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List of world records in athletics facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
100 m final Berlin 2009
Usain Bolt beating Tyson Gay and setting a 100 m world record at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics in Berlin
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1986-0608-300, Jürgen Schult
Jürgen Schult beside the indication of his new discus world record, 1986

World records in athletics are ratified by World Athletics. Athletics records comprise the best performances in the sports of track and field, road running and racewalking.

Records are kept for all events contested at the Olympic Games and some others. Unofficial records for some other events are kept by track and field statisticians. The only non-metric track distance for which official records are kept is the mile run.

Criteria

The criteria which must be satisfied for ratification of a world record are defined by World Athletics in Part III of the Competition Rules. These criteria also apply to national or other restricted records and also to performances submitted as qualifying marks for eligibility to compete in major events such as the Olympic Games.

The criteria include:

Rudisha 800m final London 2012
David Rudisha en route to his 800 m world record at the 2012 Summer Olympics
  • The dimensions of the track and equipment used must conform to standards. In road events, the course must be accurately measured, by a certified measurer.
  • Except in road events (road running and race walking), the performance must be set in a single-sex race, with the sole exception of the mixed-sex 4 × 400 m relay, introduced by World Athletics in 2017.
  • All team members in a relay race must be of the same nationality.
  • Pacemakers are allowed, provided they have not been lapped; lapped athletes must give way.
  • Drug testing immediately after the performance is now required for ratification of a record. Existing records which predate this requirement are still extant. Athletes who pass the immediate test but are later found to have been using banned substances have their performances invalidated.
  • In running events up to 200 m in distance and in horizontal jump events, wind assistance is permitted only up to 2.0 m/s. In decathlon or heptathlon, average wind assistance of less than 2.0 m/s is required across all applicable disciplines; and maximum of 4.0 m/s in any one event. As an exception, according to rule 36.2, specific event organizers may choose to ignore wind velocity readings exclusively for their specific event records (e.g. a performance in a 100 m race at a meeting with a wind reading of +2.4 m/s may be considered that specific meeting record, but will not be considered as a world record).
  • In running events up to 800 m in distance, photo finish fully automatic timing is required.
  • There is no restriction on altitude; since the thinner atmosphere of higher altitude provides less air resistance, locations such as Mexico City and Sestriere have previously been the sites of records in the sprint and jump events. See effects of high altitude on humans. Records set at high altitude venues are often marked with an "A" though that does not disqualify it as a record. Under those circumstances, a "sea level" best is also tracked by statisticians. Long-distance races run at altitude, with less oxygen available to the athlete, have been shown to be to the athlete's disadvantage.
  • In road events, the course is not required to be a circuit, but the overall decrease in elevation between the start and finish shall not exceed 1:1000, i.e. 1 m/km.
  • In road events, the start and finish points of a course, measured along a theoretical straight line between them, shall not be further apart than 50% of the race distance.

Bonus payments

Witnessing a world record brings great pleasure for athletics fans, and athletes' personal sponsors and promoters of major meetings such as the Diamond League and its predecessor, the IAAF Golden League have offered bonuses to athletes breaking a record.

Some middle-distance runners have specialized in acting as pacemakers in longer races, receiving a fee without even finishing the race, and possibly a bonus if a record results. This is a useful occupation for athletes who are capable of running accurately to a specified pace, but not capable of the fastest times to become champions in their own right.

In the pole vault record bonuses create an incentive for an athlete capable of beating a record by a large margin to instead break it by the minimum amount (one centimetre), multiple times, at multiple meetings, in order to accumulate multiple bonuses. This has been done by Sergey Bubka and more recently Armand Duplantis in the men's pole vault, and Yelena Isinbayeva in the women's pole vault. Some commentators have complained that neither athlete ever posted as high a mark as they were capable of. In most other disciplines, this issue does not arise, since it is practically impossible to deliberately break a record by a small margin.

World records

McLaughlin-Levrone at 2022 World Athletics Championships
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone being greeted with a "World records are my favorite food" sign at the 2022 World Athletics Championships

World Athletics (then IAAF) commenced the recognition of world records in 1912, and indoor world records after 1987. In 2000, IAAF rule 260.18a (formerly 260.6a) was amended, so that "world records" (as opposed to "indoor world records") can be set in a facility "with or without roof". This rule was not applied retroactively, and has, thus far, only affected the men's and women's pole vault, women's 2,000 m and women's triple jump. The women's vault record has been advanced 9 times indoors by three different women, each ratified as a world record. The last record to be set indoors was in 2004. Sergey Bubka's 1993 pole vault world indoor record of 6.15 m was not considered to be a world record, because it was set before the new rule came into effect. Bubka's world record of 6.14 m, set outdoors in 1994, was surpassed by five consecutive records set indoors, most recently by Armand Duplantis in 2023 with a 6.22 m mark. In 2020, Duplantis surpassed Bubka's outdoor world best (the old 6.14 m record), with a 6.15 m vault and continued to improve the world record after.

As new events are advanced to world record status, World Athletics might delay declaring initial performances as the official world record until sufficient athletes have had the opportunity to perform.

Key to tables

      Awaiting ratification       not ratified or later rescinded by World Athletics

h = hand timing
+ = en route to a longer distance
A = affected by altitude
OT = oversized track
X = annulled due to doping violations
# = not officially ratified by World Athletics
a = aided road course according to IAAF rule 260.28
est = estimate
i = set indoors (overall world record tables only)

