Mile run
Athletics Mile run | |
---|---|
![]() Matt Centrowitz and Nick Willis racing for first place in the 2015 Wanamaker Mile. Centrowitz ends up beating Willis by 0.11 seconds, in a time of 3:51.35.[1] | |
World records | |
Men | ![]() |
Women | ![]() |
Short track world records | |
Men | ![]() |
Women | ![]() |
World junior (U20) records | |
Men | ![]() |
Women | ![]() |
The mile run (1,760 yards,[2] 5,280 feet, or exactly 1,609.344 metres) is a middle-distance foot race.
The history of the mile run event began in England, where it was used as a distance for gambling races.[citation needed] It survived track and field's switch to metric distances in the 1900s and retained its popularity, with the chase for the four-minute mile in the 1950s a high point for the race.
In spite of the roughly equivalent 1500 metres race, which is used instead of the mile at the World Championships and Olympic Games and is sometimes referred as the foremost middle-distance track event in athletics, the mile run is present in all fields of athletics, and since 1976, it is the only imperial distance World Athletics has on its books for official world records.[a]
Although the mile is not featured at any major championships, the Wanamaker Mile, Dream Mile, Emsley Carr Mile and Bowerman Mile races are among the foremost annual middle-distance races.
Athletics Road Mile | |
---|---|
![]() 2018 Women's Fifth Avenue Mile. | |
World records | |
Men | ![]() |
Women | ![]() |
The current mile world record holders are Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco with a time of 3:43.13 and Faith Kipyegon of Kenya with the Women's record of 4:07.64.
Despite being only 109.344 metres longer, the mile is distinctly different from its much more common 1500 metres counterpart. World record holder Hicham El Guerrouj considers the mile to be his more challenging event.[3]
“My favourite is 1500m. It’s part of my heart. I competed in it a lot and I know every metre of this race. The mile is completely different. If you are not strong physically and mentally, you cannot run it well.”
— Hicham El Guerrouj
Each lap during El Guerrouj's world record run averaged 55.46 seconds per 400 m.[4] Along with El Guerrouj, only three other men in history have broken the 3:44 barrier in the mile; Noah Ngeny (in the same race as El Guerrouj), Jakob Ingebrigtsen, and Yared Nuguse.[5]
History
[edit]Although a statute mile today is equal to a length of 5,280 feet, the distance of the English mile gained its current definition of 1,760 yards through a statute of the Parliament of England in 1593.[6] Thus, the history of the mile run began in England and it initially found usage within the wagered running contests of the 18th and 19th century. Such contests would attract large numbers of spectators and gamblers – so many that the activity became a professional one for its more-established participants.[7]
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/ArneAndersson%26GunderHagg1942.jpg/220px-ArneAndersson%26GunderHagg1942.jpg)
The mile run was at the heart of the divide between professional and amateur sports in the late 19th century, as running was beginning to gain popularity in the sports world. Separate world record categories were kept for amateurs and professionals, with professional runners providing the faster times. High-profile contests between Britons William Cummings and Walter George brought much publicity to the sport, as did George's races against the American Lon Myers. The mile run was also one of the foremost events at the amateur AAA Championships.[7] Although the spotlight was shining on the running scene, the categories remained distinct but the respective rise in amateurism and decline of the professional sector saw the division become irrelevant in the 20th century.[8]
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Bannister_and_Landy.jpg/170px-Bannister_and_Landy.jpg)
The mile run continued to be a popular distance in spite of the metrication of track and field and athletics in general, replacing the imperial distance for the metric mile (1500 meters). It was the 1500 metres – sometimes referred to as the metric mile – which was featured on the Olympic athletics programme. The International Amateur Athletics Federation formed in 1912 and confirmed the first officially recognised world record in the mile the following year (4:14.4 minutes run by John Paul Jones).[9]
The fact that the mile run was the only imperial distance to retain its official world record status after 1976 reflects its continued popularity in the international (and principally metric) era.[10] Decades later, the distance remains widespread, and is often used as a benchmark for distance running performance.
The top men's middle-distance runners continued to compete in the mile run in the first half of the 1900s – Paavo Nurmi, Jack Lovelock and Sydney Wooderson were all world record holders over the distance.[9] In the 1940s, Swedish runners Gunder Hägg and Arne Andersson pushed times into a new territory, as they set three world records each during their rivalry over the decade.[11]
The goal of completing a sub-four-minute mile sparked further interest in the distance in the 1950s and to this day, many competitive runners are still chasing the ambitious barrier. Englishman Roger Bannister became the first person to achieve the feat in May 1954 and his effort, conducted with the help of Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, was a key moment in the rise of the use of pacemakers at the top level of the sport – an aspect which is now commonplace at non-championship middle and long-distance races.[12][13] In fact, pacemakers, if performing effectively, can earn generous sums of money for their performances and accurate pacing duties.[citation needed]
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Women%27s_Mile_at_the_Adidas_Boost_Boston_Games_in_2019.gif/220px-Women%27s_Mile_at_the_Adidas_Boost_Boston_Games_in_2019.gif)
The 1960s saw American Jim Ryun set world records near the 3:50-minute mark and his achievements popularised interval workout techniques which are still heavily used today, especially for collegiate distance runners.[11] Jim Ryun was the first person to run a sub-four minute mile in high school.[14] From this period onwards, African runners began to emerge, breaking the largely white, Western dominance of the distance; Kenya's Kip Keino won the mile at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games (which was among the last mile races to be held at a major multi-sport event as of 2021).[15]
Filbert Bayi of Tanzania became Africa's first world record holder over the distance in 1975, although New Zealander John Walker further broke Bayi's record a few months later to become the first man under 3:50 minutes for the event. The 1980s were highlighted by the rivalry between British runners Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett, who improved the record five times between them, including two records at the Oslo Dream Mile race. Noureddine Morceli brought the mile record back into African hands in 1993 and Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj set the current record of 3:43.13, which has stood since 1999.[9]
Mile run contests remain a key feature of many annual track and field meetings, including recreational, high school, and collegiate meets.
