Steve Cram at 60
For those who remember Steve Cram as the world’s greatest teenage 1500m and mile runner, it’s hard getting your head around the fact that he has reached the grand old age of 60.
Now one of the world’s most respected broadcasters with a growing reputation as a coach and race organiser, it’s worth remembering that the Jarrow & Hebburn athlete was one of the world’s greatest runners and at his best – you would probably focus more on the five-year period between 1982 and 1986 – one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes.
He won most of his medals in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1986 but it was his 1985 year when he set three world records in 19 days that still seems remarkable 35 years on.
If it wasn't for injury, it could have been even more. There were glimpses in 1988 of him being almost back at his best but a frustrating fourth place in Seoul in an injury-ravaged year proved to be his last Olympic and global final.
Here we choose 60 of his best races over the years.
They are not chosen purely on time – for example a 3:33 1500m PB in his development years or a title won is deemed of more significance than a 3:33 at his peak in a grand prix race with pacemakers.
1
Mile: 1st 3:46.32 (world record)
Bislett Games, Oslo, July 27, 1985
Nine days after setting the 1500m world record, Cram took on Olympic champion Sebastian Coe and had no thoughts of the record as, after a slow third lap, he went through the bell ahead without any effort in 2:53.14.
However, he was full of running and by blasting through the last 200m in 25.39, he took over a second off Coe’s world mark. Jose Luis Gonzalez followed him home in 3:47.79 with a demoralised Coe third (3:49.22).
It lasted as a world record for eight years and 35 years later it is still an unchallenged European and British record and worldwide only three men have run faster.
Read Jason Henderson’s article on the 'dream mile' here.
2
1500m: 1st 3:29.67 (world record)
Nice, July 16, 1985
In one of the greatest and most notable middle-distance races, Cram made history with the first sub-3:30. He powered past 1200m in 2:49.66, yet he was almost caught in a dramatic sprint by Said Aouita’s African record 3:29.71.
Cram’s last 400m was 53.4 and it was the biggest advance in the world record since Jim Ryun 18 years earlier.
3
1500m: 1st 3:41.59
World Championships 1500m, Helsinki, August 14, 1983
Cram followed Said Aouita’s kick from 500m out and finished strongly (52.0 last lap and 1:49.0 last 800m) to comfortably become the first ever world champion as he won from Steve Scott (3:41.87) and Aouita (3:42.02) and he defeated a poor tactical Steve Ovett (3:42.34) for the first time.
4
800m: 1st 1:43.22
Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh July 31, 1986
Produced a devastating 25.0 last 200m in a fast race to improve his world lead as he easily beat Tom McKean (1:44.80) and Peter Elliott (1:45.42) as Coe withdrew due to illness.
5
1500m: 1st 3:41.09
European Championships, Stuttgart, August 31, 1986
After suffering a defeat to Coe at 800m, Cram bounced back to win easily with a powerful driving 50.8 last lap to leave Coe (3:41.67) well behind.
6
800m: 1st 1:42.88 (PB)
Zurich, August 21, 1985
In a year he set three world records, many were as shocked by this run as by his records as he easily kicked past Olympic 800m champion Joaquim Cruz (1:43.23) and took almost a second off his PB and go fourth all-time.
7
1000m: 1st 2:12.88 (PB)
Gateshead, August 9, 1985
But for very strong winds, he would have made it four world records in 24 days as he attacked Coe’s mark set on a perfect Oslo summer evening. He passed 800m in 1:44.94 but the wind proved too much and he fell short by 0.67 of a second with his UK all-comers' record. Only one athlete has gone quicker in the last 35 years and it still ranks third all-time.
8
1500m, 2nd 3:33.40
Olympic Games, Los Angeles, August 11, 1984
Still not 100% fit after injury and was unable to challenge Coe who was at his very best (3:32.53) and he was also way inside the old Olympic record and had to settle for a superb silver.