Men

Event Perf. W N Average Speed Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R V P
mph km/h
100 m
9.58
+0.9
23.35 37.58 Bolt, UsainUsain Bolt  JAM
16 Aug 2009
World Championships Berlin  GER [1]
P
200 m
19.19
−0.3
23.31 37.52 Bolt, UsainUsain Bolt  JAM
20 Aug 2009
World Championships Berlin  GER [2]
P
400 m
43.03
20.79 33.47 van Niekerk, WaydeWayde van Niekerk  RSA
14 Aug 2016
Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro  BRA [3]
P
800 m
1:40.91
17.734 28.540 Rudisha, DavidDavid Rudisha  KEN
9 Aug 2012
Olympic Games London  GBR [4]
P
1000 m
2:11.96
16.952 27.281 Ngeny, NoahNoah Ngeny  KEN
5 Sep 1999
Rieti Meeting Rieti  ITA [5]
P
1500 m
3:26.00
16.288 26.214 El Guerrouj, HichamHicham El Guerrouj  MAR
14 Jul 1998
Golden Gala Rome  ITA [6]
P
Mile
3:43.13
16.134 25.965 El Guerrouj, HichamHicham El Guerrouj  MAR
7 Jul 1999
Golden Gala Rome  ITA [7]
P
Mile (Road)
3:56.13
15.25 24.54 Kessler, HobbsHobbs Kessler  USA
1 Oct 2023
World Road Running Championships Riga  LAT
3:54.56
15.35 24.70 Wanyonyi, EmmanuelEmmanuel Wanyonyi  KEN
27 Apr 2024
Adizero: Road to Records Herzogenaurach  GER [8]
2000 m
4:43.13
15.80 25.43 Ingebrigtsen, JakobJakob Ingebrigtsen  NOR
8 Sep 2023
Memorial van Damme Brussels  BEL [9]
3000 m
7:20.67
15.229 24.508 Komen, DanielDaniel Komen  KEN
1 Sep 1996
Rieti Meeting Rieti  ITA [10]
P
5000 m
12:35.36
14.807 23.830 Cheptegei, JoshuaJoshua Cheptegei  UGA
14 Aug 2020
Herculis Monaco  MON [11]
P
5 km (road)
12:49.00
14.54 23.41 Aregawi, BerihuBerihu Aregawi  ETH
31 Dec 2021
Cursa dels Nassos Barcelona  ESP
P
10,000 m
26:11.00
14.239 22.915 Cheptegei, JoshuaJoshua Cheptegei  UGA
7 Oct 2020
Valencia  ESP [12]
P
10 km (road)
26:38.00
13.99 22.52 Joshua Cheptegei  UGA
1 Dec 2019
10K Valencia Trinidad Alfonso Valencia  ESP [13]
26:33.00
14.04 22.60 Aregawi, BerihuBerihu Aregawi  ETH
11 Mar 2023
Laredo  ESP
26:24.00
14.12 22.73 Kipruto, RhonexRhonex Kipruto  KEN
12 Jan 2020
10K Valencia Ibercaja Valencia  ESP [14]
P
Half marathon
57:31.00
13.67 22.01 Jacob Kiplimo  UGA
21 Nov 2021
EDP Lisbon Half Marathon Lisbon  POR
P
One hour (track)
21,330 m
13.254 21.330 Farah, MoMo Farah  GBR
4 Sep 2020
Diamond League Brussels  BEL [15]
P
Marathon
2:00:35
13.046 20.995 Kiptum, KelvinKelvin Kiptum  KEN
8 Oct 2023
Chicago Marathon Chicago  USA
P
1:59:40.2
13.136 21.156 Kipchoge, EliudEliud Kipchoge  KEN
12 Oct 2019
INEOS 1:59 Challenge Vienna  AUT [16]
50 km (road)
2:38:43.00
11.74 18.90 CJ Albertson  USA
8 Oct 2022
Ruth Anderson Memorial Endurance Run San Francisco  USA
100 km (road)
6:05:35.00
10.198 16.412 Sorokin, AleksandrAleksandr Sorokin  LTU
14 May 2023
World's Fastest Run Vilnius  LTU
P
110 m hurdles
12.80
+0.3
19.22 30.94 Merritt, AriesAries Merritt  USA
7 Sep 2012
Memorial Van Damme Brussels  BEL [17]
P
400 m hurdles
45.94
19.477 31.345 Warholm, KarstenKarsten Warholm  NOR
3 Aug 2021
Olympic Games Tokyo  JPN [18]
P
3000 m steeplechase
7:52.11
14.215 22.876 Lamecha Girma  ETH
9 Jun 2023
Meeting de Paris Paris  FRA [19]
P
High jump
2.45 m
Sotomayor, JavierJavier Sotomayor  CUB
27 Jul 1993
Gran Premio Diputación Salamanca  ESP [20]
P
Pole vault
6.23 m
Duplantis, ArmandArmand Duplantis  SWE
17 Sep 2023
Prefontaine Classic Eugene  USA [21]
P
6.24 m
Duplantis, ArmandArmand Duplantis  SWE
20 Apr 2024
Xiamen Diamond League Xiamen  CHN [22]
P
Long jump
8.95 m
+0.3
Powell, MikeMike Powell  USA
30 Aug 1991
World Championships Tokyo  JPN [23]
P
Triple jump
18.29 m
+1.3
Edwards, JonathanJonathan Edwards  GBR
7 Aug 1995
World Championships Gothenburg  SWE [24]
P
Shot put
23.56 m
Crouser, RyanRyan Crouser  USA
27 May 2023
USATF LA Grand Prix Los Angeles  USA [25] P
Discus throw
74.08 m
Schult, JürgenJürgen Schult  GDR
6 Jun 1986
Neubrandenburg  GDR [26]
P
74.35 m
Alekna, MykolasMykolas Alekna  LTU
14 Apr 2024
Oklahoma Throws Series Ramona  USA [27]
Hammer throw
86.74 m
Sedykh, YuriyYuriy Sedykh  URS
30 Aug 1986
European Championships Stuttgart  FRG [28]
P
Javelin throw
98.48 m
Zelezny, JanJan Železný  CZE
25 May 1996
Jena  GER [29]
P
Decathlon
9126 pts
Mayer, KevinKevin Mayer  FRA
16 Sep 2018
Décastar Talence  FRA [30]
P
20,000 m walk (track)
1:17:25.60
9.630 15.499 Segura, BernardoBernardo Segura  MEX
7 May 1994
Bergen  NOR
20 km walk (road)
1:16:36.00
9.734 15.666 Suzuki, YusukeYusuke Suzuki  JPN
15 Mar 2015
Asian Race Walking Championships Nomi  JPN
P
2 hours walk (track)
29,572 m
+ 9.188 14.786 Damilano, MaurizioMaurizio Damilano  ITA
3 Oct 1992
Cuneo  ITA
30,000 m walk (track)
2:01:44.10
9.188 14.786 Damilano, MaurizioMaurizio Damilano  ITA
3 Oct 1992
Cuneo  ITA
35 km walk (road)
2:21:31
9.221 14.839 Vladimir Kanaykin  RUS
19 Feb 2006
Sochi  RUS
50,000 m walk (track)
3:35:27.20
8.652 13.924 Diniz, YohannYohann Diniz  FRA
12 Mar 2011
Reims  FRA
50 km walk (road)
3:32:33.00
8.770 14.114 Diniz, YohannYohann Diniz  FRA
15 Aug 2014
European Championships Zürich  SUI [31]
P
4 × 100 m relay
36.84
24.288 39.088 Nesta Carter
Michael Frater
Yohan Blake
Usain Bolt
 JAM
11 Aug 2012
Olympic Games London  GBR [32]
P
4 × 200 m relay
1:18.63
22.759 36.627 Nickel Ashmeade
Warren Weir
Jermaine Brown
Yohan Blake
 JAM
24 May 2014
World Relays Nassau  BAH [33]
P
4 × 400 m relay
2:54.29
20.535 33.048 Andrew Valmon
Quincy Watts
Butch Reynolds
Michael Johnson
 USA
22 Aug 1993
World Championships Stuttgart  GER [34]
P
4 × 800 m relay
7:02.43
16.945 27.271 Joseph Mutua
William Yiampoy
Ismael Kombich
Wilfred Bungei
 KEN
25 Aug 2006
Memorial Van Damme Brussels  BEL [35]
Distance medley relay
9:15.50
16.108 25.923 Kyle Merber
Brycen Spratling
Brandon Johnson
Ben Blankenship
 USA
3 May 2015
World Relays Nassau  BAH
9:14.58
16.134 25.966 Brannon Kidder
Brandon Miller
Isaiah Harris
Henry Wynne
 USA
19 April 2024
Oregon Relays Eugene  USA
4 × 1500 m relay
14:22.22
15.566 25.052 Collins Cheboi
Silas Kiplagat
James Kiplagat Magut
Asbel Kiprop
 KEN
25 May 2014
World Relays Nassau  BAH [36]
Road relay
42.195 km
1:57:06.00
13.434 21.620 Josephat Ndambiri
Martin Mathathi
Daniel Muchunu Mwangi
Mekubo Mogusu
Onesmus Nyerre
John Kariuki
 KEN
23 Nov 2005
Chiba Ekiden Chiba  JPN