In the United States, particularly in many high school (NFHS) competitions, the 1600 metres is a substitute for the mile run.
On the professional level, races such as the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games, the Dream Mile at the Bislett Games, the British Emsley Carr Mile, and the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic are among the most prominent. Aside from track races, mile races are also occasionally contested in cross country running, and mile runs on the road include the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City. However, in high school and collegiate cross country running, races are often measured in kilometers, with 5K and 8K being the most common.
In 2019, World Athletics President and former athlete Sebastian Coe organized the World Athletics Heritage Mile Night in Monaco, which brought together eleven mile world record holders, either indoors or outdoors: Ron Delany, Michel Jazy, Jim Ryun, Filbert Bayi, Paola Pigni-Cacchi, John Walker, Eamonn Coghlan, Coe, Steve Cram, Noureddine Morceli, and Hicham El Guerrouj. The event posthumously honored Roger Bannister and Diane Leather Charles, who were the first to break the four minute and five minute mile barriers, for men and women respectively.[16][17]
In February 2025, it was announced that the mile run would be revived at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, replacing the 1500 metres.[18]
On the men's side, the fastest mile run since Hicham El Guerrouj's 3:43.13 in 1999 was Jakob Ingebrigtsen's 3:43.73 at the 2023 Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic & Diamond League Final.
Records
[edit]![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Carlos_ga...jpg/220px-Carlos_ga...jpg)
Outdoor
[edit]Area | Men's | Women's | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Time | Athlete | Time | Athlete | |
World | 3:43.13 | ![]() |
4:07.64 | ![]() |
Continental records | ||||
Africa | 3:43.13 | ![]() |
4:07.64 | ![]() |
Asia | 3:47.97 | ![]() |
4:17.75 | ![]() |
Europe | 3:43.73 | ![]() |
4:12.33 | ![]() |
North, Central America and Caribbean |
3:43.97 | ![]() |
4:16.71 | ![]() |
Oceania | 3:47.48 | ![]() |
4:15.34 | ![]() |
South America | 3:51.05 | ![]() |
4:30.05 | ![]() |
Indoor
[edit]Area | Men's | Women's | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Time | Athlete | Time | Athlete | |
World | 3:46.63 | ![]() |
4:13.31 | ![]() |
Continental records | ||||
Africa | 3:47.01 | ![]() |
4:13.31 | ![]() |
Asia | 3:57.05 | ![]() |
4:24.71 | ![]() |
Europe | 3:48.87 | ![]() |
4:17.14 | ![]() |
North, Central America and Caribbean |
3:46.63 | ![]() |
4:16.85 | ![]() |
Oceania | 3:47.48 | ![]() |
4:24.14 | ![]() |
South America | 3:56.26 | ![]() |
4:42.24 | ![]() |
Road
[edit]Area | Men's | Women's | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Time | Athlete | Time | Athlete | |
World | 3:51.3h | ![]() |
4:20.98 | ![]() |
Continental records | ||||
Africa | 3:53.3h | ![]() |
4:20.98 | ![]() |
Asia | 4:01.26 | ![]() |
4:29.79 | ![]() |
Europe | 3:51.3h | ![]() |
4:29.0h | ![]() |
North, Central America and Caribbean |
3:51.9h | ![]() |
4:25.0h | ![]() |
Oceania | 3:56.57 | ![]() |
4:32.0h | ![]() |
South America | 4:02.75 | ![]() |
none | none |
All-time top 25
[edit]Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 mile times and the top 25 athletes: |
- denotes top performance for athletes in the top 25 mile times |
- denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 mile times, by repeat athletes |
- denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 athletes who fall outside the top 25 mile times |
Men (outdoor)
[edit]Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 3:43.13 | Hicham El Guerrouj | ![]() |
7 July 1999 | Rome | |
2 | 2 | 3:43.40 | Noah Ngeny | ![]() |
7 July 1999 | Rome | |
3 | 3 | 3:43.73 | Jakob Ingebrigtsen | ![]() |
16 September 2023 | Eugene | [21] |
4 | 4 | 3:43.97 | Yared Nuguse | ![]() |
16 September 2023 | Eugene | [21] |
5 | 5 | 3:44.39 | Noureddine Morceli | ![]() |
5 September 1993 | Rieti | |
6 | 3:44.60 | El Guerrouj #2 | 16 July 1998 | Nice | |||