9
1500m: 1st 3:36.49
European Championships, Athens, September 11, 1982
When rival Graham Williamson fell, he pushed on and ran a brave 55.4 third lap and held on over a painful final circuit to win his first major senior title from Olympic 800m bronze medallist Nikolay Kirov (3:36.99).
10
2000m: 1st 4:51.39
Budapest, August 4, 1985
After already having broken 1500m and mile marks, he made it three records in 19 days as he ran a solo second half passing 1200m in 2:54.58 and 1600m in 3:53.95 and he beat Walker’s mark (4:51.4) by the narrowest of margins as he won by over 10 seconds from Sean Cahill (5:02.35).
READ MORE: Why autumn birthdays offer an advantage
11
1500m: 1st 3:42.37
Commonwealth Games, Brisbane, October 9, 1982
In a slow, tactical and messy race, he produced a 50.9 final lap to easily defeat John Walker (3:43.11) and Mike Boit (3:43.33).
12
Mile: 1st 3:52.56
IAC Coca-Cola Meeting, Crystal Palace, September 9, 1983
In one of the most fondly remembered domestic battles, in a great atmosphere, he controlled the last lap for a narrow win over Ovett (3:52.71) who had just regained the world record at 1500m five day earlier.
13
Two miles, 1st 8:14.93 (PB) (3000m 7:43.1 PB)
England International, Crystal Palace, August 29 1983
In his best ever race over the slightly longer distances and largely solo, he missed Ovett’s world best by a second.
14
800m: 1st 1:43.61 (PB)
Oslo, August 23, 1983
Nine days after becoming world 1500m champion, he smashed his PB with the year’s fastest time, chased hard all the way by World Champs 800m fourth-placer Peter Elliott (1:43.98).
15
1500m: 1st 3:31.34 (PB)
Oslo, June 27, 1985
Six days after a loss to Coe at 800m in the GB v USA match, improved his PB in his first major 1500m of the year as he easily defeated Scott (3:34.58) and go third all-time.
16
1500m: 1st 3:30.15
Brussels, September 5, 1986
Made a great attempt to regain his world record back from Aouita and up at 1200m (2:48.73) he had to settle for his second best ever time as he easily beat Olympic medallist Jose Abascal (3:33.98).
17
1500m: 1st 3:31.66 (PB)
Brussels, August 26, 1983
Three days after setting an 800m PB, he took two seconds off his PB and missed Ovett’s world record by just 0.3 of a second, well clear of José Luís González (3:33.44).
18
1 Mile: 4th 3:57.42 (PB)
Emsley Carr Mile: Crystal Palace, July 2, 1978
In his first ever mile he finished a fraction behind Brendan Foster and broke Jim Ryun’s world age-17 record.
19
3000m: 1st 8:05.18
European Junior Championships, July 14, 1979
Used his speed to win his first major title out-sprinting Jurgen Mattern (8:05.5) as fellow Brits Williamson and Steve Binns won the 1500m and 5000m respectively.
20
800m: 1st 1:43.19
Rieti, September 7, 1986
Went slightly quicker than his Commonwealth race that year to set a world lead as he won on the notoriously fast track from William Wuyke (1:43.54).
21
800m: 1st 1:43.62
Nice, July 15, 1986
Set the first of three world leads that year at 800m as he easily defeated Olympic bronze medallist Earl Jones (1:44.71) by over a second.
22
1500m: 1st 3:31.43
Zurich, August 19, 1987
Things were looking good a few weeks before the World Championships when he easily avenged his European Cup defeat to Gonzalez (3:33.01).
23
1500m: 2nd 3:35.52 (PB)
Talbot International Games, June 27, 1980
Pushing Ovett to within a few metres and closer than ever before (3:35.23), he set a world teenage record.
24
1500m: 5th 3:34.74 (PB)
Zurich, August 13, 1980
Post Olympics he improved his own world teenage record as Olympic champion Coe almost broke the world record with 3:32.19.
25
800m: 1st 1:44.45 (PB)
England v Spain v Japan v Kenya, Crystal Palace, July 1, 1982
He had never been regarded as a top-class half-miler but this changed when he took almost two seconds off his PB to lead the world throughout 1982 and he won this easily.
