The Best Olympic Distance Performers Ever

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 3 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #1,319 in Sports, #36,117 overall

The 25 Best, Based Solely on Olympic Performances

This is a list of the top 25 Olympic distance performers ever. Except I've only nailed down the top 24...I need your help to choose the final person!

Each athlete in this list had a remarkable career. But that's not what this list is about. This list is about what these athletes did in the Olympic Games. Period. So Haile Gebrselassie, who set 25 world records in his career, gets zero bonus points for them. He didn't run them on the Olympic oval.

Read on to learn about the top 24. Then tell me what you think of the rankings and don't forget to cast your vote for #25!

Updates!

I've revamped the lens and made a lot of changes based on Beijing results and reader feedback. We've got:

New rankings!
New polls!
New debate!

Check it out and tell me what you think!

The Top Five Reasons This Lens is So Important 

  1. This list single-handedly boosts the morale of the Finnish people
  2. This list includes two great American athletes you've probably never heard of before
  3. This list includes the only multi-use nickname in distance running history, "The Flying Finn" (Amazingly, every good Finnish runner in history has used this nickname. It's the equivalent to their #10 jersey.)
  4. Where else can you find 6 Ethiopians, 5 Finns, 3 Americans, 2 Moroccans, a Czech, a New Zealander, a Kenyan, a Frenchman, a Brit, a Tunisian, a Ukrainian, and an Australian all on the same list?
  5. I know what you're saying: "Just one Kenyan?" Yep. Just one.

How to Determine the Best? 

Here are some basic guidelines. If you disagree, please leave a comment!

This list came about after I read an article by David Powell on the Top 50 Olympic Athletes in track and field. His guidelines (which I have adopted) were as follows:

-- You must not be connected with doping

-- You must have won a gold medal

-- Recent Olympics are weighted heavier than older ones (due to the great increase in the number of competitors)

-- Discontinued events can still be considered

-- World and Olympic Records add weight

-- The circumstances or social impact of the event should affect the rankings (adding our much needed subjectivity!)

Here's the link to the original article:

1. Paavo Nurmi (Finland) 

Gold: 10,000m, 1920, 1928; 1,500m, 1924; 5,000m, 1924; cross country, 1920, 1924; cross country team, 1920, 1924; 3,000m team race, 1924
Silver: 5,000m, 1920, 1928; 3,000m steeplechase, 1928

Like Carl Lewis, Paavo Nurmi won nine Olympic gold medals. Nurmi, though, is the only athlete to win five golds in one Games, which he achieved in 1924, and he holds the record for number of medals won (12). It is said that in 1924, denied the ability to run the 10,000 meters by the Finnish authorities, Nurmi ran the race on the practice track and finished 40 seconds faster than Ritola's winning time!

Known as the "Flying Finn", he revolutionised distance running with his hard training methods. Declared a professional by the IAAF, by a 13-12 vote, he was banned from the 1932 Olympics.

2. Emil Zatopek (Czech Republic) 

Gold: 10,000m, 1948, 1952; 5,000m, 1952; marathon, 1952
Silver: 5,000m, 1948

A story almost too good to be true, but true it is. Emil "The Locomotive" Zatopek was born on the same day as his wife, Dana, on September 19, 1922, and the couple won Olympic gold medals on the same day, July 24, 1952. Emil had won the 5,000 meters and, following the presentation ceremony, Dana put his medal in her bag for good luck in the javelin, throwing an Olympic record in the first round. Three days later, Emil ran his first marathon, winning the fourth Olympic gold of his career and becoming the first athlete to triumph in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters and marathon at one Games.

Emil Zatopek on Squidoo! 

Learn more about The Gutsiest Runner Ever

featured lens Emil Zatopek

Emil Zatopek redefined distance running. The Czech runner's brutal interval workouts and strategic approach to racing helped him to win four Olympic gold medals, including three (5k, 10k, and marathon) at the 1952 Helsinki Games. He set 18 world reco...

3. Lasse Viren (Finland) 

Gold: 5,000m, 1972, 1976; 10,000m, 1972, 1976

As if doing the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters double twice was not enough, Lasse Viren wrote his place in Olympic history in dramatic fashion. During his first final, the 10,000 meters in 1972, he stumbled and fell just before halfway but got up to win in a world record time.