7 | 3:44.90 | El Guerrouj #3 | 4 July 1997 | Oslo | |||
8 | 3:44.95 | El Guerrouj #4 | 29 June 2001 | Rome | |||
9 | 3:45.19 | Morceli #2 | 16 August 1995 | Zürich | |||
6 | 10 | 3:45.34 | Josh Kerr | ![]() |
25 May 2024 | Eugene | [22] |
11 | 3:45.60 | Ingebrigtsen #2 | 25 May 2024 | Eugene | [22] | ||
12 | 3:45.64 | El Guerrouj #5 | 26 August 1997 | Berlin | |||
13 | 3:45.96 | El Guerrouj #6 | 5 August 2000 | London | |||
14 | 3:46.22 | Nuguse #2 | 25 May 2024 | Eugene | [22] | ||
15 | 3:46.24 | El Guerrouj #7 | 28 July 2000 | Oslo | |||
7 | 16 | 3:46.32 | Steve Cram | ![]() |
27 July 1985 | Oslo | |
8 | 17 | 3:46.38 | Daniel Komen | ![]() |
26 August 1997 | Berlin | |
18 | 3:46.46 | Ingebrigtsen #3 | 16 June 2022 | Oslo | [23] | ||
9 | 19 | 3:46.70 | Vénuste Niyongabo | ![]() |
26 August 1997 | Berlin | |
10 | 20 | 3:46.76 | Saïd Aouita | ![]() |
2 July 1987 | Helsinki | |
21 | 3:46.78 | Morceli #3 | 27 August 1993 | Berlin | |||
11 | 22 | 3:46.91 | Alan Webb | ![]() |
21 July 2007 | Brasschaat | |
23 | 3:46.92 | Aouita #2 | 21 August 1985 | Zürich | |||
24 | 3:47.10 | El Guerrouj #8 | 7 August 1999 | London | |||
25 | 3:47.24 | Ingebrigtsen #4 | 21 August 2021 | Eugene | |||
12 | 3:47.28 | Bernard Lagat | ![]() |
29 June 2001 | Rome | ||
13 | 3:47.32 | Ayanleh Souleiman | ![]() |
31 May 2014 | Eugene | [24] | |
14 | 3:47.33 | Sebastian Coe | ![]() |
28 August 1981 | Brussels | ||
15 | 3:47.48 | Oliver Hoare | ![]() |
16 June 2022 | Oslo | [23] | |
16 | 3:47.65 | Laban Rotich | ![]() |
4 July 1997 | Oslo | ||
George Mills | ![]() |
16 September 2023 | Eugene | [21] | |||
18 | 3:47.69 | Steve Scott | ![]() |
7 July 1982 | Oslo | ||
Mario García | ![]() |
16 September 2023 | Eugene | [21] | |||
20 | 3:47.74 | Neil Gourley | ![]() |
25 May 2024 | Eugene | [25] | |
21 | 3:47.79 | José Luis González | ![]() |
27 July 1985 | Oslo | ||
22 | 3:47.83 | Jake Wightman | ![]() |
25 May 2024 | Eugene | [26] | |
23 | 3:47.88 | John Kibowen | ![]() |
4 July 1997 | Oslo | ||
Silas Kiplagat | ![]() |
31 May 2014 | Eugene | ||||
25 | 3:47.94 | William Chirchir | ![]() |
28 July 2000 | Oslo |
Women (outdoor)
[edit]Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 4:07.64 | Faith Kipyegon | ![]() |
21 July 2023 | Monaco | [29] |
2 | 2 | 4:12.33 | Sifan Hassan | ![]() |
12 July 2019 | Monaco | [30] |
3 | 3 | 4:12.56 | Svetlana Masterkova | ![]() |
14 August 1996 | Zürich | |
4 | 4 | 4:14.30 | Genzebe Dibaba | ![]() |
6 September 2016 | Rovereto | |
5 | 4:14.71 | Hassan #2 | 22 July 2018 | London | |||
6 | 4:14.74 | Hassan #3 | 3 September 2021 | Brussels | |||
5 | 7 | 4:14.58 | Ciara Mageean | ![]() |
21 July 2023 | Monaco | [29] |
6 | 8 | 4:14.79 | Freweyni Hailu | ![]() |
21 July 2023 | Monaco | [29] |
7 | 9 | 4:15.24 | Laura Muir | ![]() |
21 July 2023 | Monaco | [31] |
8 | 10 | 4:15.34 | Jessica Hull | ![]() |
21 July 2023 | Monaco | [31] |
9 | 11 | 4:15.61 | Paula Ivan | ![]() |
10 July 1989 | Nice | |
10 | 12 | 4:15.8h | Natalya Artyomova | ![]() |
5 August 1984 | Leningrad | |
13 | 4:16.05 | Dibaba #2 | 6 July 2017 | Lausanne | |||
11 | 14 | 4:16.14 | Gudaf Tsegay | ![]() |
22 July 2018 | London | [32] |
12 | 15 | 4:16.15 | Hellen Obiri | ![]() |
22 July 2018 | London | [32] |
16 | 4:16.15 | Obiri #2 | 9 July 2017 | London | |||
13 | 17 | 4:16.35 | Nikki Hiltz | ![]() |
21 July 2023 | Monaco | [31] |
14 | 18 | 4:16.38 | Melissa Courtney-Bryant | ![]() |
21 July 2023 | Monaco | [31] |
15 | 19 | 4:16.47 | Elise Cranny | ![]() |
21 July 2023 | Monaco | [31] |
16 | 20 | 4:16.71 | Mary Slaney | ![]() |
21 August 1985 | Zürich | |
20 | 4:16.71 | Kipyegon #2 | 11 September 2015 | Brussels | [33] | ||
22 | 4:17.00 | Artyomova #2 | 20 September 1991 | Barcelona | |||
17 | 23 | 4:17.13 | Birke Haylom | ![]() |
15 June 2023 | Oslo | [34] |
18 | 24 | 4:17.25 | Sonia O'Sullivan | ![]() |
22 July 1994 | Oslo | |
19 | 25 | 4:17.30 | Jenny Simpson | ![]() |
22 July 2018 | London | [32] |
20 | 4:17.33 | Maricica Puica | ![]() |
21 August 1985 | Zürich | ||
21 | 4:17.57 | Zola Budd | ![]() |
21 August 1985 | Zürich | ||
