.

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
12:47.8	Emiel Puttemans	BEL	20/9/1972	Bruxelles	International Meeting	intermediate time during 5000m
12:50.4	Ron Clarke	AUS	5/7/1966	Stockholm	International Meeting	intermediate time during 5000m
12:52.4	Ron Clarke	AUS	10/7/1965	London	AAA Championships
13:00.4	Ron Clarke	AUS	4/6/1965	London	Compton Invitational	intermediate time during 5000m
13:07.4	Ron Clarke	AUS	3/12/1964	Melbourne	International Meeting
13:10.0	Murray Halberg	NZL	25/6/1961	Stockholm	International Meeting
13:10.8	Albert Thomas	AUS	9/7/1958	Dublin	International Meeting
13:14.2	Sándor Iharos,	HUN	23/10/1955	Budapest	Hungarian Championships	intermediate time during 5000m
13:23.2	Chris Chataway	GBR	30/7/1955	London	International Match GBR-FRG
13.26.4	Vladimir Kuts	URS	23/10/1954	Praha	International MAtch TCH-URS	intermediate time during 5000m
13:27.0	Vladimir Kuts	URS	13/10/1954	London	London – Moskva Intercity Match	intermediate time during 5000m
13:27.4	Vladimir Kuts	URS	29/8/1954	Bern	European Championships	intermediate time during 5000m
13:32.2	Chris Chataway	GBR	10/7/1954	London	AAA Championships
13:32.2	“Freddie” Green	GBR	10/7/1954	London	AAA Championships
13:32.4	Gunder Hägg	SWE	20/9/1942	Göteborg	National Meeting	intermediate time during 5000m
13:35.4	Gunder Hägg	SWE	11/9/1942	Stockholm	National Meeting	intermediate time during 5000m
13:42.4	Taisto Mäki	FIN	19/6/1939	Helsinki	International Meeting	intermediate time during 5000m
13:50.6	Lauri Lehtinen	FIN	19/6/1932	Helsinki	Olympic Qualification	intermediate time during 5000m
14:11.2	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	24/8/1923	Stockholm	International Meeting
14:17.6	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	21/5/1903	London	London AC Meeting	1st WR of the IAAF Era

6 Miles (9656.07 Metres)

The 6 miles (9,656.07 metres) was one of the classic long-distance events of the pre-metric era and remained a major international race until the widespread adoption of the 10,000 metres. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries it ranked among the premier endurance events in athletics.

World record progression began before the formation of the IAAF, with official recognition starting in 1904. Many of the greatest distance runners of the twentieth century held the world record, including Alfred Shrubb, Jean Bouin, Paavo Nurmi, Taisto Mäki, Emil Zátopek, Sándor Iharos and Ron Clarke. The event was eventually superseded by the 10,000 metres as the standard international long-distance discipline.

Historical Highlights

• Alfred Shrubb became the first officially recognised IAAF world record holder in 1904, establishing the benchmark for the modern era. Finnish distance runners dominated the event between the 1920s and 1940s, with world records by Paavo Nurmi, Taisto Mäki, Ilmari Salminen and Viljo Heino.
• The record continued to improve during the 1950s through performances by Gordon Pirie, Emil Zátopek, Dave Stephens and Sándor Iharos, reflecting the rapid evolution of long-distance running. Ron Clarke set the final officially recognised world record of 26:47.0 in Oslo on 14 July 1965.
• Soon afterwards the event disappeared from the official record programme (1/1/1977) as the 10,000 metres became the universal championship distance.