Women

Event Perf. W N mph km/h Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R V P
100 m
10.49
0.0
21.32 34.32 Griffith Joyner, FlorenceFlorence Griffith Joyner  USA
16 Jul 1988
US Olympic Trials Indianapolis  USA [37] P
200 m
21.34
+1.3
20.97 33.74 Griffith Joyner, FlorenceFlorence Griffith Joyner  USA
29 Sep 1988
Olympic Games Seoul  KOR [38] P
400 m
47.60
18.798 30.252 Koch, MaritaMarita Koch  GDR
6 Oct 1985
World Cup Canberra  AUS [39] P
800 m
1:53.28
15.798 25.424 Kratochvilova, JarmilaJarmila Kratochvílová  TCH
26 Jul 1983
Munich  FRG [40] P
1000 m
2:28.98
15.015 24.164 Masterkova, SvetlanaSvetlana Masterkova  RUS
23 Aug 1996
Memorial Van Damme Brussels  BEL [41] P
1500 m
3:49.11
14.645 23.569 Faith Kipyegon  KEN
2 Jun 2023
Golden Gala Florence  ITA [42] P
3:49.04
14.650 23.577 Faith Kipyegon  KEN
7 Jul 2024
Meeting de Paris Paris  FRA [43]
Mile
4:07.64
14.537 23.395 Faith Kipyegon  KEN
21 Jul 2023
Herculis Monaco  MON P
Mile (Road)
4:20.98
Wo 13.714 22.071 Diribe Welteji  ETH
1 Oct 2023
World Road Running Championships Riga  LAT
2000 m
5:21.56
13.912 22.391 Niyonsaba, FrancineFrancine Niyonsaba  BDI
14 Sep 2021
Hanžeković Memorial Zagreb  CRO [44]
3000 m
8:06.11
13.805 22.217 Wang Junxia, Wang Junxia  CHN
13 Sep 1993
Chinese National Games Beijing  CHN P
5000 m
14:00.21
13.312 21.423 Tsegay, GudafGudaf Tsegay  ETH
17 Sep 2023
Prefontaine Classic Eugene  USA
P
5 km (road)
14:29.00
Wo 12.87 20.71 Teferi, SenbereSenbere Teferi  ETH
12 Sep 2021
5 km Adizero Road to Records Herzogenaurach  GER
P
14:13.00
Wo 13.11 21.10 Beatrice Chebet  KEN
31 Dec 2023
Cursa dels Nassos Barcelona  ESP
14:19.00
Mx 13.02 20.95 Taye, EjgayehuEjgayehu Taye  ETH
31 Dec 2021
Cursa dels Nassos Barcelona  ESP
14:13.00
Mx 13.11 21.10 Agnes Ngetich  KEN
14 Jan 2024
10K Valencia Ibercaja Valencia  ESP
10,000 m
29:01.03
12.848 20.677 Gidey, LetesenbetLetesenbet Gidey  ETH
8 Jun 2021
Ethiopian Olympic Trials Hengelo  NED P
28:54.14
12.899 20.760 Chebet, BeatriceBeatrice Chebet  KEN
25 May 2024
Prefontaine Classic Eugene  USA [45]
10 km (road)
28:46.00
Mx 12.96 20.86 Agnes Ngetich  KEN
14 Jan 2024
10K Valencia Ibercaja Valencia  ESP
P
30:01.00
Wo 12.42 19.99 Agnes Tirop  KEN
12 Sep 2021
Adizero Road to Records Herzogenaurach  GER
29:26.00
Wo 12.67 20.39 Agnes Ngetich  KEN
18 Nov 2023
Urban Trail de Lille Lille  FRA
29:24.00
Wo 12.68 20.41 Agnes Ngetich  KEN
10 Sep 2023
Brașov Running Festival Brașov  ROM
29:14.00
Mx 12.83 20.53 Yalemzerf Yehualaw  ETH
27 Feb 2022
World Athletics Label road race Castellón de la Plana  ESP [46]
One hour (track)
18,930 m
11.763 18.930 Hassan, SifanSifan Hassan  NED
4 Sep 2020
Diamond League Brussels  BEL [47] P
Half marathon
1:02:52
Mx 12.512 20.135 Gidey, LetesenbetLetesenbet Gidey  ETH
24 Oct 2021
Valencia Half Marathon Valencia  ESP P
1:05:16
Wo 12.055 19.400 Jepchirchir, PeresPeres Jepchirchir  KEN
17 Oct 2020
World Half Marathon Championships Gdynia  POL [48]
Marathon
2:11:53.00
Mx 11.920 19.197 Assefa, TigstTigst Assefa  ETH
24 Sep 2023
Berlin Marathon Berlin  GER P
2:16:16.00
Wo 11.544 18.580 Jepchirchir, PeresPeres Jepchirchir  KEN
21 Apr 2024
London Marathon London  GBR [49] [50]
50 km (road)
2:59:54.00
Mx 10.36 16.68 Linden, DesireeDesiree Linden  USA
13 Apr 2021
Brooks Running 50 km & Marathon Dorena Lake  USA
3:00:30.00
Wo 10.33 16.62 Hayile, Emane SeifuEmane Seifu Hayile  ETH
26 Feb 2023
Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers Ultramarathon Gqeberha  RSA
100 km (road)
6:33:11.00
Mx 9.4822 15.2601 Abe, TomoeTomoe Abe  JPN
25 Jun 2000
Lake Saroma Ultramarathon Yūbetsu  JPN
100 m hurdles
12.12
+0.9
18.457 29.703 Amusan, TobiTobi Amusan  NGR
24 Jul 2022
World Championships Eugene  USA P
400 m hurdles
50.68
17.655 28.414 McLaughlin, SydneySydney McLaughlin  USA
22 Jul 2022
World Championships Eugene  USA [51] P
50.65
17.666 28.430 McLaughlin-Levrone, SydneySydney McLaughlin-Levrone  USA
30 Jun 2024
US Olympic Trials Eugene  USA [52] P
3000 m steeplechase
8:44.32
12.799 20.598 Chepkoech, BeatriceBeatrice Chepkoech  KEN
20 Jul 2018
Herculis Monaco  MON P
High jump
2.09 m
Kostadinova, StefkaStefka Kostadinova  BUL
30 Aug 1987
World Championships Rome  ITA [53] P
2.10 m
Mahuchikh, YaroslavaYaroslava Mahuchikh  UKR
7 Jul 2024
Meeting de Paris Paris  FRA P
Pole vault
5.06 m
Isinbayeva, YelenaYelena Isinbayeva  RUS
28 Aug 2009
Weltklasse Zürich Zürich  SUI [54] P
Long jump
7.52 m
+1.4
Chistyakova, GalinaGalina Chistyakova  URS
11 Jun 1988
Brothers Znamensky Memorial Leningrad  URS [55] P
Triple jump
15.74 m
N/A i Rojas, YulimarYulimar Rojas  VEN
20 Mar 2022
World Championships Belgrade  SRB P
Shot put
22.63 m
Lisovskaya, NatalyaNatalya Lisovskaya  URS
7 Jun 1987
Brothers Znamensky Memorial Moscow  URS [56] P
Discus throw
76.80 m
Reinsch, GabrieleGabriele Reinsch  GDR
9 Jul 1988
Neubrandenburg  GDR [57] P
Hammer throw
82.98 m
Włodarczyk, AnitaAnita Włodarczyk  POL
28 Aug 2016
Kamila Skolimowska Memorial Warsaw  POL [58] P
Javelin throw
72.28 m
Spotakova, BarboraBarbora Špotáková  CZE
13 Sep 2008
World Athletics Final Stuttgart  GER [59] P
Heptathlon
7291 pts
Joyner-Kersee, JackieJackie Joyner-Kersee  USA
24 Sep 1988
Olympic Games Seoul  KOR P
Decathlon
8358 pts
Skujyte, AustraAustra Skujytė  LTU
15 Apr 2005
Audrey Walton Combined Events Columbia  USA P
10,000 m walk (track)
41:56.23
8.890 14.307 Ryashkina, NadezhdaNadezhda Ryashkina  URS
24 Jul 1990
Goodwill Games Seattle  USA
41:37.90
8.955 14.412 Gao Hongmiao, Gao Hongmiao  CHN
7 Apr 1994
Beijing  CHN
20,000 m walk (track)
1:26:52.30
8.583 13.814 Ivanova, OlimpiadaOlimpiada Ivanova  RUS
6 Sep 2001
Brisbane  AUS
20 km walk (road)
1:23:49
8.896 14.317 Yang Jiayu, Yang Jiayu  CHN
20 Mar 2021
Chinese Race Walking Championships Huangshan  CHN P
1:23:39
8.914 14.346 Lashmanova, ElenaElena Lashmanova  RUS
9 Jun 2018
Russian Race Walking Championships Cheboksary  RUS
35 km walk (road)
2:37:15
8.298 13.355 María Pérez  ESP
21 May 2023
European Race Walking Team Championships Poděbrady  Czech Republic
50,000 m walk (track)
4:29:45.560
6.910 11.121 Burnett, KatieKatie Burnett  USA
13 Jul 2019
National Invitational Racewalks San Diego  USA
50 km walk (road)
3:59:15
7.791 12.539 Liu Hong, Liu Hong  CHN
9 Mar 2019
Chinese Race Walk Grand Prix Huangshan  CHN P
3:57:08
7.861 12.651 Afanasyeva, KlavdiyaKlavdiya Afanasyeva  RUS
15 Jun 2019
Russian Race Walking Championships Cheboksary  RUS
4 × 100 m relay
40.82
21.92 35.277 Tianna Madison
Allyson Felix
Bianca Knight
Carmelita Jeter
 USA
10 Aug 2012
Olympic Games London  GBR [60] P
4 × 200 m relay
1:27.46
20.461 32.929 LaTasha Jenkins
LaTasha Colander-Richardson
Nanceen Perry
Marion Jones
 USA
29 Apr 2000
Penn Relays Philadelphia  USA
1:27.05
20.558 33.084 Dina Asher-Smith
Rhasidat Adeleke
Lanae-Tava Thomas
Julien Alfred
 GBR
 IRL
 JAM
 LCA
30 Mar 2024
Texas Relays Austin  USA
4 × 400 m relay
3:15.17
18.338 29.513 Tatyana Ledovskaya
Olga Nazarova
Mariya Pinigina
Olga Bryzgina
 URS
1 Oct 1988
Olympic Games Seoul  KOR [61] P
4 × 800 m relay
7:50.17
15.225 24.502 Irina Podyalovskaya
Nadezhda Olizarenko
Lyubov Gurina
Lyudmila Borisova
 URS
5 Aug 1984
Moscow  URS
Distance medley relay
10:36.50
14.058 22.624 Treniere Moser
Sanya Richards-Ross
Ajeé Wilson
Shannon Rowbury
 USA
2 May 2015
World Relays Nassau  BAH
10:33.85
i 14.117 22.718 Heather McLean
Kendall Ellis
Roisin Willis
Elle Purrier St. Pierre
 USA
15 Apr 2022
A Night at the TRACK
Presented by New Balance Running
Boston  USA
4 × 1500 m relay
16:27.02
13.598 21.884 Colleen Quigley
Elise Cranny
Karissa Schweizer
Shelby Houlihan
 USA
31 Jul 2020
Bowerman TC Intrasquad Meet IV Portland  USA [62]
Road relay
42.195 km
2:11:41.00
Mx 11.946 19.226 Jiang Bo
Dong Yanmei
Zhao Fengting
Ma Zaijie
Lan Lixin
Li Na
 CHN
28 Feb 1998
Beijing  CHN
2:16:04.00
Wo 11.561 18.606 Genet Gebregiogios
Birhane Adere
Ayelech Worku
Gete Wami
Getenesh Urge
Luchia Yischak
 ETH
13 Apr 1996
Copenhagen  DEN

Mixed

Event Perf. N Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R V P
4 × 400 m relay
3:08.80
Justin Robinson 44.47
Rosey Effiong 50.38
Matthew Boling 45.13
Alexis Holmes 48.82
 USA
19 August 2023
World Championships Budapest  HUN [63] P

Indoor world records

2018 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships (40313658122)
Christian Coleman breaking the 60 m world record

In 2023 World Athletics decided to introduce the new term 'short track' to replace the current term 'indoor' to describe events and performances that are set on a 200m track. For track and combined events the term "indoor world records" were changed to "world records short track". In some field events, including long jump, triple jump, high jump, pole vault and shot put indoor world records were eliminated. These changes coming into effect since 1 November 2023.