22 | 4:17.60 | Laura Weightman | ![]() |
12 July 2019 | Monaco | [35] | |
23 | 4:17.75 | Maryam Yusuf Jamal | ![]() |
14 September 2007 | Brussels | ||
24 | 4:17.87 | Gabriela DeBues-Stafford | ![]() |
12 July 2019 | Monaco | [30] | |
25 | 4:18.11 | Cory McGee | ![]() |
15 June 2023 | Oslo | [34] |
Men (indoor)
[edit]- Correct as of February 2025.[36]
Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 3:46.63 | Yared Nuguse | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | New York City | |
2 | 2 | 3:46.90 | Hobbs Kessler | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | New York City | |
3 | 3 | 3:47.01 | Yomif Kejelcha | ![]() |
3 March 2019 | Boston | [37] |
4 | 3:47.38 | Nuguse #2 | 11 February 2023 | New York City | [38] | ||
4 | 5 | 3:47.48 | Cam Myers | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | New York City | |
5 | 6 | 3:47.56 | Azeddine Habz | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | New York City | |
7 | 3:47.83 | Nuguse #3 | 11 February 2024 | New York City | |||
6 | 8 | 3:48.32 | Ethan Strand | ![]() |
1 February 2025 | Boston | [39] |
7 | 9 | 3:48.45 | Hicham El Guerrouj | ![]() |
12 February 1997 | Ghent | |
10 | 3:48.46 | Kejelcha #2 | 9 February 2019 | New York City | |||
11 | 3:48.66 | Kessler #2 | ![]() |
11 February 2024 | New York City | [40] | |
8 | 12 | 3:48.82 | Gary Martin | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | New York City | |
9 | 13 | 3:48.87 | Josh Kerr | ![]() |
27 February 2022 | Boston | [41] |
10 | 14 | 3:48.93 | George Mills | ![]() |
11 February 2024 | New York City | [40] |
11 | 15 | 3:49.22 | Neil Gourley | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | New York City | |
12 | 16 | 3:49.26 | Andrew Coscoran | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | New York City | |
13 | 17 | 3:49.44 | Edward Cheserek | ![]() |
9 February 2018 | Boston | [42] |
14 | 18 | 3:49.45 | Robert Farken | ![]() |
1 February 2025 | Boston | [39] |
19 | 3:49.46 | Gourley #2 | 11 February 2023 | New York City | [38] | ||
15 | 20 | 3:49.62 | Adam Fogg | ![]() |
11 February 2024 | New York City | [40] |
16 | 21 | 3:49.78 | Eamonn Coghlan | ![]() |
27 February 1983 | East Rutherford | |
22 | 3:49.85 | Fogg #2 | 1 February 2025 | Boston | |||
17 | 23 | 3:49.89 | Bernard Lagat | ![]() |
11 February 2005 | Fayetteville | |
18 | 24 | 3:49.93 | Robert Farken | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | New York City | |
19 | 25 | 3:49.98 | Johnny Gregorek | ![]() |
3 March 2019 | Boston | [37] |
20 | 3:50.17 | Cooper Teare | ![]() |
11 February 2022 | Chicago | [43] | |
21 | 3:50.35 | Cole Hocker | ![]() |
11 February 2022 | Chicago | [43] | |
22 | 3:50.45 | Amos Bartelsmeyer | ![]() |
11 February 2023 | Boston | [44] | |
23 | 3:50.46 | Anass Essayi | ![]() |
11 February 2023 | Boston | ||
24 | 3:50.56 | Vincent Ciattei | ![]() |
2 March 2024 | New York City | [36] |
Women (indoor)
[edit]- Correct as of February 2025.[45]
Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 4:13.31 | Genzebe Dibaba | ![]() |
17 February 2016 | Stockholm | |
2 | 2 | 4:16.16 | Gudaf Tsegay | ![]() |
8 February 2023 | Toruń | [46] |
3 | 3 | 4:16.41 | Elinor Purrier | ![]() |
11 February 2024 | New York City | [47] |
4 | 4:16.85 | Purrier #2 | 8 February 2020 | New York City | |||
4 | 5 | 4:17.14 | Doina Melinte | ![]() |
9 February 1990 | East Rutherford | |
5 | 6 | 4:17.26 | Konstanze Klosterhalfen | ![]() |
8 February 2020 | New York City | [48] |
6 | 7 | 4:17.36 | Freweyni Hailu | ![]() |
30 January 2024 | Ostrava | [49] |
7 | 8 | 4:17.88 | Jemma Reekie | ![]() |
8 February 2020 | New York City | [48] |
8 | 9 | 4:18.75 | Laura Muir | ![]() |
16 February 2019 | Birmingham | [50] |
10 | 4:18.86 | Melinte #2 | 13 February 1988 | East Rutherford | |||
9 | 11 | 4:18.99 | Paula Ivan | ![]() |
10 February 1989 | East Rutherford | |
10 | 12 | 4:19.03 | Jessica Hull | ![]() |
11 February 2024 | New York City | [51] |
13 | 4:19.30 | Purrier #3 | 29 January 2022 | New York City | |||
11 | 14 | 4:19.53 | Hirut Meshesha | ![]() |
30 January 2024 | Ostrava | [52] |