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
26:47.0	Ron Clarke	AUS	14/7/1965	Oslo	Bislett Games	intermediate time during 10,000m
27:11.6	“Gerry” Lindgren	USA	27/6/1965	San Diego	AAU Championship
27:11.6	“Billy” M. Mills	USA	27/6/1965	San Diego	AAU Championship
27:17.8	Ron Clarke	AUS	18/12/1963	Melbourne	Emil Zátopek Run	intermediate time during 10,000m
27:43.8	Sándor Iharos	HUN	15/7/1956	Budapest	Hungarian Championships	intermediate time during 10,000m
27:54.0	Dave Stephens	AUS	25/1/1956	Melbourne	Victoria Championships
27:59.2	Emil Zátopek	TCH	1/6/1954	Bruxelles	International Meeting	intermediate time during 10,000m
28:08.4	Emil Zátopek	TCH	1/11/1953	Stara Boreslav	National Meeting	intermediate time during 10,000m
28:19.4	Gordon Pirie	GBR	10/7/1953	London	AAA Championships
28:30.8	Viljo Heino	FIN	1/9/1949	Kouvola	National Meeting	intermediate time during 10,000m
28:38.6	Viljo Heino	FIN	25/8/1944	Helsinki	International Meeting	intermediate time during 10,000m
28:55.6	Taisto Mäki	FIN	17/9/1939	Helsinki	National Meeting	intermediate time during 10,000m
29:08.4	Ilmari Salminen	FIN	18/7/1937	Kouvola	National Meeting	intermediate time during 10,000m
29:36.4	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	9/6/1930	London	Handicap Run
29.59.4	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	5/11/1904	Glascow		Seven official WRs in a 10 miles/1 hour race (6 miles, 10,000m, 7 miles, 8 miles, 9 miles, 10,000 miles, 1 Hour Race)

10 Miles (16,093.60 metres)

The 10 miles (16,093.60 metres) was one of the premier long-distance events of the professional and amateur era before metric races became the international standard. Throughout the late nineteenth and much of the twentieth century it served as one of athletics’ most prestigious endurance records, often run in conjunction with one-hour races.

World record progression began before the formation of the IAAF, with official recognition from 1904. Legendary distance runners including Alfred Shrubb, Paavo Nurmi, Viljo Heino, Emil Zátopek, Ron Clarke, Ron Hill and Haile Gebrselassie all held the world record. The event eliminated from the official record programme since 1/1/1977.

Historical Highlights

• Alfred Shrubb became the first officially recognised world record holder in 1904, establishing the first IAAF-era standard with 50:40.6. Finnish distance legends Paavo Nurmi and Viljo Heino lowered the record during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, before Emil Zátopek broke the 49-minute barrier in 1951.
• During the 1960s the record changed hands several times through Basil Heatley, Mel Batty, Ron Clarke and Ron Hill, reflecting one of the strongest eras in long-distance running.

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
45:57.2	Josephus Hermens	HOL	14/9/1975	Papendal	Record attempt	record attempt for 1 hour race
46:04.2	Willie Polleunis	BEL	20/9/1972	Bruxelles	Record attempt	intermediate time during 1 hour run
46:37.4	Jerome Dayton	CAN	6/9/1970	Toronto	Record attempt
46:44.0	Ronald Hill	GBR	9/11/1968	Leicester	Record attempt
47:02.2	Ronald Hill	GBR	6/4/1968	Leicester	AAA Championships
47:12.8	Ron Clarke	AUS	3/3/1965	Melbourne	Record attempt
47:26.8	Mel Batty	GBR	11/4/1964	London	AAA Championships
47:47.0	Basil Heatley	GBR	15/4/1962	London	AAA Championships
48:12.0	Emil Zátopek	KEN	26/9/1951	Stara Boreslav	Record attempt	intermediate time during 1 hour run
49:22.2	Viljo Heino	FIN	14/9/1946	Helsinki	Record attempt
49:41.6	Viljo Heino	FIN	30/9/1945	Turku	National Meeting	intermediate time during 1 hour run
50:15.0	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	7/10/1928	Berlin	SCC Finns Meeting	intermediate time during 1 hour run
50:40.6	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	5/11/1904	Glascow		Seven official WRs in a 10 miles/1 hour race

20,000 Metres

The 20,000 metres was one of the longest standard track events to receive official world record recognition. Popular throughout the first half of the twentieth century, it was frequently contested in conjunction with one-hour races and other long-distance record attempts, rewarding athletes capable of maintaining a high pace over 50 laps of the track.