Men

Event Perf. N Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R V P
50 m
5.55
X Johnson, BenBen Johnson  CAN
31 Jan 1987
Ottawa  CAN
5.56
A Bailey, DonovanDonovan Bailey  CAN
9 Feb 1996
Bill Cosby Invitational Reno  USA [64]
5.56
# Greene, MauriceMaurice Greene  USA
13 Feb 1999
Los Angeles  USA
60 m
6.34
A Christian Coleman  USA
18 Feb 2018
USA Championships Albuquerque  USA [65] P
200 m sh
19.92
Fredericks, FrankieFrankie Fredericks  NAM
18 Feb 1996
Meeting Pas de Calais Liévin  FRA [66]
400 m sh
44.57
Clement, KerronKerron Clement  USA
12 Mar 2005
NCAA Division I Men's Indoor Championships Fayetteville  USA
44.52
# Michael Norman  USA
10 Mar 2018
NCAA Division I Championships College Station  USA [67]
44.49
Christopher Morales Williams  CAN
24 Feb 2024
SEC Championships Fayetteville  USA
800 m sh
1:42.67
Kipketer, WilsonWilson Kipketer  DEN
9 Mar 1997
World Championships Paris  FRA [68]
1000 m sh
2:14.20
Souleiman, AyanlehAyanleh Souleiman  DJI
17 Feb 2016
Globen Galan Stockholm  SWE [69]
1500 m sh
3:30.60
Ingebrigtsen, JakobJakob Ingebrigtsen  NOR
17 Feb 2022
Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Liévin  FRA
Mile sh
3:47.01
Kejelcha, YomifYomif Kejelcha  ETH
3 March 2019
Bruce Lehane Invitational Boston  USA [70]
3000 m sh
7:23.81
Girma, LamechaLamecha Girma  ETH
15 Feb 2023
Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Liévin  FRA [71]
5000 m sh
12:49.60
Bekele, KenenisaKenenisa Bekele  ETH
20 Feb 2004
Aviva Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham  GBR
50 m hurdles
6.25
McKoy, MarkMark McKoy  CAN
5 Mar 1986
Kobe  JPN
60 m hurdles
7.27
A Holloway, GrantGrant Holloway  USA
16 Feb 2024
USA Championships Albuquerque  USA [72] P
High jump
2.43 m
Sotomayor, JavierJavier Sotomayor  CUB
4 Mar 1989
World Championships Budapest  HUN [73] P
Pole vault
6.22 m
Duplantis, ArmandArmand Duplantis  SWE
25 Feb 2023
All Star Perche Clermont-Ferrand  FRA P
Long jump
8.79 m
Lewis, CarlCarl Lewis  USA
27 Jan 1984
Millrose Games New York City  USA [74]
Triple jump
18.07 m
Hugues Fabrice Zango  BUR
16 Jan 2021
Aubière  FRA [75]
Shot put
22.82 m
Ryan Crouser  USA
24 Jan 2021
American Track League Fayetteville  USA [76]
Heptathlon sh
6645 pts
Eaton, AshtonAshton Eaton  USA
10 Mar 2012
World Championships Istanbul  TUR
5000 m walk sh
18:07.08
Shchennikov, MikhailMikhail Shchennikov  RUS
14 Feb 1995
Russian Winter Meeting Moscow  RUS
4 × 200 m relay sh
1:22.11
Linford Christie
Darren Braithwaite
Ade Mafe
John Regis
 GBR
3 Mar 1991
Glasgow  GBR
4 × 400 m relay sh
3:01.51
Amere Lattin
Obi Igbokwe
Jermaine Holt
Kahmari Montgomery
 USA
9 Feb 2019
Clemson's Tiger Paw Invitational Clemson  USA
3:00.77
Zach Shinnick
Rai Benjamin
Ricky Morgan Jr.
Michael Norman
 USA
 ATG
 USA
 USA
10 Mar 2018
NCAA Division I Championships College Station  USA [77]
3:01.39
# Ilolo Izu
Robert Grant
Devin Dixon
Mylik Kerley
 USA
10 Mar 2018
NCAA Division I Championships College Station  USA
3:01.43
Kunle Fasasi
Grant Holloway
Chantz Sawyers
Benjamin Lobo Vedel
 NGR
 USA
 JAM
 DEN
10 Mar 2018
NCAA Division I Championships College Station  USA
4 × 800 m relay sh
7:11.30
Joe McAsey
Kyle Merber
Chris Giesting
Jesse Garn
 USA
25 Feb 2018
BU Last Chance Meet Boston  USA

Women

Event Perf. N Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R V P
50 m
5.96
+ Privalova, IrinaIrina Privalova  RUS
9 Feb 1995
Madrid  ESP
60 m
6.92
Privalova, IrinaIrina Privalova  RUS
11 Feb 1993
Madrid  ESP
6.92
Privalova, IrinaIrina Privalova  RUS
9 Feb 1995
Madrid  ESP
200 m sh
21.87
Ottey, MerleneMerlene Ottey  JAM
13 Feb 1993
Meeting Pas de Calais Liévin  FRA [78]
400 m sh
49.17
Bol, FemkeFemke Bol  NED
2 Mar 2024
World Championships Glasgow  GBR [79]
800 m sh
1:55.82
Ceplak, JolandaJolanda Čeplak  SLO
3 Mar 2002
European Championships Vienna  AUT [80]
1000 m sh
2:30.94
Mutola, MariaMaria Mutola  MOZ
25 Feb 1999
GE Galan Stockholm  SWE
1500 m sh
3:53.09
Tsegay, GudafGudaf Tsegay  ETH
9 Feb 2021
Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais Liévin  FRA [81]
Mile sh
4:13.31
Dibaba, GenzebeGenzebe Dibaba  ETH
17 Feb 2016
Globen Galan Stockholm  SWE [82]
3000 m sh
8:16.60
Dibaba, GenzebeGenzebe Dibaba  ETH
6 Feb 2014
XL Galan Stockholm  SWE [83]
5000 m sh
14:18.86
Dibaba, GenzebeGenzebe Dibaba  ETH
19 Feb 2015
XL Galan Stockholm  SWE [84]
50 m hurdles
6.58
Oschkenat, CorneliaCornelia Oschkenat  GDR
20 Feb 1988
East Berlin  GDR
60 m hurdles
7.65
Devynne Charlton  BAH
3 Mar 2024
World Championships Glasgow  USA P
7.63
X Narozhilenko, LyudmilaLyudmila Narozhilenko  RUS
4 Mar 1993
Seville  ESP
High jump
2.08 m
Bergqvist, KajsaKajsa Bergqvist  SWE
4 Feb 2006
Hochsprung mit Musik Arnstadt  GER [85]
Pole vault
5.03 m
# Suhr, JennJenn Suhr  USA
30 Jan 2016
Golden Eagle Multi and Invitational Brockport  USA P
5.02 m
A Suhr, JennJenn Suhr  USA
2 Mar 2013
USA Championships Albuquerque  USA P
Long jump
7.37 m
Drechsler, HeikeHeike Drechsler  GDR
13 Feb 1988
Vienna  AUT
Triple jump
15.74 m
Rojas, YulimarYulimar Rojas  VEN
20 Mar 2022
World Championships Belgrade  SRB
Shot put
22.50 m
Fibingerova, HelenaHelena Fibingerová  TCH
19 Feb 1977
Jablonec  TCH
Pentathlon sh
5055 pts
Thiam, NafiNafi Thiam  BEL
3 Mar 2023
European Championships Istanbul  TUR
3000 m walk sh
11:40.33
Iovan, ClaudiaClaudia Iovan  ROU
30 Jan 1999
Bucharest  ROU
11:35.34
# O'Sullivan, GillianGillian O'Sullivan  IRL
15 Feb 2003
Belfast  GBR
4 × 200 m relay sh
1:32.41
Yekaterina Kondratyeva
Irina Khabarova
Yuliya Pechonkina
Yuliya Gushchina
 RUS
29 Jan 2005
Aviva International Match Glasgow  GBR
4 × 400 m relay sh
3:23.37
Olesya Krasnomovets
Olga Zaytseva
Olga Kotlyarova
Yuliya Gushchina
 RUS
28 Jan 2006
Aviva International Match Glasgow  GBR
3:21.75
A
Amber Anning
Joanne Reid
Rosey Effiong
Britton Wilson
 GBR
 JAM
 USA
 USA
11 Mar 2023
NCAA Division I Championships Albuquerque  USA
4 × 800 m relay sh
8:05.89
Chrishuna Williams
Raevyn Rogers
Charlene Lipsey
Ajeé Wilson
 USA
3 Feb 2018
Millrose Games New York City  USA

Best performances in non-WA World Record events

Events which do not qualify for World Athletics-ratified world records are typically referred to as world bests.