12 | 15 | 4:19.73 | Gabriela DeBues-Stafford | ![]() |
8 February 2020 | New York City | [48] |
13 | 16 | 4:19.89 | Sifan Hassan | ![]() |
11 February 2017 | New York City | |
17 | 4:19.98 | Klosterhalfen #2 | 9 February 2019 | New York City | |||
18 | 4:20.15 | Muir #2 | 11 February 2023 | New York City | |||
14 | 19 | 4:20.30 | Shelby Houlihan | ![]() |
8 February 2025 | Boston | [53] |
15 | 20 | 4:20.5h | Mary Decker-Tabb | ![]() |
19 February 1982 | San Diego | |
16 | 21 | 4:20.61 | Susan Lokayo Ejore | ![]() |
11 February 2024 | New York City | [54] |
17 | 22 | 4:20.81 | Josette Norris | ![]() |
29 January 2022 | New York City | [55] |
18 | 23 | 4:20.83 | Elise Cranny | ![]() |
31 January 2025 | Boston | [56] |
19 | 24 | 4:20.88 | Josette Andrews | ![]() |
11 February 2023 | New York City | |
20 | 25 | 4:21.19 | Katie Snowden | ![]() |
11 February 2023 | New York City | [57] |
21 | 4:21.79 | Regina Jacobs | ![]() |
8 January 2000 | New York City | ||
22 | 4:22.66 | Shannon Rowbury | ![]() |
31 January 2015 | Winston Salem | ||
23 | 4:22.72 | Lucia Stafford | ![]() |
11 February 2023 | New York City | [58] | |
24 | 4:22.86 | Colleen Quigley | ![]() |
9 February 2019 | New York City | [59] | |
25 | 4:22.93 | Kate Grace | ![]() |
11 February 2017 | New York City |
Men (road)
[edit]Note: World Athletics only accepts times achieved on World Athletics certified courses that are conducted according to World Athletics rules. The elevation gradient must not exceed one meter per kilometer.[60] For instance, the famous Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City, or New Zealand's Queen Street Golden Mile,[61] are too steep to be record eligible by World Athletics. Downhill miles such as Craig Wheeler's 3:24 clocking in the 1993 Meltham Mile[62] were achieved on ineligible courses and as such are not recognized by World Athletics. The road mile became an official world record event on 1 September 2023 which is why most performances prior to this date were not previously considered records. The winning times from the 2023 U.S. Road Mile Championships, on 25 April, were ratified by World Athletics as the inaugural road mile world records.[63]
- Correct as of September 2024.
Rank | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 3:51.3h | Elliot Giles | ![]() |
1 September 2024 | Düsseldorf | [64] |
2 | 3:51.9h | Yared Nuguse | ![]() |
1 September 2024 | Düsseldorf | |
3 | 3:53.3h | Edward Cheserek | ![]() |
7 December 2019 | Honolulu | |
4 | 3:54.6h | Emmanuel Wanyonyi | ![]() |
27 April 2024 | Herzogenaurach | |
5 | 3:54.89 | Leonard Kipkemoi Bett | ![]() |
8 December 2018 | Honolulu | |
6 | 3:54.9h | Vincent Kibet Keter | ![]() |
1 September 2024 | Düsseldorf | |
7 | 3:55.0h | Jordan McNamara | ![]() |
21 September 2014 | Lahaina | |
8 | 3:55.6h | Leonel Manzano | ![]() |
24 March 2012 | Austin | |
9 | 3:55.8h | Ben Blankenship | ![]() |
12 May 2016 | Minneapolis | |
10 | 3:56.0h | Graham Hood | ![]() |
13 December 1997 | Honolulu | |
11 | 3:56.13 | Hobbs Kessler | ![]() |
1 October 2023 | Riga | |
12 | 3:56.3h | Brimin Kiprono Kiprotich | ![]() |
7 December 2019 | Honolulu | |
13 | 3:56.40 | Steve Scott | ![]() |
14 July 1984 | Berkeley | |
14 | 3:56.41 | Callum Elson | ![]() |
1 October 2023 | Riga | |
15 | 3:56.43 | Samuel Prakel | ![]() |
1 October 2023 | Riga | |
16 | 3:56.5h | Ryan Mphahlele | ![]() |
27 April 2024 | Herzogenaurach | |
17 | 3:56.57 | Nick Willis | ![]() |
4 August 2013 | Saline | |
Maël Gouyette | ![]() |
1 October 2023 | Riga | |||
19 | 3:56.77 | John Walker | ![]() |
14 July 1984 | Berkeley | |
20 | 3:56.81 | Vincent Ciattei | ![]() |
9 December 2023 | Honolulu | |
21 | 3:56.98 | Kieran Lumb | ![]() |
1 October 2023 | Riga | |
22 | 3:57.0h | Philemon Hanneck | ![]() |
1 February 1998 | Santee | |
Ibrahim Mohamed Aden | ![]() | |||||
Patrick Joseph | ![]() |
7 December 2019 | Honolulu | |||
25 | 3:57.1h | Ulf Högberg | ![]() |
4 July 1975 | London | |
Craig Huffer | ![]() |
7 December 2019 | Honolulu |
Notes
[edit]Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 3:57.0h:[65]
- Edward Cheserek also ran 3:54.83 (2018).