26
1000m: 1st 2:15.12 (PB)
IAC Coca Cola Meeting, September 17, 1982
In first race as European champion improved both his UK all-comers' record and world lead as he won by three seconds from Coe’s conqueror as European 800m champion Hans Peter Ferner (2:18.10).
27
Mile: 1st 3:48.31
Oslo, July 5, 1986
Poor pace-making ruined any record attempt but still set the world’s fastest time of the year a few metres up on Steve Scott (3:48.73).
28
Mile: 1st 3:48.85
Oslo, July 2, 1988
Looked every inch a future Olympic champion as with the world’s fastest time of the year, he won comfortably from Peter Elliott (3:49.20) and Jens Peter Herold (3:49.22) who would both ultimately defeat him in Seoul while world champion Abdi Bile (3:49.40) was fourth.
29
1500m: 1st 3:30.95
Brussels, August 19, 1988
No one would run faster this Olympic year as again he looked majestic winning by two seconds from Elliott (3:32.94).
30
1500m: 1st 3:33.66 (PB)
Zurich, August 18, 1982
The most competitive and best quality 1500m of the year saw a narrow win – his best yet – over Todd Harbour (3:33.99) and Steve Scott (3:34.18).
31
800m: 3rd 1:44.88
European Championships, Stuttgart, August 28, 1986
Was unable to reproduce his Commonwealth 800m dominance of a month earlier and was outkicked by Coe (1:44.50) and McKean (1:44.61) and suffered his only loss of the year but did complete a historic British 1-2-3.
32
1000m: 1st 2:15.84 (PB)
Thorn ET Games, August 7, 1982
Set an UK all-comers' record and world lead as he won by three seconds from future European 5000m champion Jack Buckner (2:18.88).
33
Mile: 1st 3:49.65 (PB)
Koblenz, August 29, 1984
Continued good post Olympic form to win in PB time very narrowly from former world record-holder Walker (3:49.73).
35
Mile: 2nd 3:49.90 (PB)
Cork, July 13, 1982
In his first major race of the year, he suffered his only notable defeat as Sydney Maree – who was to set a world 1500m record the following year – was just ahead in 3:49.42.
36
Mile: 6th 3:50.38 (PB) (3:35.3 1500m PB)
Oslo, July 11, 1981
Improved both 1500m and mile PB in a close finish won by Ovett in 3:49.25.
37
Mile: 3rd 3:49.95 (PB) (3:34.81 1500m PB)
Zurich, August 19, 1981
Again set two PBs in the same race as he ran his first sub 3:50 in a race won by Coe in a world record 3:48.53.
38
800m: 3rd 1:43.42
Zurich, August 17, 1988
Showed sharp form – his last ever sub-1:46 – but could not challenge Johnny Gray (1:42.65) who ran easily the fastest two-lapper of 1988.
39
800m: 1st 1:45.03
Gateshead Games, July 31, 1983
Still not at peak shape after an injury ravaged winter, came from way back to sprint past a fading Coe (1:45.31), who then withdrew from the upcoming World Championships.
40
1500m: 1st 3:50.87
Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh August 2, 1986
In near gale-force conditions, allowed a brave John Gladwin (3:52.17) to build up a big lead before unleashing a 24.9 last 200m and 51.3 last 400m as he won easily as the medallists were covered by well over three seconds in a disappointing quality race.
READ MORE: Cram’s dream mile
41
Mile: 1st 3:49.49
Crystal Palace, 12 September, 1986
Ended a successful season with a clear win just short of his world lead.
42
5000m: 13:28.58 (PB)
UK Championships, Jarrow, June 3, 1989
His best (and fastest ever) 5000m was achieved in outsprinting British 10,000m champion Eamonn Martin (13:30.20).
43
800m: 1st 1:44.16
AAA Championships (Olympic Trials) Birmingham, August 6, 1988
His final AAA title saw him win easily from Tom McKean (1:45.10).