While races over imperial measured distances were very common in the first half of the 20th century, only the mile remains common today due to its historical prominence in track and field: all other imperial measured distance races became increasingly rare, and the IAAF deleted these events from the world record books in 1976.

In November 2019, World Athletics (WA; formerly IAAF) also deleted several long-distance events (track distances of 20,000 metres, 25,000 metres and 30,000 metres and road distances of 15 km, 20 km, 25 km and 30 km) from the world record books.

Some road racing distances and indoor variations of outdoor events fall outside of WA's lists, and records set in uncommon events usually do not adhere to the strict criteria found in WA-ratifiable events: one example is the 150 metres record, which was set by Usain Bolt on a specially-made straight track, while previous performances (such as the Bailey–Johnson 150-metre race) were completed on a traditional circuit which included a partial bend in the track.

The 40-yard dash, a standard acceleration evaluation for American football players, does not fall within the usual criteria of athletics racing events. In most 40-yard dashes, reaction times are not recorded as timing starts only once the player is in motion, and the standards for timing a "football 40" are so lax and inconsistent that a real world record cannot be claimed.

Performances are also hand-timed and calculated to 1/100th of a second, although studies have shown human beings simply cannot react consistently or accurately enough for this to be a valid method, and even those using light beams are timed by the motion of the athlete, removing the normal factor of reaction time; further, football 40-yard dashes are usually run on a turf surface as opposed to an all weather track. All of these factors make track and "football 40" performances essentially impossible to compare.

The world best time for a "football 40" is 4.17 by Deion Sanders, while the extrapolated best for an Olympic-level athlete (including reacting to a starting gun) is 4.24 by Maurice Greene at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics. Under conventional football timing on a turf field in 2017, Christian Coleman reportedly ran a 4.12.

Outdoor events

Men

Event Perf. W N Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R V P
50 m
5.40
+0.2
+ Surin, BrunyBruny Surin  CAN
22 Aug 1999
World Championships Seville  ESP
60 m
6.25
+
6.31
+0.9
+ Bolt, UsainUsain Bolt  JAM
16 Aug 2009
World Championships Berlin  GER
6.29
+0.9
+ Bingtian, SuSu Bingtian  CHN
1 Aug 2021
Olympic Games Tokyo  JPN
100 y
9.00
h Crockett, IvoryIvory Crockett  USA
11 May 1974
Knoxville  USA
McTear, HoustonHouston McTear  USA
9 May 1975
Winter Park  USA
9.07
−0.5
+ Powell, AsafaAsafa Powell  JAM
27 May 2010
Golden Spike Ostrava Ostrava  CZE
150 m
14.44
−0.3
+ Bolt, UsainUsain Bolt  JAM
20 Aug 2009
World Championships Berlin  GER
150 m straight
14.35
+1.1
Bolt, UsainUsain Bolt  JAM
17 May 2009
Manchester City Games Manchester  GBR
200 m straight
19.41
−0.4
Gay, TysonTyson Gay  USA
16 May 2010
Manchester City Games Manchester  GBR
220 y (straight)
19.50
+1.9
h Smith, TommieTommie Smith  USA
7 May 1966
San Jose, California  USA
19.54
−0.4
Gay, TysonTyson Gay  USA
16 May 2010
Manchester City Games Manchester  GBR
300 m
30.69
A , Letsile TebogoLetsile Tebogo  BOT
17 Feb 2024
Simbine Curro Classic Shoot-Out Pretoria  RSA
440 y
44.50
Smith, JohnJohn Smith  USA
26 Jun 1971
USA Championships Eugene  USA
500 m
57.69
Rudisha, DavidDavid Rudisha  KEN
10 Sep 2016
Great North CityGames Newcastle  GBR
600 m
1:12.81
Gray, JohnnyJohnny Gray  USA
24 May 1986
Santa Monica  USA
1600 m
3:41.83
+ El Guerrouj, HichamHicham El Guerrouj  MAR
7 Jul 1999
Golden Gala Rome  ITA
3200 m
7:51.35
+ Ingebrigtsen, JakobJakob Ingebrigtsen  NOR
9 Jun 2023
Meeting de Paris Paris  FRA
Two miles
7:54.10
Ingebrigtsen, JakobJakob Ingebrigtsen  NOR
9 Jun 2023
Meeting de Paris Paris  FRA P
8 km (road)
21:11.00
+ Kipruto, RhonexRhonex Kipruto  KEN
12 Jan 2020
10K Valencia Ibercaja Valencia  ESP [86]
15 km (road)
40:27.00
+ Kiplimo, JacobJacob Kiplimo  UGA
21 Nov 2021
Lisbon Half Marathon Lisbon  POR
10 miles (road)
44:04.00
Kibet, BenardBenard Kibet  KEN
4 Dec 2022
Kōsa 10-Miler Kōsa  JAP
20,000 m (track)
56:20.02
+ Abdi, BashirBashir Abdi  BEL
4 Sep 2020
Diamond League Brussels  BEL [87]
20 km (road)
54:29.00
+ Kiplimo, JacobJacob Kiplimo  UGA
21 Nov 2021
Lisbon Half Marathon Lisbon  POR
25,000 m (track)
1:12:25.40
+ Mosop, MosesMoses Mosop  KEN
3 Jun 2011
Prefontaine Classic Eugene  USA
25 km (road)
1:11:08.00
+ Kipchoge, EliudEliud Kipchoge  KEN
25 Sep 2022
Berlin Marathon Berlin  GER
30,000 m (track)
1:26:47.40
Mosop, MosesMoses Mosop  KEN
3 Jun 2011
Prefontaine Classic Eugene  USA
30 km (road)
1:25:40.00
+ Kipchoge, EliudEliud Kipchoge  KEN
25 Sep 2022
Berlin Marathon Berlin  GER
35 km (road)
1:40:10.00
+ Kipchoge, EliudEliud Kipchoge  KEN
25 Sep 2022
Berlin Marathon Berlin  GER
40 km (road)
1:54:23.00
+ Kiptum, KelvinKelvin Kiptum  KEN
8 Oct 2023
Chicago Marathon Chicago  USA
100,000 m (track)
6:05:41.00
Sorokin, AleksandrAleksandr Sorokin  LTU
23 Apr 2022
Centurion Running Track 100 Mile Bedfordshire  GBR
100 miles (track)
11:14:56.00
+ Sorokin, AleksandrAleksandr Sorokin  LTU
24 Apr 2021
Centurion Running Track 100 Mile Ashford  UK
100 miles (road)
10:51:39.00
+ Sorokin, AleksandrAleksandr Sorokin  LTU
6 Jan 2022
Spartanion Race Tel Aviv  ISR
12-hour run (track)
170,309 m
Sorokin, AleksandrAleksandr Sorokin  LTU
24 Apr 2021
Centurion Running Track 100 Mile Ashford  UK
12-hour run (road)
177,410 m
Sorokin, AleksandrAleksandr Sorokin  LTU
6 Jan 2022
Spartanion Race Tel Aviv  ISR
24-hour run (road)
319,614 m
Sorokin, AleksandrAleksandr Sorokin  LTU
18 Sep 2022
IAU 24 Hour European Championships Verona  ITA
2000 m steeplechase
5:10.68
Mekhissi-Benabbad, MahiedineMahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad  FRA
30 Jun 2010
Alma Athlé Tour Reims  FRA
2500 m steeplechase
7:34.4
h Orton, GeorgeGeorge Orton  CAN
15 Jul 1900
Olympic Games Paris  FRA
2590 m steeplechase
7:39.6
h Lightbody, JamesJames Lightbody  USA
29 Aug 1904
Olympic Games St. Louis  USA
3460 m steeplechase
10:33.4
h Iso-Hollo, VolmariVolmari Iso-Hollo  FIN
1 Aug 1932
Olympic Games Los Angeles  USA
4000 m steeplechase
12:58.4
h Rimmer, JohnJohn Rimmer  GBR
16 Jul 1900
Olympic Games Paris  FRA
200 m hurdles
22.55
Ottoz, LaurentLaurent Ottoz  ITA
31 May 1995
Milan  ITA
200 m hurdles straight
21.90
+1.4
h Styron, DonDon Styron  USA
2 Apr 1960
Baton Rouge  USA
22.10
+2.0
Turner, AndyAndy Turner  GBR
15 May 2011
Manchester City Games Manchester  GBR
22.10
+1.8
van Zyl, Louis JacobusLouis Jacobus van Zyl  RSA
9 May 2015
Manchester City Games Manchester  GBR
220 y hurdles straight
21.90
+1.4
h Styron, DonDon Styron  USA
2 Apr 1960
Baton Rouge  USA
300 m hurdles
33.26
Warholm, KarstenKarsten Warholm  NOR
4 Jun 2021
Night of Highlights Oslo  NOR [88]
P
440 y hurdles
48.70
Bolding, JimJim Bolding  USA
25 Jul 1974
Turin  ITA
Standing long jump
12 ft 3 in
Jones, ByronByron Jones  USA
23 Feb 2015
NFL Scouting Combine Indianapolis  USA
Standing triple jump
10.95 m
Lewis, TydreeTydree Lewis  USA
31 Oct 2011
Weight throw
25.41 m
Deal, LanceLance Deal  USA
20 Feb 1993
Azusa  USA
Icosathlon
14571 pts
Detmer, JosephJoseph Detmer  USA
25 Sep 2010
World Championships Lynchburg, Virginia  USA
1500 m walk (track)
5:12.00
+ Grigaliunas, AntanasAntanas Grigaliūnas  LTU
12 May 1990
Vilnius  LTU
Mile walk (track)
5:31.08
Bosworth, TomTom Bosworth  GBR
9 Jul 2017
London Grand Prix London  GBR
3000 m walk (track)
10:47.11
De Benedictis, GiovanniGiovanni De Benedictis  ITA
19 May 1990
San Giovanni Valdarno  ITA
5000 m walk (track)
18:05.49
Ghoula, HatemHatem Ghoula  TUN
1 May 1997
Tunis  TUN
5 km walk (road)
18:21
Korzeniowski, RobertRobert Korzeniowski  POL
15 Sep 1990
Bad Salzdetfurth  GER
10,000 m walk (track)
37:25.21
Takahashi, EikiEiki Takahashi  JPN
14 Nov 2020
Juntendo University Long Distance meeting Inzai  JPN
10 km walk (road)
37:11.00
Rasskazov, RomanRoman Rasskazov  RUS
28 May 2000
Saransk  RUS
30 km walk (road)
2:05:06.00
Deakes, NathanNathan Deakes  AUS
27 Aug 2006
Australian Race Walking Championships Hobart  AUS
35 km walk (road)
2:21:31.00
Kanaykin, VladimirVladimir Kanaykin  RUS
19 Feb 2006
Russian Winter Race Walking Championships Adler  RUS
50-mile walk (road)
7:44:47.20
Ladany, ShaulShaul Ladany  ISR
1972
New Jersey  USA
4 × 110 y relay
38.60
A Earl McCullouch
Fred Kuller
O. J. Simpson
Lennox Miller (JAM)
17 Jun 1967
NCAA Division I Men's Outdoor Championships Provo, Utah  USA
Swedish relay
1:46.59
Christopher Williams
Usain Bolt
Davian Clarke
Jermaine Gonzales
 JAM
25 Jul 2006
DN Galan Stockholm  SWE
Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8)
3:10.76
Carl Lewis
Ferran Tyler
Benny Hollis
Johnny Gray
 USA
6 Apr 1985
Tempe  USA
4 × mile relay
15:49.08
Eamonn Coghlan
Ray Flynn
Frank O'Mara
Marcus O'Sullivan
 IRL
17 Aug 1985
Dublin  IRL
4 × 110m shuttle hurdle relay
52.94
Jason Richardson
Aleec Harris
Aries Merritt
David Oliver
 USA
25 Apr 2015
Drake Relays Des Moines  USA