Official world record recognition began in the IAAF era, with many of the greatest endurance runners of the twentieth century featuring in its progression. Although World Athletics discontinued official world record status (since 1/11/2019) for the event in 2019, the 20,000 metres remains an important chapter in the history of distance running.

Historical Highlights

• The first officially recognised world record was set by Taavi (“Tatu”) Kolehmainen of Finland in 1913, beginning a progression dominated for decades by Nordic distance runners. Legendary champions including Paavo Nurmi, Viljo Heino, Emil Zátopek, Ron Clarke, Jos Hermens and Haile Gebrselassie all improved the world record, reflecting the event’s close association with one-hour and long-distance track record attempts.
• Portuguese runner Dionísio Castro lowered the record in 1990, before Arturo Barrios and Haile Gebrselassie produced further improvements during the following two decades.
• Belgian distance runner Bashir Abdi set an all-time best of 56:20.02 in Brussels on 4 September 2020, after the event had already lost official world record status.

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
56:26.0	Haile Gebreselasie	ETH	26/7/2007	Ostrava	Golden Spike, IAAF GP Meeting	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
56:55.6	Arturo Barrios	MEX	30/3/1991	La Flèche	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
57:18.4	Dionísio Castro	POR	31/3/1990	La Flèche	Record attempt	over 20Km and 1 hour run
57:24.2	Josephus Hermens	HOL	1/5/1976	Papendal	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
57:31.6	Josephus Hermens	HOL	28/8/1975	Papendal	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
57:44.4	Gaston Roelands	BEL	20/9/1972	Bruxelles	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
58:06.2	Gaston Roelands	BLR	28/10/1966	Louvain	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
59.22.8	Ron Clarke	AUS	27/10/1965	Geelong	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
59:28.6	Bill Baille	NZL	24/8/1963	Auckland	International Meeting	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
59:51.8	Emil Zátopek	TCH	29/9/1951	Stara Boleslav	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 1 Hour run
1:01:15.8	Emil Zátopek	TCH	15/9/1951	Praha	Record attempt, CSSR Army Championships	changed to 1:01:16 in the IAAF progression lists 1913-77 for uknown reasons
1:02.40.0	Viljo Heino	FIN	29/9/1949	Turku	International Meeting
1:03:01.2	András Csaplár	HUN	26/10/1941	Budapest	National Meeting
1:04:00.2	Juan Carlos Zabala	ARG	19/4/1936	München	International Meeting
1:04:38.4	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	3/9/1930	Stockholm	International Meeting
1:06.29.0	Väinö Sipilä	FIN	19/6/1925	Stockholm	International Meeting
1:07.07.2	Ville Kyrönen	FIN	31/8/1924	Hamina		two races within a race (10Km, 20Km)
1:07.11.2	Albin Stenroos	FIN	9/9/1923	Helsinki	International Meeting
1:07.40.2	“Tatu” Kolehmainen	FIN	18/5/1913	Helsinki	National Meeting	older brother of Olympic Champion Johannes Kolehmainen

1 hour run

The one-hour run is one of athletics’ oldest and most prestigious endurance disciplines, measuring the greatest distance covered within exactly 60 minutes. Since the nineteenth century it has served as the ultimate test of sustained pace and endurance, with many of the sport’s greatest distance runners using the event to demonstrate their superiority over extended distances.

Official world record recognition began in the IAAF era in 1904. Although World Athletics removed the one-hour run from its list of official world records in 2019, the event remains one of the classic benchmarks in the history of long-distance running.

Historical Highlights

• The first officially recognised world record was established by Alfred Shrubb, who covered 18,742 metres in Glasgow in 1904 during a remarkable performance that also produced world records at multiple intermediate distances.
• The progression later featured legendary distance runners including Jean Bouin, Paavo Nurmi, Viljo Heino, Emil Zátopek, Ron Clarke, Gaston Roelants, Jos Hermens, Arturo Barrios and Haile Gebrselassie, illustrating the event’s importance across every era of distance running.
• Emil Zátopek became the first athlete to surpass 20 kilometres in one hour, while Ron Clarke and Gaston Roelants continued the rapid progression during the 1960s before Jos Hermens raised the record beyond 20.9 kilometres.
• Ethiopian great Haile Gebrselassie improved the world record to 21,285 metres in 2007, a mark that stood until Mo Farah covered 21,330 metres in Brussels on 4 September 2020, establishing the final world record ratified by the IAAF.