- Hobbs Kessler also ran 3:56.2h (2024).
- Yared Nuguse also ran 3:56.58 (2023).
- Patrick Joseph also ran 3:57.0h (2019).
Women (road)
[edit]Note: World Athletics only accepts times achieved on World Athletics certified courses that are conducted according to World Athletics rules. The elevation gradient must not exceed one meter per kilometer.[60] For instance, the famous Fifth Avenue Mile, or New Zealand's Queen Street Golden Mile,[61] are too steep to be record eligible by World Athletics. Downhill miles are achieved on ineligible courses and as such are not recognized by World Athletics. The road mile became an official world record event on 1 September 2023 which is why performances prior to this date were not previously considered records. The winning times from the 2023 U.S. Road Mile Championships, on 25 April, were ratified by World Athletics as the inaugural road mile world records.[63]
- Correct as of September 2024.
Rank | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4:20.98 | Diribe Welteji | ![]() |
1 October 2023 | Riga | [66] |
2 | 4:22.54 | Mirriam Cherop | ![]() |
8 December 2018 | Honolulu | |
3 | 4:23.06 | Freweyni Hailu | ![]() |
1 October 2023 | Riga | |
4 | 4:24.13 | Faith Kipyegon | ![]() |
1 October 2023 | Riga | |
5 | 4:25.0h | Elle St. Pierre | ![]() |
7 December 2019 | Honolulu | |
6 | 4:25.7h | Shannon Osika | ![]() |
Honolulu | ||
7 | 4:27.0h | Sinclaire Johnson | ![]() |
23 July 2021 | Pittsburgh | |
8 | 4:27.4h | Katrina Coogan | ![]() |
9 December 2017 | Honolulu | |
9 | 4:27.97 | Nikki Hiltz | ![]() |
25 April 2023 | Des Moines | |
10 | 4:28.0h | Leah Pells | ![]() |
13 December 1997 | Honolulu | |
11 | 4:28.00 | Genzebe Dibaba | ![]() |
20 July 2014 | London | |
11 | 4:28.0h | Emily Lipari | ![]() |
22 July 2022 | Pittsburgh | |
13 | 4:29.0h | Maria Akraka | ![]() |
1 February 1998 | Santee | |
14 | 4:29.00 | Morgan Uceny | ![]() |
20 July 2014 | London | |
15 | 4:29.1h | Nicole Sifuentes | ![]() |
10 December 2016 | Honolulu | |
16 | 4:29.79 | Nozomi Tanaka | ![]() |
9 December 2023 | Honolulu | |
17 | 4:30.0h | Suzy Favor Hamilton | ![]() |
1 February 1998 | Santee | |
18 | 4:30.16 | Weini Kelati Frezghi | ![]() |
9 December 2023 | Honolulu | |
19 | 4:30.24 | Susan Lokayo Ejore | ![]() |
9 December 2023 | Honolulu | |
20 | 4:30.30 | Rachel Schneider | ![]() |
21 April 2021 | Des Moines | |
21 | 4:30.3h | Marissa Damink | ![]() |
1 September 2024 | Düsseldorf | |
22 | 4:30.94 | Addison Wiley | ![]() |
25 April 2023 | Des Moines | |
23 | 4:31.0h | Hannah England | ![]() |
26 May 2013 | London | |
Melissa Courtney-Bryant | 26 May 2019 | London | ||||
Sarah McDonald | ||||||
Heather MacLean | ![]() |
22 July 2022 | Pittsburgh | |||
Allie Wilson | ![]() |
22 July 2022 | Pittsburgh | |||
Nelly Chepchirchir | ![]() |
27 April 2024 | Herzogenaurach |
Notes
[edit]Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 4:30.0h:[67]
- Mirriam Cherop also ran 4:24.7h (2017).
- Leah Pells also ran 4:28.0h (1998).
- Nikki Hiltz also ran 4:28.0h (2022), 4:28.07 (2023), and 4:29.7h (2019).
- Sinclaire Johnson also ran 4:28.70 (2023).
- Emily Lipari also ran 4:29.3h (2020).
- Shannon Osika also ran 4:30.0h (2021).
