Two-lap athletes taking on the world
British 800m running is enjoying an exciting renaissance in 2020.
As of September 29, Britain had five of the world’s top 15 men and 12 of the top 100 (all in the top 70) with the USA next best on 10.
British athletes gained a 1-2-3 in Zagreb and have some top juniors coming through – that was evident thanks to a clean sweep of the medals in the European Under-20 Championships, even with the absence of Britain’s fastest junior Max Burgin.
READ MORE: Daniel Rowden delivers in Zagreb
British champion Daniel Rowden leads the way but the likes of Jake Wightman, Elliot Giles, Burgin and Kyle Langford are all in the all-time British top 20 and creeping forward all the time.
British two-lap running is probably in its healthiest state since the 1980 Olympics when Britain gained a one-two in Moscow.
While that seems highly unlikely to happen in Tokyo next year, Britain can look forward to the Olympics with great anticipation in the knowledge that next year’s trials will be one of the most competitive in history.
We give details of Britain’s fastest 20 male runners in the October issue of AW magazine and the updated list is below (taking into account Giles’ recent run in Doha).
Here in celebration of AW’s 75 years we expand the list to the top 75 all-time, plus add a few interesting ones from the rest of the top 100.
1. 1:41.73, Sebastian Coe, Florence, ITA, 10 Jun 81
The 40th anniversary of this run, Coe’s second world outdoor mark, is reached next year. It lasted as a world record for 16 years, comprised lap times of 49.7 and 52.0 and he won by over five seconds.
2. 1:42.88, Steve Cram, Zurich, SUI, 21 Aug 85
In a year when he broke three world records in 19 days at longer distances, Cram easily defeated Olympic champion Joachim Cruz to make him then the fourth-fastest ever at the distance.
3. 1:42.97, Peter Elliott, Seville, ESP, 30 May 90
The Yorkshireman was in the form of his life after a winter that saw him win Commonwealth 1500m gold and set a world indoor record. This was the world’s fastest time of the year.
4. 1:43.77, Andrew Osagie, Olympic Park, 9 Aug 12
He finished eighth and last in the Olympic final in what was the greatest 800m race in history, won by David Rudisha’s world record 1:40.91
5. 1:43.84, Martin Steele, Oslo, NOR, 10 Jul 93
This huge breakthrough victory (1.4 seconds PB) saw him go into the 1993 World Championships as world leader but he exited in the semi-finals.
6. 1:43.88, Tom McKean, Crystal Palace, 28 Jul 89
The Scot won World Cup, World Indoor, European Indoor and European Cup titles and here outsprinted Olympic champion Paul Ereng in an exciting GB v Kenya match.
7. 1:43.89, Michael Rimmer, Rieti, ITA, 29 Aug 10
The multi British champion finished fourth in this late-season race during a year in which he won European silver.
8. 1:43.98, David Sharpe, Zurich, SUI, 19 Aug 92
This was from winning the Zurich B race (faster than the A race) in a season when Sharpe won the World Cup, defeating Olympic champion William Tanui, but he failed to make Britain’s Olympic team.
9. 1:44.09, Steve Ovett, Prague, CZE, 31 Aug 78
The future Olympic champion achieved this time in defeating Coe in the Europeans but he sensationally lost to East German Olaf Beyer (1:43.84), who never showed the same form again.
9. 1:44.09, Daniel Rowden, Zagreb, CRO, 15 Sep 20
The 2020 British champion kicked to victory in Zagreb and was followed home by two fellow Britons.
11. 1:44.18, Jake Wightman, Ostrava, CZE, 8 Sep 20
Though he lost to Rowden a week later, the Scot ran a similar time when sprinting to victory in the Czech Republic.
12. 1:44.52, Jamie Webb, Olympic Park, 20 Jul 19
The European indoor runner-up enjoyed a big-time breakthrough in finishing sixth in the Diamond League.
13. 1:44.55, Garry Cook, Koblenz, GER, 29 Aug 84
The husband of top British sprinter Kathy set his time finishing fourth in the atmospheric German meeting in a year when he contributed a 44.74 leg to Britain’s Olympic silver medal-winning 4x400m team.
14. 1:44.56, Elliot Giles, Doha, QAT, 25 Sep 20
The third-best 2020 performance in the all-time lists, set finishing second in Doha as he was rewarded with a brave run to move up from 18th when we originally went to press with this list.
15. 1:44.59, Tony Morrell, Oslo, NOR, 2 Jul 88
Set this time finishing third in Oslo during a year when he was still well short of making a quality British Olympic team.