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
21,330 m.	Mohamed “Mo” Farah	GBR	4/9/2020	Bruxelles	World Athletics Diamond League Meeting
21,285	Haile Gebreselasie	ETH	26/7/2007	Ostrava	Golden Spike, IAAF GP Meeting
20,944	Josephus Hermens	HOL	1/5/1976	Papendal	Record attempt
20,907	Josephus Hermens	HOL	28/8/1975	Papendal	Record attempt
20,784	Gaston Roelands	BEL	20/9/1972	Bruxelles	Record attempt
20,684	Gaston Roelands	BEL	28/10/1966	Louvain	Record attempt
20,232	Ron Clarke	AUS	27/10/1965	Geelong	Record attempt
20,190	Bill Baille	NZL	24/8/1963	Auckland	International Meeting
20,052	Emil Zátopek	TCH	29/9/1951	Stara Boleslav	Record attempt
19,558	Emil Zátopek	TCH	15/9/1951	Praha	Record attempt, CSSR Army Championships
19,339	Viljo Heino	FIN	30/9/1945	Turku	National Meeting
19,210	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	7/10/1928	Berlin	SCC Finns Meeting
19,021	Jean Bouin	FRA	6/7/1913	Stockholm	International Meeting
18,742	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	5/11/1904	Glascow		Seven official WRs in a 10 miles/1 hour race

15 miles (24,140.40 metres)

The 15 miles (24,140.40 metres) was one of the classic professional and amateur long-distance events during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Although it was never included in the Olympic programme, it became an important record distance and was frequently contested as an intermediate mark during 25 km, 30 km and longer track races.

Official world record recognition began in the IAAF era in 1902. The event remained part of the official world record programme until the 1970s, when metric distances gradually replaced imperial events in international athletics.

Historical Highlights

• The first officially recognised world record was set by Fred Appleby of Great Britain, who ran 1:20:04.6 in London in 1902, establishing both the 15 miles and 20 km world records during the same race.
• Finnish runners dominated the progression for several decades. Erkki Tamila, Mikko Hietanen and later Pekka Päivärinta and Seppo Nikkari continued Finland’s remarkable tradition in long-distance track running.
• Emil Zátopek twice improved the world record through intermediate times recorded during his historic 30 km and 25 km record performances, highlighting the event’s close relationship with longer track races. The final recognised world record was set by American William Rodgers, who covered the distance in 1:11:43.1 at Saratoga on 21 February 1979.
• The event eliminated from the world record programme in favour of metric distances (since 1/11/1977).

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
1:11:52.6	Pekka Päivärinta	FIN	15/5/1975	Oulu	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 25Km
1:12:22.6	Seppo Nikkari	FIN	14/10/1973	Jyväskylä	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 25Km
1:12:48.2	Ronald Hill	GBR	21/7/1965	Bolton	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 25Km
1:14:01.0	Emil Zátopek	TCH	29/10/1955	Celákovice	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 25Km
1:16:26.4	Emil Zátopek	TCH	26/10/1952	Stara Boleslav		Intermediate time during 25Km, 30Km
1:17.28.6	Mikko Hietanen	FIN	23/5/1948	Kokkola	National Meeting	Intermediate time during 25Km
1:18.48.0	Mikko Hietanen	FIN	20/8/1947	Kuopio		Intermediate time during 25Km
1:19:48.6	Erkki Tamila	FIN	19/8/1937	Joensuu	National Meeting	Intermediate time during 25Km
1:20:04.6	Fred Appleby	GBI	21/7/1902	London (SB)		Intermediate time at 12,5 miles “20 Km” (actually 20,116.82 m)

25,000 metres

The 25,000 metres was one of the longest official track events to carry world record status during the twentieth century. Normally contested as a record attempt rather than a championship event, it was closely linked with 15 miles, 20 km, 30,000 metres and the one-hour run, with many world records established as intermediate times in longer races.

