![]() ![]() The next major milestone in the history of the mile came in 1991, when Hicham El Guerrouj of Moracco broke the world record with a time of 3 minutes, 43.13 seconds.įor comparison, 12MPH on the treadmill is a 5 minute mile and that’s the top end speed for a lot of treadmills! AFP PHOTO/GABRIEL BOUYSĮl Guerrouj’s record still stands today, and he is widely considered to be one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time. This group included runners like Jim Ryun, Herb Elliott, and Peter Snell, and their efforts helped to push the limits of what was possible in the sport. By the 1960s, a group of runners known as the “Four Minute Milers” were competing to see who could run the fastest mile. In the years that followed his achievement, the mile record was broken several times. Now the question is will we ever see a sub-three-minute mile? Footwear technology has seen some massive advancements lately, but this is still a feat that’s going to require an experienced runner using science to their advantage. One of the most famous early milestones in the history of the mile was Roger Bannister of the United Kingdom breaking of the four-minute barrier in 1954.īannister’s time of 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds was a significant breakthrough, and his achievement inspired countless runners to attempt to break his record.Īnd it’s what many of us expect to see happen in the marathon thanks to the insane running of Eulid Kipchoge and the sub 2 hour marathon. 1600-meters-Four laps, or a standard mile.Ī mile is 1.6KM or 5280 feet (the elevation of Denver the “Mile High City”).1200-meters-Three laps, or three-quarters of a mile (.75).800-meters-Two laps, also referred to as a half mile.400-meters-A single-lap, also referred to as a quarter mile.(our English friends also call this a furlong) 200-meters-Starting from the curve and going through a straightaway to mark 1/2 a lap.100-meters – The length of each straightaway.This allows the person going for a record to save energy and simply follow the leader, until a point where they peel off. Often times you’ll see people working together as pacesetters. While there are now some 1 mile road races, it is most often raced on a track in small heats.Īll of the fast mile times recorded were done in a track environment. Since we’re talking about running track, let’s make sure we have an accurate concept of this race. Over the years, the record for the fastest mile has been broken many times, and each new record has pushed the limits of human performance and inspired the next generation of runners. Since then, the mile has been a fixture of track and field competitions and has become one of the sport’s most iconic events. The first recorded mile race took place in Oxford, England in 1850, and the first official world record was set by Walter George in 1886 with a time of 4 minutes, 12.75 seconds. It was officially recognized as a race distance in the late 1800s, and by the early 1900s, it had become a staple of track and field competitions around the world. The mile race originated in the 19th century as a way to measure the fitness and endurance of British soldiers. In this article, we’ll explore the evolution of the mile and some of the fastest times ever recorded, including the current world records for men and women. The mile has been a classic distance race in track and field for over a century.įrom its early days as a test of speed and endurance to its current status as one of the most highly anticipated events at major track and field meets, the mile has a rich and storied history. These elite runners remind us not only the value of consistency, mental toughness and smart training, but hope! You’ll see in the mile times that follow the large gaps between improvements and yet, runners have continued to chase that goal. ![]() Whether you’re looking to run your first mile without walking, improve on your overall speed or just find a little bit of extra training motivation I think this should do it! We tend to believe as distance runners that going hard for short races won’t provide any benefits, but we are absolutely wrong! There’s a lot to be said for working on your mile times to improve your pace at every distance. And, as a running coach, I believe that we can all learn a lot from the fastest mile ever ran. These athletes are truly a testament to what is possible with hard work, dedication, and a love for the sport (plus some good genetics thrown in). ![]()
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