16. 1:44.65, Ikem Billy, Oslo, NOR, 21 Jul 84
The then European junior champion enjoyed a breakthrough win at the age of 20 but was not able to go faster in his later career.
16. 1:44.65, Steve Heard, Koblenz, GER, 26 Aug 92
The 45.74 runner won this race in a year when he made the Olympic semi-final.
16. 1:44.65, James McIlroy, Rieti, ITA, 28 Aug 05
Finished fourth in the 1998 Europeans for Ireland before switching to GB and set this time in finishing third in the popular late-season Italian meet. Organised the recent half-marathon in Antrim won by Mo Farah.
19. 1:44.73, Guy Learmonth, Olympic Park, 22 Jul 18
His only sub-1:45 performance was achieved when taking seventh place in the Diamond League during a year in which he ran in both the Commonwealths and Europeans.
20. 1:44.75, Max Burgin, Stretford, 11 Aug 20
Britain’s fastest ever junior continued his remarkable improvement with a big win in a solo second lap in the BMC race.
21. 1:44.83, Kyle Langford, Monaco, MON, 14 Aug 20
The fast-finishing 2018 Commonwealth Games runner-up, who just missed a world medal in 2017, continues his improvement on time with fifth place in the Diamond League race.
22. 1:44.92, Curtis Robb, Stuttgart, GER, 15 Aug 93
Set his best at the age of 21 in a world Championships semi - beating the eventual winner Paul Ruto, who only qualified as a fastest loser. The Liverpool athlete finished a brilliant fourth in the final.
23. 1:44.98, Gareth Warburton, Oslo, NOR, 7 Jun 12
This win in the Bislett Games helped the Welsh athlete make the Olympic 2012 team as he was then only fourth in the trials and had to resort to an appeal after originally being ignored for selection.
24. 1:45.05, Matthew Yates, Koblenz, GER, 26 Aug 92
The 1990 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist focused more on 1500m thereafter and set this time finishing third in the race won by Heard in a year he was an Olympic semi-finalist at the longer distance.
25. 1:45.10, Richard Hill, Watford, 10 Jun 06
Achieved in a high-quality BMC victory but never broke 1:46 before or after.
26. 1:45.12, Andrew Carter, Crystal Palace, 14 Jul 73
The Olympic finalist and European medallist (and now top coach) achieved his time in winning a superb AAA race, in which a very young Ovett set a world age 17 record behind him.
27. 1:45.14, Chris McGeorge, Oslo, NOR, 28 Jun 83
The 1982 Commonwealth bronze medallist was only fifth-ranked Briton in 1983 and he achieved it as with the four ahead in the Norwegian capital in three different races.
27. 1:45.14, John Gladwin, Paris (JB), FRA, 22 Jul 86
The Belgrave Harrier was more of a 1500m runner at this stage, and he finished third in this race just before finishing second in the Commonwealth Games 1500m.
29. 1:45.31, Rob Harrison, Oslo, NOR, 21 Jul 84
Set this time in finishing fourth in a race won by Ikem Billy and the following winter went on to win the European Indoor title.
30. 1:45.35, Kevin McKay, Cologne, GER, 16 Aug 92
Achieved this time in fourth place in the German meet, a few weeks after being an Olympic 1500m semi-finalist.
30. 1:45.35, Josh Kerr, Azusa, USA, 9 Jul 19
The young Scot, a former NCAA 1500m champion, finished third in the American race and went on to finish sixth in the World Championships 1500m later in the season.
32. 1:45.44, Neil Horsfield, Wrexham, 28 Jul 90
Finished third in the Welsh Games a month before making the European Championships 1500m final in Split.
33. 1:45.47, Brian Whittle, Crystal Palace, 20 Jul 90
The 45.22 400m performer finished sixth in the Parcelforce Games in a year he finished fourth in the Commonwealth Games. Won the Scottish masters indoor high jump title this year.
34. 1:45.53, Charlie Da'Vall Grice, Olympic Park, 22 Jul 16
The British indoor and outdoor 1500m champion that year finished ninth in a quality Diamond League race won by future world champion Pierre-Ambroise Bosse in 1:43.88.
35. 1:45.57, Thomas Staines, Nashville, USA, 2 Jun 18
The son of European 5000m silver medallist Gary Staines won this race with a one second PB.
36. 1:45.6, Graham Williamson, Loughborough, 12 Jun 83
Still the British junior 1500m record-holder set his best time behind Coe in a year he was a semi-finalist in the first World Championships, which sadly proved to be his last major event.