The IAAF officially recognised the event from 1915 until November 2019, when world record status for 20,000 m, 25,000 m and 30,000 m was discontinued as part of the modernization of the official record programme.

Historical Highlights

• Finland dominated the early decades of the event through legendary distance runners Viljo Kämäräinen, Hannes Kolehmainen, Martti Marttelin, Erkki Tamila and Mikko Hietanen, continuing the country’s supremacy in long-distance running during the first half of the twentieth century.
• Emil Zátopek twice improved the world record in 1952 and 1955, while several later records were achieved as intermediate times during record attempts over 30,000 metres, demonstrating the close relationship between the two events.
• During the 1960s and 1970s the progression featured outstanding performances by Ronald Hill, Seppo Nikkari, Pekka Päivärinta and Bill Rodgers, each combining success over multiple long-distance record events. The final official world record was set by Moses Cheruiyot Mosop of Kenya, who reached 25,000 metres in 1:12:25.4 during his historic 30,000 metres world record performance in Eugene on 3 June 2011.
• The event retained official world record status until its removal from the World Athletics record programme in 2019.

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
1:12:25.4h	Moses Cheruiyot Mosop	KEN	3/6/2011	Eugene	Prefontaine Classic	Intermediate time during 30,000m
1:13:55.8	Toshihiko Seko	JPN	22/3/1981	Christchurch	International Meeting	Intermediate time during 30,000m
1:14:11.8	“Bill” Rogers	USA	21/2/1979	Saratoga	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 30,000m.
1:14:11.8	Pekka Päivärinta	FIN	15/5/1975	Oulu	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 30,000m. Also 1:11:52.6 WR -15 miles
1:14.55.6	Seppo Nikari	FIN	14/10/1973	Jyväskylä	Record attempt	Also 1:12:22.6 WR -15 miles
1:15:22.6	Ronald Hill	GBR	21/7/1965	Bolton	Record attempt	Also 1:12:48.2 WR -15 miles
1:16:36.4	Emil Zátopek	TCH	29/10/1955	Celákovice	Record attempt	Also 1:14:01.0 WR -15 miles
1:17:34.0	Albert Ivanov	URS	27/9/1955	Moskva	National Meeting
1:19:11.8	Emil Zátopek	TCH	26/10/1952	Stara Boleslav	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 30,000m.
1:20:14.0	Mikko Hietanen	FIN	23/5/1948	Kokkola	National Meeting
1:21:27.0	Erkki Tamila	FIN	3/9/1939	Joensuu	National Meeting
1:22:28.8	Martti Marttelin	FIN	14/9/1930	Vilpuri	National Meeting
1:23:45.8	Ernst Harper	GBR	25/8/1929	Berlin	Distance runners “Champions” race
1:24:24.0	Martti Marttelin	FIN	16/9/1928	Tampere	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 30,000m.
1:25:20.0	“Hannes” Kolehmainen	FIN	22/6/1922	Tampere	National Meeting
1:26:29.6	“Hannes” Kolehmainen	FIN	10/10/1920	Stockholm	National Meeting

30,000 metres

The 30,000 metres was the longest track event to hold official world record status for much of the twentieth century. Usually contested as a special record attempt rather than a championship race, it served as the ultimate test of endurance on the track and was closely associated with records for 25 km, 20 km and the one-hour run.

The IAAF officially recognised world records for the event from 1915 until November 2019, when the 20,000 m, 25,000 m and 30,000 m records were removed from the official programme, bringing more than a century of record progression to an end.