After repeating in the double in 1976, he attempted to duplicate Emil Zatopek's feat in 1952 by entering the marathon. It was his first marathon ever, and he finished fifth in 2:13:10!

Lasse Viren wins gold in 1972 (Video) 

curated content from YouTube

4. Ville Ritola (Finland) 

Gold: 10,000m, 1924; 3,000m steeplechase, 1924; cross country team race, 1924; 3,000m team race, 1924; 5,000m, 1928
Silver: 5,000m, 1924; cross country, 1924; 10,000m, 1928

Ville Ritola was never going to win an Olympic medal for each of his siblings - he was the 14th of 20 children - but he did collect five golds and three silvers. In eight races in eight days in 1924, he won the steeplechase in his first go at the event, the 10,000 metres with a world record, and team golds at 3,000 metres and cross country. Beaten by his fellow Finn, Paavo Nurmi, in the 5,000 metres and individual cross country in 1924, and again at 10,000 metres in 1928, he got the better of his rival at 5,000 metres in 1928.

Quick Poll: should the success in multiple events by runners long ago be discounted? 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

5. Abebe Bikila (Ethiopia) 

Gold: marathon, 1960, 1964

In a tale of triumph before tragedy, Abebe Bikila won the 1960 Olympic marathon in a world record time as a barefoot outsider, and became the first man to retain the title in 1964, but was paralyzed in a car accident five years later. Suffering a broken neck and spinal cord injury, Bikila died of a brain hemorrhage in 1973, aged 41.

Barefoot Runner: The Life of Marathon Champion Abebe Bikila 

by Paul Rambali

Barefoot Runner: The Life of Marathon Champion Abebe Bikila

Barefoot Runner: The Life of Marathon Champion Abebe Bikila

by: Paul Rambali

Amazon Price: $17.00 (as of 11/20/2009)Buy Now
Used Price: $2.94

I loved it - this book had a much more interesting story, and better style, than almost any other sports book that I have ever read. --Footling

6. Peter Snell (New Zealand) 

Gold: 800m, 1960, 1964; 1,500m, 1964

The surprise winner of the Olympic 800 meters in 1960, Peter Snell won the 800 meters and 1500 meters in 1964 by handsome margins. He set Olympic Records in both his 800 meter races, and won his 1500 meter gold in 1964 by a wide margin. Prior to Tokyo, Snell had never run a 1500 meters race, although he was the reigning world record holder over the mile.

Now, Snell is a scientist studying exercise physiology in Dallas, Texas, and he is trying to prove that his legendary coach Arthur Lydiard's training methods have a scientific basis.

7. Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) 

Gold: 10,000m, 2004, 2008; 5,000m, 2008
Silver: 5,000m, 2004

The fastest long distance runner in history, Kenenisa "The Lion" Bekele won the 10,000 meters in Athens in 2004, and finished second to Hicham El Guerrouj in a battle in the 5,000 meters. He then followed that up with Olympic Record victories in both the 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters in Beijing in 2008, clocking 27:01.17 and 12:57.82.

If Kenenisa can continue to run at the level he's competed at for another four years, he may have a chance to become the Greatest Olympic Distance Performer Ever. But we'll have to wait four years to find out!

Kenenisa Bekele on Squidoo! 

Learn more about The Fastest Distance Runner Ever

featured lens Kenenisa Bekele

Kenenisa Bekele is the current world record holder for 5,000 and 10,000 meters. He is the four time reigning world champion and two time reigning Olympic champion at 10,000 meters. He is also the five time short (4k) and six time long (12k) course wi...

Kenenisa Bekele wins gold in 2004 (Video) 

curated content from YouTube

8. Jim Lightbody (United States) 

Gold: 1,500m, 1904, 1906; 800m, 1904; steeplechase, 1904
Silver: team relay, 1904; 800m, 1906

James Lightbody's place in Olympic history depends on one's view of whether the interim Games of 1906 should be included. This ranking list does, at a slight discount. In 1904, having won the 800 meters and steeplechase, Lightbody set a world best at 1500 meters before records became official in 1912.

9. Kip Keino (Kenya) 

Gold: 1,500m, 1968; steeplechase, 1972
Silver: 1,500m, 1972; 5,000m, 1968

The father of the Kenyan running tradition, Kip Keino won the 1968 1500 meters in remarkable circumstances. Suffering a gall bladder infection, causing severe stomach pains, Keino defied medical advice not to run. Up with the leaders two laps from home in the 10,000 meters, he collapsed onto the infield in pain. Although disqualified, he went on to finish. Four days later, he placed second in the 5000 meters then, caught in traffic traveling to the 1500 meters final, he jogged the last mile to the stadium.