Youth age records
[edit]Key: Incomplete information
Boys
[edit]Age | Time | Athlete | Nation | Birthdate | Date | Place | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | 6:33.3 | Daniel Skandera | ![]() |
2 November 2007 | 23 July 2013 | Santa Rosa | |
6 | 5:44.4 | Daniel Skandera | ![]() |
2 November 2007 | 5 August 2014 | Santa Rosa | |
7 | 5:20.3 | Daniel Skandera | ![]() |
2 November 2007 | 9 June 2015 | Santa Rosa | |
8 | 5:12.1 | Daniel Skandera | ![]() |
2 November 2007 | 9 August 2016 | Santa Rosa | |
9 | 5:02.5 | Daniel Skandera | ![]() |
2 November 2007 | 27 June 2017 | Santa Rosa | |
10 | 4:46.6 | Daniel Skandera | ![]() |
2 November 2007 | 24 July 2018 | Santa Rosa | |
11 | 4:36.04 | Archie Sideridis | ![]() |
18 October 2011 | 9 February 2023 | Melbourne | |
12 | 4:35.66 | Quenton Lanese | ![]() |
4 March 2011 | 20 May 2023 | Mercer Island | |
13 | 4:22.33 | Jackson Miller | ![]() |
11 June 1999 | 1 June 2023 | St. Louis | |
14 | 4:11.20 | Angus Wilkinson | ![]() |
16 January 2009 | 26 August 2023 | Stirling | [68] |
15 | 4:05.77 | Corey Campbell | ![]() |
26 July 2006 | 20 May 2022 | Stirling | [69] |
16 | 3:55.44 | Cameron Myers | ![]() |
9 June 2006 | 23 February 2023 | Melbourne | [70] |
17 | 3:50.15 | Cameron Myers | ![]() |
9 June 2006 | 25 May 2024 | Eugene | [71] |
18 | 3:48.93 | Niels Laros | ![]() |
17 April 2005 | 16 September 2023 | Eugene | [21] |
19 | 3:48.06 | Reynold Cheruiyot | ![]() |
30 July 2004 | 16 September 2023 | Eugene | [21] |
Girls
[edit]Age | Time | Athlete | Nation | Birthdate | Date | Place | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | 6:36.0 | Celine Struijvé | ![]() |
10 November 2012 | 17 September 2019 | Epe | |
7 | 6:05.1 | Kristina Wilson | ![]() |
5 December 1963 | 5 June 1971 | ||
8 | 5:43.5 | Imogen Stewart | ![]() |
27 July 2005 | 10 December 2013 | Sydney | |
9 | 5:18.74 | Imogen Stewart | ![]() |
27 July 2005 | 17 January 2015 | Wollongong | |
10 | 5:04.19 | Imogen Stewart | ![]() |
27 July 2005 | 16 January 2016 | Wollongong | |
11 | 4:56.08 | Imogen Stewart | ![]() |
27 July 2005 | 4 March 2017 | Sydney | |
12 | 4:46.57 | Imogen Stewart | ![]() |
27 July 2005 | 13 January 2018 | Wollongong | |
13 | 4:44.73 | Imogen Stewart | ![]() |
27 July 2005 | 22 December 2018 | Sydney | |
14 | 4:40.1 i | Mary Decker | ![]() |
4 August 1958 | 16 March 1973 | Richmond | |
15 | 4:35.16 | Sadie Engelhardt | ![]() |
21 August 2006 | 9 April 2022 | Arcadia | [72] |
16 | 4:28.25 i | Mary Cain | ![]() |
3 May 1996 | 16 February 2013 | New York City | |
17 | 4:24.11 i | Mary Cain | ![]() |
3 May 1996 | 24 January 2014 | Boston | |
18 | 4:24.10 i | Kalkidan Gezahegne | ![]() |
8 May 1991 | 20 February 2010 | Birmingham | |
19 | 4:17.57 | Zola Budd | ![]() |
26 May 1966 | 21 August 1985 | Zürich |
Season's bests
[edit]
Men[edit]
|
Women[edit]
|
- "i" indicates performance on 200m indoor track
See also
[edit]- 5 Mile - 5 mile run
References
[edit]- ^ "Matt Centrowitz Wins 2015 Wanamaker Mile in Thrilling Stretch Run over Nick Willis at Millrose Games".
- ^ It has always been customary to give horizontal distances in yards and vertical distances in feet.
- ^ "El Guerrouj: "Ingebrigtsen can break my records (but I'd rather he didn't!)"". AW. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ "Pace Calculator". www.calculator.net. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ "One Mile - men - senior - all". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ Mile (unit of measurement). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved on 12 June 2011.
- ^ a b Bryant, John (2005). 3:59.4: The Quest to Break the 4 Minute Mile. Random House. ISBN 9780099469087.
- ^ McMillan, Ken. "Classic weekend notebook: Running for a good cause". Retrieved 14 November 2016.
- ^ a b c 12th IAAF World Championships In Athletics: IAAF Statistics Handbook Archived 29 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine (p. 546, 549–50). IAAF. Retrieved on 12 June 2011.
- ^ World Outdoor Records. IAAF. Retrieved on 12 June 2011.
- ^ a b Mile - Introduction. IAAF. Retrieved on 12 June 2011.
- ^ 1954: Bannister breaks four-minute mile. BBC On This Day. Retrieved on 12 June 2011.
- ^ Butcher, Pat (4 May 2004). Completely off pace. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2011-06-12.
- ^ "Ryun first high schooler to break 4-minute mile". 5 June 1964.
- ^ Commonwealth Games Medallists - Men. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 12 June 2011.
