1000 metres facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Athletics 1000 metres
World records
Men	Noah Ngeny (KEN) 2:11.96 (1999)
Women	Svetlana Masterkova (RUS) 2:28.98 (1996)
Short track world records
Men	Ayanleh Souleiman (DJI) 2:14.20 (2016)
Women	Maria Mutola (MOZ) 2:30.94 (1999)
World junior (U20) records
Men	Niels Laros (NED) 2:14.37 (2024)
Women	Audrey Werro (SUI) 2:34.89 (2023)

The 1000 metres is a running race in track and field. It is also known as the 1 kilometer run or 1K run. This race is a type of middle-distance running event. It is not as common as some other races, but it is still exciting!

To complete a 1000-metre race, runners go around the track a few times. On a standard outdoor track that is 400 metres long, runners do two and a half laps. If the race is held indoors on a smaller 200-metre track, they run five laps.

World Records in the 1000 Metres

This section shows the fastest times ever recorded for the 1000 metres race. These records are set by amazing athletes from all over the world.

Outdoor World Records

These are the fastest times recorded on outdoor tracks.

• Correct as of 8 August 2025. Source: World Athletics

Runners	Time	Athlete	Country	Date	Place
Men	2:11.96	Noah Ngeny	Kenya	5 September 1999	Rieti
Women	2:28.98	Svetlana Masterkova	Russia	23 August 1996	Brussels

Indoor World Records

These are the fastest times recorded on indoor tracks, which are usually 200 metres long.

• Correct as of 8 August 2025. Source: World Athletics

Runners	Time	Athlete	Country	Date	Place
Men	2:14.20	Ayanleh Souleiman	Djibouti	17 February 2016	Stockholm
Women	2:30.94	Maria Mutola	Mozambique	15 February 1999	Stockholm