Kip Keino wins gold in 1968 (Video) 

curated content from YouTube

10. Sebastian Coe (United Kingdom) 

Gold: 1,500m, 1980, 1984
Silver: 800m, 1980, 1984

Sebastian Coe's rivalry with Steve Ovett brought unprecedented hype for the middle distance events. In 1980, Coe was the favorite to win the 800 meters, but was beaten by his fellow Briton, while Ovett was favorite for the 1500 meters, but was defeated by Coe. Four years later, Coe became the first man to retain the 1500 meters title, having again finished runner-up at 800 meters, this time to Joaquim Cruz, of Brazil.

He is currently heading up London's efforts in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, and looking for ways to touch the lives of more youth with track and field.

Sebastian Coe wins gold in 1984 (Video) 

curated content from YouTube

The Perfect Distance -- Ovett and Coe: The Record-Breaking Rivalry 

by Pat Butcher

The Perfect Distance - Ovett and Coe: The Record-Breaking Rivalry

The Perfect Distance - Ovett and Coe: The Record-Breaking Rivalry

by: Pat Butcher

Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 11/20/2009)Buy Now

This was a very enjoyable book about the great Ovett/Coe rivalry. The book delves into the roots/family influences of the two very talented middle distance runners including Ovett's very influential mother and Coe's father and coach. The author captures the excitement of breaking world records, running in the Olympic games and the expectations associated with being athletes at thier prime. Two very different personalities are contrasted both in their private and public impressions. A fascinating read. --Bookworm

11. Hannes Kohlemainen (Finland) 

Gold: 5,000m, 10,000m, cross country, 1912; marathon, 1920
Silver: team cross country, 1912

The first in the line of great Finnish distance runners, Hannes Kolehmainen recorded the first sub 15 minute run for 5,000 metres at the 1912 Olympics. He obliterated the world record with 14min 36.6sec yet was pegged to within a tenth of a second by Jean Bouin, of France. But Kolehmainen won the 10,000 metres by 46 seconds. At the 1920 Games, he broke the marathon world record by three and a half minutes, recording a time of 2hr 32min 35.8sec.

Quick Poll: Who was the "flyest" of the Flying Finns? 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

12. Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco) 

Gold: 1,500m, 5,000m, 2004
Silver, 1,500m, 2000

In danger of becoming the greatest middle distance runner never to win an Olympic gold medal, "The King of the Mile" Hicham El Guerrouj made glorious amends at Athens 2004, winning the 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters. Thus he became the first man since Paavo Nurmi, 80 years earlier, to succeed in that double. Prior to Athens, El Guerrouj had won 84 of his 89 races at 1,500 meters or a mile since 1996, At Atlanta 1996, he tripped and fell in the final, finishing 12th. At Sydney 2000, he placed second to Kenya's Noah Ngeny.

Hicham El Guerrouj on Squidoo! 

Learn more about The King of the Mile

featured lens Hicham El Guerrouj

Hicham El Guerrouj is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (1500m, 5000m), a four-time outdoor World Champion in the 1500m, and a three-time indoor World Champion (1500m, 3000m). He currently holds five world records in the 1500m (3:26.00, 3:31.18i), the...

El Guerrouj wins gold in 2004 (Video) 

curated content from YouTube

13. Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia) 

Gold: 10,000m, 1996, 2000

In the context of his overall career - his 2:03:59 marathon world record was his 26th world record - Haile "The Emperor" Gebrselassie's two Olympic gold medals for 10,000 meters seem almost trivial. Yet his two close races with Kenyan Paul Tergat were epics, especially the 2000 final in which Gebrselassie prevailed by nine-hundredths of a second, a closer margin of victory than the 100 meter race!

Haile finished 5th in the 10,000 meters in Athens, and then 6th in his fourth Olympic 10,000 meters in Beijing, running 27:06.68, a time that would have been the Olympic Record in his first Olympics 12 years earlier!

Haile Gebrselassie on Squidoo! 