Women

Event Perf. W N Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R V
50 m
5.93
−0.1
+ Jones, MarionMarion Jones  USA
22 Aug 1999
World Championships Seville  ESP
60 m
6.83
+0.4
+ Fraser-Pryce, Shelly-AnnShelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce  JAM
10 Aug 2022
Monaco Diamond League Monaco  MON
100 y
9.91
+1.1
+ Campbell-Brown, VeronicaVeronica Campbell-Brown  JAM
31 May 2011
Golden Spike Ostrava Ostrava  CZE
150 m
16.09
+0.2
+ Jackson, SherickaShericka Jackson  JAM
8 Sep 2023
Memorial van Damme Brussels  BEL
16.41
+1.1
Rollins-McNeal, BriannaBrianna Rollins-McNeal  USA
20 Jul 2020
AP Ranch High-Performance Invitational Fort Worth  USA
150 m straight
16.23
-0.7
Miller-Uibo, ShaunaeShaunae Miller-Uibo  BAH
20 May 2018
Adidas Boost Boston Games Boston  USA
200 m straight
21.76
+0.5
Miller-Uibo, ShaunaeShaunae Miller-Uibo  BAH
4 Jun 2017
Boost Boston Games Somerville  USA
300 m
34.14
+ Koch, MaritaMarita Koch  GDR
6 Oct 1985
World Cup Canberra  AUS
34.41
Miller-Uibo, ShaunaeShaunae Miller-Uibo  BAH
20 June 2019
Golden Spike Ostrava Ostrava  CZE
500 m
1:05.90
Kocembova, TatanaTatana Kocembova  TCH
2 Aug 1984
Ostrava  TCH
600 m
1:21.77
Semenya, CasterCaster Semenya  RSA
27 Aug 2017
ISTAF Berlin Berlin  GER
1600 m
4:06.20
+ Faith Kipyegon  KEN
21 Jul 2023
Herculis Monaco  MON
3200 m
8:55.45
+ Defar, MeseretMeseret Defar  ETH
14 Sep 2007
Memorial Van Damme Brussels  BEL
Two miles
8:58.58
Defar, MeseretMeseret Defar  ETH
14 Sep 2007
Memorial Van Damme Brussels  BEL
4 miles (road)
19:14.00
Kibiwot, ViolaViola Kibiwot  KEN
13 Oct 2013
4 Mile of Groningen Groningen  NED
8 km (road)
24:30.00
+ Keitany, MaryMary Keitany  KEN
18 Feb 2011
RAK Half Marathon Ras al-Khaimah  UAE
12 km (road)
38:05.00
Kipkoech, BrillianBrillian Kipkoech  KEN
19 May 2019
FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN Cape Town  RSA
15 km (road)
44:20.00
Mx Gidey, LetesenbetLetesenbet Gidey  ETH
17 Nov 2019
Zevenheuvelenloop Nijmegen  NED
46:24.00
Wo + Jepkosgei, JoycilineJoyciline Jepkosgei  KEN
17 Oct 2020
World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia  POL
10 miles (road)
51:23.00
Wo D'Amato, KeiraKeira D'Amato  USA
24 Nov 2020
Up Dawg Ten Miler Washington, D.C.  USA
50:05.00
+ Keitany, MaryMary Keitany  KEN
18 Feb 2011
RAK Half Marathon Ras al-Khaimah  UAE
49:21.00
+ a Kosgei, BrigidBrigid Kosgei  KEN
8 Sep 2019
Great North Run Newcastle upon TyneSouth Shields, United Kingdom  GBR
20,000 m (track)
1:05:26.60
Loroupe, TeglaTegla Loroupe  KEN
3 Sep 2000
Borgholzhausen  GER
20 km (road)
59:35.00
Mx + Gidey, LetesenbetLetesenbet Gidey  ETH
24 Oct 2021
Valencia Half Marathon Valencia  ESP
1:02:04.00
Wo + Jepchirchir, PeresPeres Jepchirchir  KEN
17 Oct 2020
World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Gdynia  POL
25,000 m (track)
1:27:05.84
Loroupe, TeglaTegla Loroupe  KEN
21 Sep 2002
Mengerskirchen  GER
25 km (road)
1:18:03.00
Mx + Chepngetich, RuthRuth Chepngetich  KEN
9 Oct 2022
Chicago Marathon Chicago  USA
1:19:38.00
Wo + Jepchirchir, PeresPeres Jepchirchir  KEN
21 Apr 2024
London Marathon London  GBR
30,000 m (track)
1:45:50.00
Loroupe, TeglaTegla Loroupe  KEN
6 Jun 2003
Warstein  GER
30 km (road)
1:34:01.00
Mx + Chepngetich, RuthRuth Chepngetich  KEN
9 Oct 2022
Chicago Marathon Chicago  USA
1:35:56.00
Wo + Jepchirchir, PeresPeres Jepchirchir  KEN
21 Apr 2024
London Marathon London  GBR
35 km (road)
1:49:41.00
Mx + Assefa, TigstTigst Assefa  ETH
24 Sep 2023
Berlin Marathon Berlin  GER
1:52:39.00
Wo + Keitany, Mary JepkosgeiMary Jepkosgei Keitany  KEN
23 Apr 2017
London Marathon London  GBR
40 km (road)
2:05:13.00
Mx + Assefa, TigstTigst Assefa  ETH
24 Sep 2023
Berlin Marathon Berlin  GER
2:09:13.00
Wo + Jepchirchir, PeresPeres Jepchirchir  KEN
21 Apr 2024
London Marathon London  GBR
100 miles (road)
12:42:40.00
Herron, CamilleCamille Herron  USA
11 Nov 2017
Tunnel Hill 100 Vienna  USA
12-hour run (track)
149,130 m
+ Herron, CamilleCamille Herron  USA
9 Dec 2017
Desert Solstice Track Invitational Phoenix  USA
12-hour run (road)
152,633 m
Stelmach, DominikaDominika Stelmach  POL
5 Jan 2023
Spartanion Race Tel Aviv  ISR
24-hour run (road)
270,116 m
Herron, CamilleCamille Herron  USA
26–27 Oct 2019
IAU 24 Hour World Championship Albi  FRA
48-hour run (road)
435,366 m
Herron, CamilleCamille Herron  USA
25–27 Mar 2023
Sri Chinmoy 48 Hour Festival Bruce  AUS
2000 m steeplechase
5:47.42
Beatrice Chepkoech  KEN
10 Sep 2023
Hanžeković Memorial Zagreb  CRO
200 m hurdles (bend)
24.80
+0.4
h Pedroso, YadisleidyYadisleidy Pedroso  ITA
6 Apr 2013
Caserta  ITA
25.60
−0.7
h Girard, PatriciaPatricia Girard  FRA
23 Aug 2001
Nantes  FRA
25.79
−0.6
Wells, LaurenLauren Wells  AUS
21 Jan 2017
AACT Combined Events Championships Canberra  AUS
200 m hurdles (straight)
24.86
+0.1
Salmon, ShiannShiann Salmon  JAM
23 May 2021
Adidas Boost Boston Games Boston  USA
300 m hurdles
36.86
Bol, FemkeFemke Bol  NED
31 May 2022
Ostrava Golden Spike Ostrava  CZE [89]
Tetradecathlon
10798 pts
Kelo, MillaMilla Kelo  FIN
8 Sep 2002
Turku  FIN
3000 m walk (track)
11:48.24
Salvador, IleanaIleana Salvador  ITA
29 Aug 1993
Padua  ITA
5000 m walk (track)
20:01.80
Giorgi, EleonoraEleonora Giorgi  ITA
18 May 2014
Italian Clubs League Meet Misterbianco  ITA
5 km walk (road)
19:46
Plätzer, KjerstiKjersti Plätzer  NOR
27 Aug 2006
Internationaler Geher-Cup Hildesheim  GER
10 km walk (road)
41:04.00
Nikolayeva, YelenaYelena Nikolayeva  RUS
20 Apr 1996
Russian Championships Sochi  RUS
30 km walk (road)
2:24:33.00
Pérez, PaolaPaola Pérez  ECU
22 Oct 2017
Hauppauge  USA
35 km walk (road)
2:38:24.00
Afanasyeva, KlavdiyaKlavdiya Afanasyeva  RUS
18 Feb 2019
Russian Winter Walking Championships Sochi  RUS
Sprint medley relay (1–1–2–4)
1:35.20
Destinee Brown
Aaliyah Brown
Kimberlyn Duncan
Raevyn Rogers
 USA
28 Apr 2018
Penn Relays Philadelphia  USA
Swedish relay (1–2–3–4)
2:01.10
Marina Zhirova
Yelena Mizera
Yelena Ruzina
Tatyana Alekseyeva
 RUS
5 June 1993
Portsmouth  GBR
Sprint medley relay (2-2-4-8)
3:34.56
Sherri-Ann Brooks
Rosemarie Whyte
Moya Thompson
Kenia Sinclair
 JAM
1 Apr 2009
Penn Relays Philadelphia  USA
4 × mile relay
18:39.58
Brenda Bushnell
Leann Warren
Kathy Hayes
Claudette Groenendaal
 USA
5 May 1985
Eugene  USA
4 × 100 m hurdles relay
50.50
Brianna Rollins
Dawn Harper-Nelson
Queen Harrison
Kristi Castlin
 USA
24 Apr 2015
Drake Relays Des Moines  USA