37. 1:45.64, Paul Herbert, Derby, 5 Jun 88
At the age of 20 enjoyed a breakthrough to sprint to the UK title in Olympic year in a quality field but did not feature in the trials final and was unable to fulfil potential
38. 1:45.66, Paul Forbes, Florence, ITA, 8 Jun 83
The double Commonwealth Games finalist finished second in his race and is still going strong and tops the 2020 M60 rankings.
39. 1:45.67, Sam Ellis, Watford, 10 Jun 06
Set a two-second PB to finish third behind Hill and then went on to finish a shock third in that year’s Europeans.
39. 1:45.67, Mukhtar Mohammed, Olympic Park, 26 Jul 13
Finished 10th in the Diamond League in a year he won the European indoor bronze medal.
41. 1:45.68, Mark Sesay, Crystal Palace, 7 Aug 99
Sadly no longer with us, the former junior finished sixth in the British Grand Prix race in a year he ran for Britain in the World Championships.
42. 1:45.69, Steve Crabb, Zurich, SUI, 17 Aug 88
Finished fourth in the Zurich B race in a year he ran for Britain in the Olympic 1500m.
42. 1:45.69, Craig Winrow, Zagreb, CRO, 21 Jun 96
Now a top coach, the 1989 European junior champion set his time in finishing second in Croatia in a year he made the semi-finals in the 1996 Olympics.
44. 1:45.70, Ricky Soos, Athens, GRE, 25 Aug 04
The 2001 European junior bronze medallist set his best in his Olympic heat and made the semi finals in Athens but was unable to break 1:48 in future seasons due to injury.
45. 1:45.71, Andy Hart, Kuala Lumpur, MAS, 19 Sep 98
Achieved in finishing fifth and leading Briton in the Commonwealth Games final.
46. 1:45.74, Darren St. Clair Crystal Palace, 13 Aug 10
His only sub-1:46 came finishing fourth in the London Grand Prix where he was surprisingly leading Brit and went on to make the Commonwealth final that year.
47. 1:45.76, Frank Clement, Zurich, SUI, 10 Jul 76
Set his time finishing third in Zurich and then shortly after went on to make the Olympic semi and then was a close fifth in the 1500m final.
47. 1:45.76, Tom Lancashire, Atlanta, USA, 13 May 06
Set his best while at college in the USA and went on to make the 2012 Olympic 1500m team.
49. 1:45.81, David Strang, Crystal Palace, 12 Jul 96
The European indoor 1500m champion and world indoor runner-up was seventh and leading Briton in the London Grand Prix and went on to run in the Olympic heats at 800m.
49 . 1:45.81, Anthony Whiteman, Crystal Palace, 5 Aug 00
The 1998 Commonwealth Games 1500m medallist gained a surprise British Grand Prix win and went on to break multi world records as a veteran.
49. 1:45.81, Neil Speaight, Potchefstroom, RSA, 8 Apr 03
Set his time winning an early season race in South Africa in a year he had won the British indoor title.
52. 1:45.82, Jason Lobo, Crystal Palace, 7 Aug 99
Set his best time in finishing seventh in the British Grand Prix and the former policeman was in the news for being jailed for three years in 2017.
53. 1:45.86, Mal Edwards, Edinburgh, 31 Jul 86
The Welsh athlete peaked in the 1986 Commonwealth Games with his fast time coming with a fine fifth place in a race won by Cram in 1:43.22.
54. 1:45.96, James Bowness, Ninove, BEL, 23 Jul 16
Second place in a Belgian race saw him achieve his one sub-1:46 effort.
55. 1:46.08, Spencer Thomas, Tonbridge, 30 Aug 19
Surprise British champion in 2019 went on to win European under-23 silver and set his best in a close race for second place in Tonbridge.
56. 1:46.10, Gary Marlow, Crystal Palace, 10 Jul 87
His breakthrough run was achieved by a fifth place at the Grand Prix in a race won by Tony Morrell.
57. 1:46.1, Colin Campbell, Helsinki, FIN, 26 Jul 72
The 45.9 400m man, who ran in two Olympics and was also in the 1976 Olympic bobsleigh team, set a surprise British record in finishing second to Olympic 1500m champion-to-be Pekka Vasala.
58. 1:46.12, Neil Gourley, Azusa, USA, 9 Jul 19
Surprise world championships 2019 finalist set his PB in the same race in America as fellow Scot Kerr and he finished sixth.
59. 1:46.16, Gareth Brown, Stockholm, SWE, 2 Jul 84
Welsh athlete excelled in big Stockholm meeting where he was sixth.
