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800 m is a common track running event. It is the short common middle distance. The 800 meters is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. It was included in the first women's track programme in 1928, but suspended until 1960 because of shock at the exhaustion it caused the competitors. By contrast, without today's training regimes, male competitors of the day were expected to run themselves to exhaustion in competition.

The race is widely considered to be the most difficult mental challenge in track and field. It requires both sprinting speed as well as the physical endurance to last two laps, and thus combines the most challenging aspects of both into a single race. The most similar races to the 800 m are substantially different experiences, with the 400 m being a sprint with almost nonstop speed, while the 1500 m (or 1600/mile) is a more tactical distance event.

Tactics

In a modern competition, the first 100 m is run in lanes, after which competitors may break for the inside without deliberately obstructing or pushing another competitor. Running flat out for this distance is impossible and tactics can be a factor in reaching the finish line first. Running in the lead is often considered a disadvantage as trailing runners can choose when to accelerate past the leader, and the effect of wind resistance. Runners not in first place on the inside can find themselves boxed if other runners start to overtake them. Running in last place is not recommended as there may be too much ground to make up when the final sprint for the finish starts.

In top class races, the lane start usually ensures a brisk pace for the first 200 m. Occasionally, no one will be happy to lead and the field will bunch for the remainder of the first lap leaving a sprint on the second lap. This favors the sprint type 800 m runner. More often, one runner will ensure a fast first lap and the winner will be the one who slows least on the second lap, despite the appearance of sprinting at the finish. This favors the endurance or distance type 800 m runner. However, the occasional 800-meter runner is able to produce a world-class 800 with even laps, or even negative splits.

Records

800 m runners are often fast enough to run in the 4x400 m relay but only Alberto Juantorena and Jarmila Kratochvilova have won major international titles at 400 m and 800 m. Competing successfully at 800 m and 1500 m is more common.

World Record for men:

• Wilson Kipketer 1:41.11 Köln 24 August 1997

World Record for women:

• Jarmila Kratochvílová 1:53.28 München 26 July 1983

Top ten All time athletes on the 800 meters - men

Updated by June 10th, 2005

Top ten All time athletes on the 800 meters - women

Updated by June 10th, 2005

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