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Middle distance track events are track races longer than sprints up to (and arguably including) 5000 metres. Biological factors that go primarily into a middle distance racer are developed fast and slow twitch muscles fibers, adrenaline (usually for the final kick), anaerobic respiration (bringing it in after the final kick), racing tactics, and aerobic conditioning. The 1500 m has been estimated to require an equal contribution from fast and slow twitch muscles.

Middle Distance Events:

The standard middle distances are the 800 m, 1500 m, mile (in the US), and the 3000 m (which is viewed by some as more of a long distance event). In the United States, the 3000 m is more common at the high school and collegiate levels (along with the US two mile).

600 m

This middle distance length is rather uncommon, and is mainly run by sprinters wishing to test their endurances at a longer distance. The 600m is also used as an early season stepping stone by 800m runners before they have reached full race fitness. The record at this distance for men is:

For women:

800 m

The 800 m consists of two laps around a standard 400 m 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. Without the benefits of modern training, men of the era were, in contrast, expected to run themselves to complete exhaustion during competitions.

Tactics
In modern 800 m races, runners start from staggered positions on the track and must remain in their respective lanes for the first 100 m of the race. After the first 100 m, competitors may break for the inside, as long as they do not deliberately obstruct or push another competitor. Running all out for this distance is impossible, and tactics are certainly 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 because of the effects of wind resistance. Runners in lane one but not leading the race must also be careful to avoid becoming boxed in by other runners, as this eliminates the crucial ability to completely control one's own pace. Running in last place is also 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. This usually leads to an abnormally slow first 400 m, and allows the runners extra energy for a hard sprint on the second lap. 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. However, the occasional 800-metre runner is able to produce a world-class 800 with even laps, or even a negative split.

Records
800 m runners are often fast enough to run in the 4 x 400 metres 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:

World Record for women:

=Trivia
= In the last 11 Olympic Games, athletes from 10 different countries have won the men's 800 metres title.

1000 m

This distance is not commonly raced, though it is more common than the 500 m event is for sprinters. The record at this distance for men is:

For women:

1200 m

A distance seldom raced on its own, but commonly raced as part of the Distance Medley Relay.

1500 m

Along with the 800 m, this is a premier middle distance race, covering three and three-quarter laps around a standard Olympic-sized track. In recent years the "Metric mile," as it is sometimes called in the United States, has become more of a prolonged sprint, with each lap averaging 55 seconds for the world record performance by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco in 1998 at Rome (two 1:50 s 800 m performances back to back). Thus, speed is necessary, and it seems that the more aerobic conditioning, the better. This is a difficult distance to compete at, mentally, in addition to being one of the more tactical middle distance track events. The distance is often witness to some of the most tactical, physical races in the sport, as many championship races are won in the final few metres.

The record at this distance for men:

For women:

1600 m

At exactly four laps of a normal 400 m track, this distance is primarily raced at the middle/high school levels as a near replacement for the mile (it is in fact about 9 m shorter). The 1500 m, however, is the official distance at the college and international levels and 1600 m runners change to the 1500 m when they go into college or become professionals.

Mile

This length of middle distance race, 1760 yards, (1609.344 metres), is very common in countries that don't use the metric system, and is still often referred to as the "Blue Riband" of the track.

When the International Amateur Athletic Federation decided in 1976 to recognize only world records for metric distances, it made an exception for the mile and records are kept to this day.

Historically, the mile took the place that the 1500 m has today. It is still raced on the world class level, but usually only at select occasions, like the famous Wanamaker Mile held annually at the Millrose Games. The distance can be romantically appreciated as a remnant of the past, but is, of course, still fiercely contested. Running a mile in faster than four minutes is a famously difficult achievement, long thought impossible by the scientific community. The first man to break the four minute barrier was Englishman Roger Bannister in 1954. The term "miler" is sometimes also applied to a 1500 m runner. The record at this distance for men is:

For women:

2000 m

  • Another event that is rarely run, a miler's speed will generally allow him or her to prevail at this distance over less balanced challengers. The record at this distance for men is:

For women:

3000 m

  • Truly on the borderline between middle and longer distances, the 3000 m(7.5 laps)is a standard race in the United States, though it is not raced at the outdoor IAAF World Championships. This race requires decent speed, but a lack of natural quickness can be made up for with superior aerobic conditioning and supporting race tactics. The record at this distance for men is:

For women:

See also

Middle distance race | Events in athletics

Mittelstreckenlauf | Atletismo velocidad | Sprint | 中距離走 | Sprintløp | Bieg średniodystansowy | Спринт | 短跑

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Middle distance track event".

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