Learn more about The Greatest Distance Runner Ever

featured lens Haile Gebrselassie

Haile "The Emperor" Gebrselassie was born April 18, 1973 in Asella, Arsi Province, Ethiopia. He stands 5 feet 5 inches tall (1.65 meters) and weighs 123 pounds (56 kg). Oh yeah, he's set 26 world records, too. Haile currently lives and trains in Addi...

The Greatest: The Haile Gebrselassie Story 

by Jim Denison

The Greatest: The Haile Gebrselassie Story

The Greatest: The Haile Gebrselassie Story

by: Jim Denison

Amazon Price: $11.97 (as of 11/20/2009)Buy Now
Used Price: $6.00

This book is great tribute to Haile Gebreselassie. I thought that this book was well pieced together and it gives a good introduction to who he is and what he stands for. It would be nice if Haile could have been the author himself. Honestly, this book inspired me through a summer of great training and once you start reading you don't want to put the book down. --Sports Freak

14. Derartu Tulu (Ethiopia) 

Gold: 10,000m, 1992, 2000
Bronze: 10,000m, 2004

Derartu Tulu was the first Ethiopian and first sub-Saharan African to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games. She won the 10,000 meters in Barcelona. Eight years later she again competed in the Olympic Games in Sydney, again winning gold at 10,000 meters with a blazing finishing kick. Four years later she competed in her third Olympics and took the bronze medal.

Derartu is from the same village as Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba, who is also her cousin.

15. Mel Sheppard (United States) 

Gold: 800m, 1,500m, 1908; medley relay, 1908; 4x400m, 1912

The athlete of the 1908 Olympics - even if it is a Games remembered mainly for Dorando Pietri's dramatic collapse in the marathon - Mel Sheppard did the 800 and 1,500 metres double and anchored the US to gold in the medley relay. This from a man who had been rejected by the New York police on the grounds of a weak heart.

Quick Poll: Did you know who Jim Lightbody and Mel Sheppard were? 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

16. Volmari Iso-Hollo (Finland) 

Gold: steeplechase, 1932, 1936
Silver: 10,000m, 1932
Bronze: 10,000m, 1936

Volmari Iso-Hollo retained his Olympic steeplechase title in 1936 with a world record - running a minute and a half slower than in 1932 when the athletes ran one too many laps.

17. Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) 

Gold: 5,000m, 10,000m, 2008
Bronze: 5,000m, 2004

Tirunesh "Baby-faced Destroyer" Dibaba joined this list after her dominant performance at the Beijing Olympic games in 2008. Having already earned a bronze medal in the 5,000 meters at the age of 19 in Athens, she entered Beijing as the favorite. She won her first race, the 10,000 meters, in an Olympic record time, and then utilized her superior kick to win a very slow 5,000 meter race. Her performance made her the first woman to accomplish the distance double.

18. Alain Mimoun (France) 

Gold: marathon, 1956
Silver: 10,000m, 1948, 1952; 5,000m, 1952

For eight years, Alain Mimoun was the second best distance runner in the world. And he had the silver medals to show for it. But finally, sick of the sight of Emil Zatopek's back - he was runner-up to the Czech in three Olympic track finals - Alain Mimoun got the better of him to win the 1956 Olympic marathon.

19. Miruts Yifter (Ethiopia) 

Gold: 5,000m, 10,000m, 1980
Bronze: 10,000m, 1972

Yifter won bronze in the 1972 Olympics, but had to wait eight years to win his two golds in 1980 due to his country's boycott of the 1976 games. He was the third man ever to win the distance double, and only one man has done it since: his countryman Kenenisa Bekele. Yifter's finishing kick was so sudden he earned the nickname "Yifter the Shifter".

20. Mohammed Gammoudi (Tunisia) 

Gold: 5,000m, 1968
Silver: 10,000m, 1964; 5,000m, 1972
Bronze: 10,000m, 1968

Gammoudi won medals in three different Olympics, but only won gold at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Gammoudi took silver in two famous races for Americans, the 1964 10,000 meters where Billy Mills surprised everyone as well as the 1972 5,000 meters where Lasse Viren won, and Steve Prefontaine finished fourth.

Quick Poll: Which Beijing competitor will be next to crack this list? 

Think it'll be someone else? Tell me in the comments below!

Loading poll. Please Wait...