60. 1:46.20, David Warren, Porsgrunn, NOR, 29 Jun 80
Won the race in Norway and the former steeplechaser later went on to make the Olympic final and led the race finally won by Ovett.
60. 1:46.20, Joe Thomas, Oordegem, BEL, 26 Jul 08
The 2010 Commonwealth finalist enjoyed a big breakthrough in this Belgian race taking nearly two seconds off his PB with his third place finish.
62. 1:46.21, Pete Browne, Crystal Palace, 14 Jul 73
The 1971 European fifth-placer matched that position in this AAA Championships race and went on to set a long standing British M40 record of 1:51.25 in 1990.
63. 1:46.24, Piers Copeland, Göteborg, SWE, 29 Aug 20
Took almost two seconds off his outdoor PB in finishing third in Sweden in a season which has seen him show significant improvement at 1500m too.
64. 1:46.26, Phil Lewis, Christchurch, NZL, 27 Jan 74
Welsh athlete enjoyed his greatest race in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals (after a heat in the morning!) to make a world-class final where he ended up eighth.
65. 1:46.27, Mike East, Newham, 31 Jul 04
The 2002 Commonwealth Games 1500m champion set his time winning a British League race, in a year that he was sixth in the Olympic 1500m.
66. 1:46.3, Chris Carter, Budapest, HUN, 4 Sep 66
The 1964 and 1968 Olympian set this British record time in finishing a close fourth in the European Championships.
67. 1:46.32, Andy Baddeley, Watford, 30 Jun 07
The 2008 Oslo Dream Mile winner set his best time winning his only 800m race of the year in a season he was a world finalist.
68. 1:46.33, Jimmy Watkins, Watford, 10 Jun 06
The Welsh athlete set his time in finishing fourth in the big BMC event in a season he was a surprise world indoor finalist.
69. 1:46.34, Michael Coltherd, Watford, 10 Jun 06
Ran seven 800m races in 2006 and this huge PB (inches behind Watkins) was almost five seconds quicker than any of his other two-lappers that year.
70. 1:46.37, Andrew Lill, Birmingham, 28 Jun 92
The 1990 world junior finalist set the time in finishing sixth in a very high quality Olympic trial.
71. 1:46.4, Paul Walker, Stretford, 22 Jul 97
Scot set his best time winning a BMC race in a year he was third in the British Championships and ran for Britain in the World Championships.
72. 1:46.43, Theo Blundell, Kessel-Lo, BEL, 8 Aug 15
Fourth in a fast race in Belgium came in his best season where he ran for Britain in the European Under-23 Championships.
73. 1:46.51, John Boulter, London (WC), 18 Jun 66
Another double Olympian set a British record in winning against Russia on White City’s cinder track.
74. 1:46.6, Derek Johnson, Oslo, NOR, 9 Aug 57
The 1956 Olympic silver medallist finished second in Oslo and it lasted as British record until 1965.
75. 1:46.63, Peter Hoffman, Crystal Palace, 11 Jun 78
The 46.76 400m performer set his time in a match against East Germany in a year he ran in both the Europeans and Commonwealths.
76. 1:46.64, David Moorcroft, Crystal Palace, 25 Jul 82
The 1978 and 1982 Commonwealth 1500m and 5000m champion smashed his two-lap best as he finished fifth in the AAA final in a year he sensationally broke the world 5000m record.
81. 1:46.71, Ben Pattison, Bedford, 23 Jun 19
The European under-20 runner-up is still a junior in 2020 set his time in finishing second to Burgin in the National under-20s.
85. 1:46.78, Joshua Lay, Bromley, 21 Aug 20
The European junior 1500m bronze medallist made a good breakthrough winning in breezy conditions in this Twilight meet.
89. 1:46.82, Alex Botterill, Bromley, 21 Aug 20
Like Lay in his first senior year and followed him home in second at Bromley for his first sub-1:47.
90. 1:46.84, Oliver Dustin, Watford, 29 Jun 19
The European under-20 champion after finishing eighth in the British under-20s set his time winning the Watford Grand Prix B race.
95. 1:46.93, Yusuf Bizimana, Stretford, 15 Sep 20
The latest Briton to break 1:47 did so in winning the BMC race.
99. 1:47.0, Brian Hewson, Colombes, FRA, 13 Sep 58
The 1958 European 1500m champion won this match race against France by the smallest margin.
99. 1:47.0, Mike Rawson, Colombes, FRA, 13 Sep 58
Just lost to Hewson in France having earlier won the European two-lap title and went on to become a well-known athletics journalist in the Midlands.
(Photo by Mark Shearman)
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