- ^ "Why the mile? 'It is like the marathon, a mystery in athletics' | News | Heritage | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "Bannister and Charles among the honourees at World Athletics Heritage Mile Night celebration | PRESS-RELEASE | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "Glasgow 2026 to have record medal tally and mile race". BBC Sport. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ "One Mile Men Alltime Top List". World Athletics. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ "All-time men's best Mile run". alltime-athletics.com. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Mile Run Results" (PDF). sportresult.com. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ^ a b c "Chebet breaks world 10,000m record, Kerr pips Ingebrigtsen in mile in Eugene". World Athletics. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ a b Jon Mulkeen (16 June 2022). "Ingebrigtsen, Bol and Duplantis in record-breaking form in Oslo". World Athletics. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ "Bowerman Mile Results" (PDF). www.diamondleague-eugene.com. 31 May 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
- ^ "Mile Run Result" (PDF). swisstiming.com. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Mile Run Result" (PDF). swisstiming.com. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "One Mile Women Alltime Top List". World Athletics. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ "All-time women's best Mile run". alltime-athletics.com. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "FLASH: Kipyegon obliterates world mile record with 4:07.64 in Monaco | REPORT | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ a b Mike Rowbottom (12 July 2019). "Hassan breaks world mile record in Monaco with 4:12.33 - IAAF Diamond League". IAAF. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "Mile Run Results" (PDF). sportresult.com. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Mile Run Results" (PDF). sportresult.com. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
- ^ "Mile Run Results" (PDF). sportresult.com. 11 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
- ^ a b Cathal Dennehy (15 June 2023). "Warholm and Ingebrigtsen outstanding in Oslo". World Athletics. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ Mike Rowbottom (12 July 2019). "Hassan breaks world mile record in Monaco with 4:12.33 - IAAF Diamond League". IAAF. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ a b "All-time men's best Mile Run indoor". World Athletics. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Kejelcha breaks world indoor mile record with 3:47.01 in Boston". IAAF. 3 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
- ^ a b Karen Rosen (12 February 2023). "Nuguse breaks North American indoor mile record at Millrose Games". World Athletics. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Nilsen vaults 6.01m in Caen, Strand runs 3:48 mile in Boston | REPORTS | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "Charlton breaks world 60m hurdles record in New York with 7.67 | REPORTS | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "Scantling and Crouser book Belgrade places with world-leading victories at US Indoor Championships". World Athletics. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ "Mile Run Invitational Results". lancertiming.com. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
- ^ a b "DeBues-Stafford breaks North American indoor 5000m record in Boston". World Athletics. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "Deutsches Ass knackt Rekord von 1994". sport1.de (in German). 12 February 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "One Mile - women - senior - indoor". Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ Jess Whittington (8 February 2023). "Tsegay triumphs with No.2 all-time indoor mile in Torun". World Athletics. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Mile Run Result". World Athletics. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ a b c "Purrier smashes North American indoor mile record at Millrose Games". World Athletics. 9 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Czech Indoor Gala Mile women results" (PDF). atletika.cz. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ John Mulkeen (16 February 2019). "Tefera breaks world indoor 1500m record in Birmingham". IAAF. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
- ^ "Mile Run Result". World Athletics. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ "Czech Indoor Gala Mile women results" (PDF). atletika.cz. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Davern, John (8 February 2025). "Shelby Houlihan Delivers All-Time Mile At BU Scarlet and White". FloTrack. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ "Mile Run Result". World Athletics. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Brittany Hambleton (29 January 2022). "Nick Willis extends sub-4 streak to 20 years in the Wanamaker Mile". runningmagazine.ca. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ LetsRun.com (31 January 2025). "2025 BU Terrier Day 1: Olympians Nikki Hiltz, Elise Cranny, & Whittni Morgan Earn Big Wins as Lexy Halladay-Lowry Joins Sub 15 Club". LetsRun.com. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Geoff Jerwood (15 February 2023). "England women's record for Katie Snowden & Surrey League titles for Herne Hill teams". hernehillharriers.org. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ Marley Dickinson (11 February 2023). "Yared Nuguse breaks American indoor mile record at Millrose Games". runningmagazine.ca. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ Rich Sands (10 February 2019). "Millrose Games Women — American 800 Record For Ajee' Wilson". trackandfieldnews.com. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Certified road events".
- ^ a b "The world's fastest mile | SPIKES | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "Maniacs stand out a mile". The Independent. 19 July 1997. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Ratified: world road mile records for Hiltz and Prakel | PRESS-RELEASES | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "1 Mile Road Men".
- ^ "1 Mile Road - men - senior - all". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "1 Mile Road - women - senior - all". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "1 Mile Road - women - senior - all". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Monument Mile – Saturday 26 August". centralathletics.co.uk. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
- ^ "Monument Mile magic as Ben clocks 3:57 and age group Records fall". scottishathletics.org.uk. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ Len Johnson (23 February 2023). "Kerley and local heroes fire up a revived Melbourne". World Athletics. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
- ^ "Mile Run Result" (PDF). swisstiming.com. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Joe Curley. "Records fall after Ventura High freshman Engelhardt runs mile at Arcadia Invitational". eu.vcstar.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
Notes
[edit]- ^ The marathon race is commonly described in both imperial and metric distances. Although it was first run under imperial measurement of 26 miles, it was slightly elongated for the 1904 Summer Olympics in London to reach its current distance, and is now measured in kilometres for official purposes.
External links
[edit]- ^ McMillan, Ken. "Classic weekend notebook: Running for a good cause". recordonline.com. Retrieved 6 June 2016.