Historical Highlights

• Finland dominated the early history of the event through Albin Stenroos, Hannes Kolehmainen, Väinö Sipilä, Mikko Hietanen and several other outstanding distance runners who established the country as the leading force in long-distance track racing.
• Emil Zátopek produced one of the most remarkable performances in the event’s history when he broke the world record in 1952, simultaneously setting new global marks for 15 miles and 25,000 metres during the same race. The record was improved again in 1955.
• During the 1960s and 1970s the progression passed through a series of distinguished endurance specialists, including Jim Alder, Tim Johnston, James Hogan and Japanese star Toshihiko Seko, whose 1981 performance stood for three decades.
• The final official world record was established by Moses Cheruiyot Mosop of Kenya, who ran 1:26:47.4 in Eugene on 3 June 2011. His performance also produced a world record at 25,000 metres before the event’s official world record status was discontinued by World Athletics in 2019.

Official World Record Progression

Mark		Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
1:26:47.4		Moses Cheruiyot Mosop	KEN	3/6/2011	Eugene	Prefontaine Classic
1:29:18.8		Toshihiko Seko	JPN	22/3/1981	Christchurch	International Meeting
1:31:30.4		Jim Alder	GBR	5/9/1970	London	International Meeting
1:32:25.4		James J. Hogan	GBR	12/11/1966	Walton-on-Thames	Meeting of the Lauriston Runners Club	WR attempt on the records of Adler and Johnston
1:32:34.6		Tim Johnston	GBR	16/10/1965	Walton-on-Thames	Record attempt
1:34:01.8		Jim Adler	GBR	17/10/1964	Walton-on-Thames	Record attempt
1:34:32.2		Viktor Baykov	URS	22/6/1963	Moskva	Record attempt
1:34:41.2		Aurele Vandendriessche	BEL	3/10/1962	Waregem	Record attempt
1:35:01.0		Albert Ivanov	URS	6/6/1957	Moskva	Record attempt
1:35:03.6		Antii Viskari	FIN	21/10/1956	Lappeentaranta	Record attempt
1:35:23.8		Emil Zátopek	TCH	26/10/1952	Stara Boreslav	Record attempt
1:38:54.0		Yakov Moskachenkov	URS	3/10/1952	Moskva	National Meeting
1:39:14.6		Feodosiy Vanin	URS	1/11/1949	Tbilisi	14 Hr.
1:40:46.4		Mikko Hietanen	FIN	20/6/1948	Jyväskylä	Record attempt
1:40:49.8		Mikko Hietanen	FIN	28/9/1947	Jyväskylä	Record attempt
1:40.57.6		Jose Ribas	ARG	27/5/1932	Buenos Aires	Record attempt
1:42:30.4		Juan Carlos Zabala	ARG	10/10/1931	Wien	Record attempt
1:43:07.8		Väinö Sipilä	FIN	16/9/1928	Tampere	Record attempt
1:46:11.6		Albin Stenroos	FIN	31/8/1924	Vilpuri	International Meeting
1:47:13.4		“Hannes” Kolehmainen	FIN	1/10/1922	Vilpuri		Only the first 5200m and the last 3500m were on track; the remainder was a street run
1:48.06.2		Albin Stenroos	FIN	26/9/1915	Helsinki		2 hour run

4 Miles, 5 Miles, 7 Miles, 8 Miles, 9 Miles, 20 Miles, 25 Miles, 2 Hours

These historical events were recognised for world record purposes during the early decades of international athletics, but were contested only occasionally and never developed into regular championship disciplines. As a result, most have only one or a handful of officially ratified world records. They nevertheless remain an important part of the history of athletics and illustrate the evolution of long-distance and endurance events during the first half of the twentieth century.