Indoor events

Men

Event Perf. N Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R
30 m
3.81
Martina, ChurandyChurandy Martina  NED
14 Nov 2008
Domino Day Amsterdam  NED
40 y
4.12
Coleman, ChristianChristian Coleman  USA
2 May 2017
Trial Knoxville  USA
50 y
5.22
Floyd, StanleyStanley Floyd  USA
22 Jan 1982
Los Angeles  USA
5.15
X Johnson, BenBen Johnson  CAN
29 Jan 1988
Toronto  CAN
5.00
h Clayton, KirkKirk Clayton  USA
10 Jan 1970
Calgary  CAN
Washington, HerbHerb Washington  USA
2 Feb 1972
Toronto  CAN
Pender, MelMel Pender  USA
4 Mar 1972
Orlando  USA
18 Mar 1972
Hamilton  CAN
Washington, HerbHerb Washington  USA
4 Feb 1973
Toronto  CAN
Ommer, ManfredManfred Ommer  FRG
14 Mar 1975
Leverkusen  FRG
60 y
5.80
h Washington, HerbHerb Washington  USA
12 Feb 1972
East Lansing  USA
hA Pender, MelMel Pender  USA
25 May 1973
Salt Lake City  USA
55 m
5.99
A Thompson, ObadeleObadele Thompson  BAR
22 Feb 1997
Colorado Springs  USA
70 y
6.80
h Pender, MelMel Pender  USA
27 Feb 1965
Mason-Dixon Games Louisville  USA
Wallace, CraigCraig Wallace  USA
27 Feb 1965
Mason-Dixon Games Louisville  USA
Highbaugh, LarryLarry Highbaugh  USA
14 Feb 1970
Mason-Dixon Games Louisville  USA
Green, JimJim Green  USA
14 Feb 1970
Mason-Dixon Games Louisville  USA
Pender, MelMel Pender  USA
13 Feb 1971
Mason-Dixon Games Louisville  USA
Ravelomanantsoa, Jean-LouisJean-Louis Ravelomanantsoa  MAD
1 Jun 1973
Mason-Dixon Games Louisville  USA
Edmondson, WarrenWarren Edmondson  USA
1 Jun 1973
Mason-Dixon Games Louisville  USA
Jackson, HarringtonHarrington Jackson  USA
1 Jun 1973
Mason-Dixon Games Louisville  USA
100 m
9.98
Bolt, UsainUsain Bolt  JAM
23 Aug 2014
Kamila Skolimowska Memorial Warsaw  POL
150 m
14.99
Bailey, DonovanDonovan Bailey  CAN
1 Jun 1997
Bailey–Johnson 150-metre race Toronto  CAN
300 y
29.27
Wright, TerronTerron Wright  USA
7 Feb 1981
Bloomington  USA
300 m
31.56
Gardiner, StevenSteven Gardiner  BAH
28 Jan 2022
South Carolina Invitational Columbia  USA
500 y
53.90
hA James, LarryLarry James  USA
25 May 1973
ITA meet Salt Lake City  USA
500 m
59.83
Haroun, AbdalelahAbdalelah Haroun  QAT
17 Feb 2016
Globen Galan Stockholm  SWE
600 y
1:06.93
Moitalel Naadokila  KEN
15 Feb 2020
Lubbock  USA
1:06.68
OT Jonathan Jones  BAR
26 Feb 2022
Big 12 Championships Ames  USA
600 m
1:13.77
Brazier, DonavanDonavan Brazier  USA
24 Feb 2019
USA Indoor Championships Staten Island  USA
1000 y
2:04.39
Gray, JohnnyJohnny Gray  USA
23 Feb 1986
San Diego  USA
1600 m
3:45.69
+ Kejelcha, YomifYomif Kejelcha  ETH
3 March 2019
Bruce Lehane Invitational Boston  USA
2000 m
4:49.99
Bekele, KenenisaKenenisa Bekele  ETH
17 Feb 2007
Aviva Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham  GBR
3200 m
7:57.89
+ Kerr, JoshJosh Kerr  GBR
11 Feb 2024
Millrose Games New York City  USA
Two miles
8:00.67
Kerr, JoshJosh Kerr  GBR
11 Feb 2024
Millrose Games New York City  USA
10,000 m
27:50.29
Bett, MarkMark Bett  KEN
10 Feb 2002
Indoor Flanders Meeting Ghent  BEL
Marathon
2:19:01
Malcolm Richards  USA
17 Mar 2018
The Armory Indoor Marathon New York City  USA
2000 m steeplechase
5:13.77
Koech, Paul KipsielePaul Kipsiele Koech  KEN
13 Feb 2011
Indoor Flanders Meeting Ghent  BEL
3000 m steeplechase
8:17.46
Zagoruyko, AleksandrAleksandr Zagoruyko  URS
21 Feb 1982
Moscow  URS
50 y hurdles
5.88
Foster, GregGreg Foster  USA
17 Jan 1986
Los Angeles  USA
60 y hurdles
6.82
Nehemiah, RenaldoRenaldo Nehemiah  USA
30 Jan 1982
Dallas  USA
55 m hurdles
6.89
Nehemiah, RenaldoRenaldo Nehemiah  USA
20 Jan 1979
New York City  USA
110 m hurdles
13.34
Johnson, AllenAllen Johnson  USA
14 Feb 1995
Moscow  RUS
300 m hurdles
34.26
OT Warholm, KarstenKarsten Warholm  NOR
10 Feb 2018
Avoimet Pirkanmaan Tampere  FIN
400 m hurdles
48.78
Sánchez, FélixFélix Sánchez  DOM
18 Feb 2012
Meeting National Val-de-Reuil Val-de-Reuil  FRA
Discus throw
69.51 m
Kanter, GerdGerd Kanter  EST
22 Mar 2009
World Record Indoor Challenge Växjö  SWE
Weight throw
26.35 m
A Daniel Haugh  USA
16 Feb 2024
USA Championships Albuquerque  USA
Javelin throw
85.78 m
Narhi, MattiMatti Närhi  FIN
3 Mar 1996
Kajaani  FIN
3000 m walk
10:30.28
Bosworth, TomTom Bosworth  GBR
25 Feb 2018
Glasgow Grand Prix Glasgow  GBR
Two miles walk
11:54.50
Kazlauskas, ValdasValdas Kazlauskas  URS
24 Feb 1990
Kaunas  URS
10,000 m walk
38:23.73
Wang Zhen, Wang Zhen  CHN
8 Feb 2015
Genoa  ITA
15,000 m walk
1:00:03.90
Kazlauskas, ValdasValdas Kazlauskas  URS
24 Jan 1987
Kaunas  URS
20,000 m walk
1:20:40.00
OT Weigel, RonaldRonald Weigel  GDR
27 Jan 1980
Senftenberg  GDR
Sprint medley relay
3:15.10
Mark Everett
James Trapp
Kevin Little
Butch Reynolds
 USA
14 Mar 1993
World Indoor Championships Toronto  CAN
Distance medley relay
9:19.42
Cole Hocker
Luis Peralta
Charlie Hunter
Cooper Teare
 USA
 DOM
 AUS
 USA
29 Jan 2021
Razorback Invitational Fayetteville  USA
4 × mile relay
16:03.68
David Ribich (4:08.2)
Henry Wynne (4:01.4)
Brannon Kidder (3:56.8)
Izaic Yorks (3:57.2)
 USA
26 Jan 2019
Dr. Sander Columbia Challenge New York City  USA
4 × 60y shuttle hurdle relay
27.6
A T.G. Parker
Joe Kahiapo
Ahart Powers
Dick McIntosh
 USA
21 Feb 1975
Colorado Springs  USA