21. Herb Elliott (Australia) 

Gold: 1,500m, 1960 (WR)

He ran in only one Olympics, by choice. Going undefeated in his career at 1500m and above, he won gold at the 1960 Olympics in a world record time of 3:35.6. He retired shortly after, feeling he had accomplished everything he could in track. We will never know how many medals he could have won had he chosen to continue running.

Herb Elliott wins gold in 1960 (Video) 

curated content from YouTube

22. Said Aouita (Morocco) 

Gold: 5,000m, 1984
Bronze: 800m, 1988

Said Aouita was the most dominant distance runner of the 1980s, running world leading times in all races from the 800 meters to the 5,000 meters. He won the 5,000 meters in the 1984 Olympics, and amazingly attempted to win the 800 meters four years later in Seoul, but finished third.

23. Vladimir Kuts (Soviet Union/Ukraine) 

Gold: 5,000m, 10,000m, 1956

Kutz always led from the start, and he did just that to win the 10,000 meters over rival Gordon Pirie in the 1956 Olympics. Days later he won the 5,000 meters easily to accomplish the impressive 5k-10k double.

24. Frank Shorter (United States) 

Gold: marathon, 1972
Silver: marathon, 1976

One of the best American marathoners ever, Shorter won the 1972 Olympic marathon and finished 5th in the 10,000 meters that same year. He finished second to surprise winner Waldemar Cierpinski in 1976, but it is widely believed that, like many of his East German counterparts, Cierpinski used performance enhancing drugs.

Quick Poll: Which group is most under-represented in this list? 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

First, what do you think of the top 24? 

Speak now or forever hold your peace...

I'd love to know your opinions. If you make a great argument, I may even change the lens!

What do you think of the top 24?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Damn good. Not much I'd change. Except maybe...

dani says:

add bernard lagat and steve prefontaine up there.

Posted March 20, 2009

dani says:

we need to put bernar lagat on there.

Posted March 20, 2009

emily says:

Steve Prefontaine

Posted November 02, 2008

buraian says:

Well, I made the list, so I wouldn't change it. But I will say I tried hard to find more women for the list, but they just weren't quite there. That said, I think I could be swayed to replace Aouita, Kuts, and Shorter with other athletes. If you want to make the case, I'm all ears.

Thanks for stopping by the lens and sharing your comments.

Posted August 31, 2008

It's a travesty. Here's what you need to do to save it...

PREFONTAIN says:

Not very good, lots of great runners, but not the greatest. Lost of them only won a medal or two, not enough to make a top al time list.

Posted February 06, 2009

 

Second, who should get the #25 spot? 

I found out that non-members can't vote in the previous list. I had no idea. Well, now everyone can vote here! So check out the profiles using the links if you need to, and then tell me who you think should be ranked #25. I'll create the profile once we've reached 50 votes!

Remember, you can only pick one person so choose carefully! (And if you feel the need for a write-in vote, just post a comment below!)

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Write-in votes here! (Or just tell me what you think of the lens...!) 

submit
  • Reply
    Della Della Oct 12, 2009 @ 3:41 am
    Early days yet but I think both Sammy Wanjiru of Kenya and Turunesh Dibaba should be on the list
  • Reply
    Rory Rory Sep 3, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
    I did'nt complete the list for the 25th athlete as my choice for that spot wasn't even on the list. My nominee is Ronnie Delaney from Ireland who won 1500m gold at Melbourne in 1956. Coming from a country with no appreciable track running pedigree, it was indeed a fine achievement.
  • Reply
    buraian buraian Sep 1, 2008 @ 11:02 am
    Roque Miguel,
    Great points. I agree that Holmes has the edge on Masterkova, but I'm not yet convinced she's #25.
    Tergat is such a tough case. The third best distance runner ever runs two great 10ks but gets nipped twice. Sileshi Sihine may be destined to that outcome as well.
    Good on you for calling out Gabriela Szabo's accomplishments, too. I've included her as an option in the poll!
    And finally, thanks for the YouTube!
  • Reply
    Roque Miguel Roque Miguel Aug 31, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
    1) I had the fortune to see Kelly Holmes live (e.g. in the stadium) in one of her 2004 Olympic golds and she ran great controlled races. And the bronze from 2000 places her just above Svetlana Masterkova. So, she should be #25.
    2) Instinctually, I'd like to include Paul Tergat, but I'd agree with your formulation that probably credits golds more than silvers.
    3) Gabriella Szabo might be an interesting one to consider given her medals in three consecutive Olympic 5000m races, including gold in Sydney 2000 in an Olympic record by 19 seconds! She also beat Gete Wami and Sonia O'Sullivan (long live the Irish) in the process. Some YouTube for you:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuRxwoCcWFo
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jRAahMAM5A
  • Reply
    buraian buraian Aug 31, 2008 @ 3:53 pm
    Hi Galgo,

    Thanks for reminding me about Carlos Lopes! What a great runner...he probably does belong on this list.