4 Miles

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
19:01.0	Volmari Iso-Hollo	FIN	20/7/1933	Vilpuri	National Meeting
19:02.6	Janusz Kusocinski	POL	29/6/1932	Poznan	Record attempt
19:15.6	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	1/10/1924	Vilpuri	Record attempt	Intermediate time during 5 Miles race
19:23.4	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	13/6/1904	Glasgow

5 Miles

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
24:06.2	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	1/10/1924	Vilpuri	Record attempt

7 Miles

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
35:04.6	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	5/11/1904	Glasgow

8 Miles

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
40:16.0	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	5/11/1904	Glasgow

9 Miles

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
45:27.6	Alfred Shrubb	GBI	5/11/1904	Glasgow

20 Miles

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
1:51:54.0	George Crossland	GBI	22/9/1894	Glasgow	Stanford Bridge

25 Miles

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
2:26:10.8	Michele Faneli	ITA	21/10/1934	Roma	Record attempt	During 50 Miles race
2:29:29.8	Harold “Harry” Green	GBI	12/5/1913	London	Stanfrod Bridge	During 50 Miles race

15 Kilometres

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
46:49.6	Paavo Nurmi	FIN	7/10/1928	Berlin
47:18.6	Jean Bouin	FRA	6/7/1913	Stockholm

2 Hours

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
34,435 m	Jose Ribas	ARG	14/9/1935	Buenos Aires
33,653	Ernest Harper	GBR	18/9/1933	Glasgow
33,057	Harold “Harry” Green	GBI	12/5/1913	London

Discontinued Long Distance Events World Records Progression
Women’s events

One-Hour run

The one-hour run was among the classic endurance record events of the twentieth century, rewarding sustained pace rather than finishing position. Before becoming a discontinued world record discipline, it served as an important measure of long-distance ability and was frequently contested in dedicated record attempts or as part of longer races. The progression illustrates the rapid improvement of women’s endurance running from the 1960s through the professional era, culminating in performances approaching 19 kilometres.

Historical Highlights

• Anne O’Brien of Ireland established the first ratified women’s world record in 1965 with 14,141 m, improving it just one week later to 14,438 m. The record advanced steadily through the 1970s as Christa Vahlensieck, Margherita Gargano and Silvana Cruciata pushed the mark beyond 18 kilometres, reflecting the rapid development of women’s long-distance running.
• Tegla Loroupe became the first woman to exceed 18.3 km in one hour in 1998. Although her performance was initially questioned because of alleged pacing assistance by lapped runners, the IAAF later ratified the record after determining that no illegal assistance had occurred.
• Ethiopian runner Dire Tune improved the record to 18,517 m in 2008 before Sifan Hassan produced the final official world record of 18,930 m in Brussels in 2020.

Official World Record Progression

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
18,930 m	Sifan Hassan	NED	4/9/2020	Bruxelles	World Athletics Diamond League Meeting, Van Damme Memorial
18,571	Dire Tune	ETH	12/6/2008	Ostrava	Zlata Tetra Golden Spike
18,340	Tegla Loroupe	KEN	7/8/1998	Borgholzhausen		initially deemed by IAAF to have received illegal pacing assistance by lapped athletes. Subsequently the IAAF determoned that no so much assistance was given and the record was approved (World Athletics, 2024)
18,084	Silvana Cruciata	ITA	2/5/1981	Roma

20,000 metres – 25,000 metres – 30,000 metres

The 20,000 metres, 25,000 metres and 30,000 metres were among the longest track events to receive official World Record recognition. Although never included in the Olympic programme or major international championships, they were occasionally contested in dedicated record attempts and long-distance meetings, particularly during the late twentieth century. World Athletics discontinued official recognition of these records in November 2019, and the progressions are preserved today for historical and statistical purposes.

20,000 metres

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
1:05:26.6	Tegla Loroupe	KEN	3/9/2000	Borgholzhausen
1:06:48.8	Izumi Maki	JPN	19/9/1993	Amagasaki

25,000 metres

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
1:27.05.9	Tegla Loroupe	KEN	6/6/2003	Warstein
1:29:29.2	Karolin Szabo	HUN	22/4/1988	Budapest

30,000 metres

Mark	Athlete	Country	Date	City	Competition	Notes
1:45:50.0	Tegla Loroupe	KEN	6/6/2003	Warstein		in 30,000 metres run
1:47:05.6	Karolin Szabo	HUN	22/4/1988	Budapest		in 30,000 metres run