Women

Event Perf. N Athlete(s) Nat. Date Meeting Location Ctry. R V
50 y
5.74
Ashford, EvelynEvelyn Ashford  USA
18 Feb 1983
San Diego  USA
60 y
6.54
Ashford, EvelynEvelyn Ashford  USA
7 Feb 1982
USA Indoor Track and Field Championships New York City  USA
Bolden, JeanetteJeanette Bolden  USA
21 Feb 1986
Los Angeles  USA
55 m
6.56
Torrence, GwenGwen Torrence  USA
14 Mar 1987
NCAA Oklahoma City  USA
100 y
10.15
Drechsler, HeikeHeike Drechsler  GDR
8 Feb 1987
Senftenberg  GDR
100 m
11.15
Koch, MaritaMarita Koch  GDR
12 Jan 1980
East Berlin  GDR
300 y
32.63
Ottey, MerleneMerlene Ottey  JAM
13 Mar 1982
Cedar Falls  USA
300 m
35.45
Privalova, IrinaIrina Privalova  RUS
17 Jan 1993
Moscow  RUS
Miller-Uibo, ShaunaeShaunae Miller-Uibo  BAH
3 Feb 2018
Millrose Games New York City  USA
500 y
1:00.61
A Miles-Clark, JearlJearl Miles-Clark  USA
19 Feb 2000
Pocatello  USA
500 m
1:05.63
Bol, FemkeFemke Bol  NED
4 Feb 2023
New Balance Indoor Grand Prix Boston  USA [90]
600 y
1:16.76
A Michaela Rose  USA
20 Jan 2024
Corky Classic Lubbock  USA
600 m
1:23.41
Hodgkinson, KeelyKeely Hodgkinson  GBR
28 Jan 2023
Manchester World Indoor Tour Manchester  GBR
1000 y
2:23.5
Clark, JoettaJoetta Clark  USA
9 Mar 1986
Gainesville  USA
1600 m
4:11.84
+ Dibaba, GenzebeGenzebe Dibaba  ETH
17 Feb 2016
Globen Galan Stockholm  SWE
2000 m
5:23.75
Dibaba, GenzebeGenzebe Dibaba  ETH
7 Feb 2017
Míting Internacional de Catalunya Sabadell  ESP
3200 m
8:57.34
+ Dibaba, GenzebeGenzebe Dibaba  ETH
15 Feb 2014
Aviva Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham  GBR
Two miles
9:00.48
Dibaba, GenzebeGenzebe Dibaba  ETH
15 Feb 2014
Aviva Indoor Grand Prix Birmingham  GBR
10,000 m
32:44.97
Michurina, OlgaOlga Michurina  RUS
23 Dec 1995
Saint Petersburg  RUS
Marathon
2:40:55
Scherf, LindseyLindsey Scherf  USA
17 Mar 2018
The Armory Indoor Marathon New York City  USA
55 m hurdles
7.30

A, Lott-Hogan, TiffanyTiffany Lott-Hogan  USA
22 Feb 1997
Colorado Springs  USA
100 m hurdles
12.64
Engquist, LudmilaLudmila Engquist  SWE
10 Feb 1997
Tampere  FIN
300 m hurdles
40.09
OT Tomb, StineStine Tomb  NOR
5 Feb 2011
Finland-Sweden-Norway Indoor Match Tampere  FIN
400 m hurdles
56.41
Tosta, SheenaSheena Tosta  USA
12 Feb 2011
Meeting National Val-de-Reuil  FRA
2000 m steeplechase
5:47.79
Mišmaš, MarušaMaruša Mišmaš  SLO
19 Feb 2020
Meeting Hauts de France Pas de Calais Liévin  FRA
3000 m steeplechase
9:07.00
Petrova, TatyanaTatyana Petrova  RUS
17 Feb 2006
Moscow  RUS
9:54.20
Lustigova, MarcelaMarcela Lustigova  CZE
11 Feb 2010
Botnia Games Korsholm  FIN
Discus throw
65.23 m
Mx Craft, ShaniceShanice Craft  GER
10 Feb 2023
ISTAF Indoor Berlin  GER
Weight throw
26.02 m
A Price, DeannaDeanna Price  USA
17 Feb 2023
USA Championships Albuquerque  USA
Javelin throw
57.75 m
Wessman, AnnaAnna Wessman  SWE
10 Mar 2012
World Indoor Throwing Växjö  SWE
61.29 m
Uppa, TainaTaina Uppa  FIN
28 Feb 1999
Korsholm  FIN
Mile walk
6:16.72
Eidikyte, SadaSada Eidikytė  URS
24 Feb 1990
Kaunas  URS
Two miles walk
13:11.88
Salvador, IleanaIleana Salvador  ITA
14 Feb 1990
Genoa  ITA
5000 m walk
20:10.30
Sokolova, VeraVera Sokolova  RUS
30 Dec 2010
Mordovian Indoor Championships Saransk  RUS
10,000 m walk
43:54.63
Ginko, YelenaYelena Ginko  BLR
22 Feb 2008
Belarusian Championships Mogilev  BLR
4 × 100 m relay
44.39
Anne-Kathrin Elbe
Anne Möllinger
Cathleen Tschirch
Marion Wagner
 GER
31 Jan 2010
BW-Bank Meeting Karlsruhe  GER
Sprint medley relay
3:45.90
Joetta Clark Diggs
Wendy Vereen
Kim Batten
Jearl Miles Clark
 USA
14 Mar 1993
World Indoor Championships Toronto  CAN
Distance medley relay
10:33.85
Heather McLean
Kendall Ellis
Roisin Willis
Elle Purrier St. Pierre
 USA
15 Apr 2022
Boston  USA

Running records by race distance

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Plusmarcas mundiales de atletismo para niños

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List of world records in athletics Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.