    I've included his name in the "Who else should be on this list?" poll and if people vote for him, I'll include him!

    buraian
  • Load More
Show All

Optimal Training 

Develop the mindset of a champion

You can also read my feature articles at The Runner's Tribe!

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Other great distance running lenses by buraian 

Because the world needs to know!

Check out even more great lenses at my lensography!
featured lens Ryan Hall

Ryan has had success on the track, but he owns the roads. He is the American Record holder for the half-marathon (59:43), he ran the fastest debut marathon in US history (2:08:24), he won the US Olympic Marathon Trials and ran 2:06:17 in London! In B...

featured lens Kara Goucher

Kara Goucher is one of America's best distance runners competing today. She won the bronze medal at the World Championships in the 10k in 2007, ran the fastest half marathon by an American woman (1:06:57) and is on the all-time US top-10 list for 3k,...

featured lens Galen Rupp

Galen Rupp is arguably the best young distance runner in the US today. He set high school or US junior records from the 2000m to the 10,000m. And though he is still a student at the University of Oregon, Galen has participated in the World Championsh...

featured lens German Fernandez

German Fernandez is arguably the best high school runner ever. He demolished the CIF state meet record in cross country (14:24 for 5k), won the USA Junior Cross Country championships (24:18 for 8k), ran the best distance double in high school history...

featured lens Shalane Flanagan

Shalane Flanagan is the American Record holder for the indoor 3,000 meters, the indoor and outdoor 5,000 meters, and the 10,000 meters. She has won five national cross country championships and five national championships on the track, including her...

Even more great distance running lenses by buraian 

Because the world needs to know about these, too!

featured lens Jordan Hasay

Jordan Hasay is a two-time Footlocker Champion, a two-time Junior Cross Country Champion, a three-time CA state champion for 3200m, an Olympic Trials finalist in the 1500m, and the holder of numerous age-group records in track and field. She has run...

featured lens Steve Prefontaine

Steve "Pre" Prefontaine was born on January 25, 1951. He died on May 30, 1975. In those 24 years, he became a legend. He won seven NCAA titles, set eight American records at distances ranging from 2,000 meters to 10,000 meters, and inspired a running...

featured lens Lauren Fleshman

Lauren Fleshman is one of the best American 5,000 meter runners ever. She won three straight NCAA championships over 5,000 meters, setting US Junior and NCAA Records in the process. She won the 2006 US Outdoor Championships 5,000 meter title and is c...

featured lens The Best American Marathoners Ever

America has had its share of great marathoners. But there hasn't really been a clear way of determining where they rank. I set out to answer that question, and this lens shows my results. It's a dynamic list, though, and with every performance by pre...

featured lens Abubaker Kaki Khamis

Abubaker Kaki Khamis is a Sudanese 800 meter runner who recently broke the Junior World Record by running 1:42.69 in Oslo, Norway. He is an Indoor World Champion, the 5th fastest 800 meter runner indoors, and the 13th fastest 800 meter runner outdoor...

by buraian

Hey.  I'm buraian.  I used to be a competitive distance runner.  Now, I still run, but mostly blog about running.  Check out my le...

(more)

Explore related pages

Hicham El Guerrouj
Hicham El Guerrouj is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (1500m, 5000m), a four-ti...
Haile Gebrselassie
Haile "The Emperor" Gebrselassie was born April 18, 1973 in Asella, Arsi Provinc...
Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele is the current world record holder for 5,000 and 10,000 meters....
Emil Zatopek
Emil Zatopek redefined distance running. The Czech runner's brutal interval work...
The Best American Marathoners Ever
America has had its share of great marathoners. But there hasn't really been a c...
The Complete Lens of Running Books
If you're a runner, chances are you're a reader, too. And if you're a runner and...

Related Topics

buraian Recommends...

Create a Lens!