44
1500m: 1st 3:43.71
European Cup, Moscow, August 17, 1985
A slow tactical race won with a 24.7 last 200m and 51.4 final circuit which destroyed the field including 1978 European 800m champion Olaf Beyer (3:44.96) who had defeated Ovett and Coe in Prague.
45
1500m: 1st 3:36.14
AAA Championships, Crystal Palace, July 25, 1986
Retained his title, improving his championships record, well ahead of Commonwealth medallist John Robson (3:39.07) again.
46
1500m: 1st 3:36.82
AAA Championships, Crystal Palace, August 4, 1981
He won his first AAA Championships title and set a championships record as he also beat Robson (3:37.42) into second.
47
4x800m: 1st GBR (1:44.54 third leg)
Heinz British Games, August 30, 1982
In windy conditions alongside Elliott, Garry Cook and Coe, Britain set a world record with his own contribution being laps of 50.5 and 54.1
48
3000m:1st 7:47.82 (PB)
England v Hungary v Norway, Gateshead, July 26, 1981
Won comfortably from IAAF Golden 5000m winner Barry Smith (7:49.64)
49
Mile: 2nd 3:53.8 (PB)
Oslo, July 1, 1980
Steve Ovett won by five seconds in a world record 3:48.8 but behind him more importantly for Cram he beat Graham Williamson (3:56.4) to secure the third Olympic team spot.
50
3000m: 1st 8:03.14 (PB)
AAA Championships, Junior 3000m, July 14, 1979
In front of a big crowd at the senior championships, Cram had too much speed for fellow future senior major championships medallists Steve Binns and Colin Reitz.
51
1000m: 1st 2:16.20
Stockholm, June 30, 1987
In a disappointing season, he set a world lead and beat the world 800m champion to be Billy Konchellah (2:17.21) by a second.
52
Mile: 1st 3:50.08
Oslo, July 4, 1987
In good early season form enjoyed a clear win over future world medallist Jim Spivey (3:51.91).
53
Mile: 2nd 3:57.03 (PB)
IAC Coca-Cola Meeting, Crystal Palace, September 14, 1979
Finished a long season with a good run behind Ovett (3:55.3).
54
1500m: 1st 3:42.7 (PB)
Durham Schools, June 16 1978
Followed up an a UK age-16 record at Gateshead of 3:47.7 in 1977 with this big PB as he ran solo in windy conditions passing 800m in 1:59 and beating fellow future international Geoff Turnbull by 16 seconds.
55
1500m: 1st 3:40.09 (PB)
UK v Germany U20, Crystal Palace, August 28, 1978
Set a PB and UK age 17 best in gaining a rare win over the slightly older and fellow junior star Graham Williamson.
56
1500m: 2nd 3:33.03
Sheffield, September 16, 1990
While he always usually had the edge in the 1980s (bar the Seoul final), Elliott was ahead in the new decade and won a great battle here. This was Cram’s last ever sub-3:34.
57
1500m: 4th 3:36.24
Olympic Games, Seoul, October 1, 1988
Was not in his early season form after injury as the race was won by Peter Rono, who gained the only notable victory of his life by controlling the last 800m to win in 3:35.96 from Elliott (3:36.15) and Herold (3:36.21) who denied the Briton a medal by 0.03 of a second.
58
1500m: 4th 3:43.55
Olympic Games semi-final, Moscow, July 31, 1980
Still a teenager, he went on to finish a fine eighth in the final in 3:41.98 but he arguably showed better form in the semi-final as he qualified by inches with a late run to catch Russian Vladimir Malozemlin as Ovett won in 3:43.1.
59
1500m, 8th 3:41.59
World Championships, Rome, September 6, 1987
Looked good in his semi-final (3:35.78) and a good chance of defending his title when he blazed a 25.41 200m from the 1000m mark but Abdi Bile easily covered him and he gave up in the straight and was passed by a number of runners he had beaten all year. Bile, who ran a 1:46.6 last 800m and 2:16.6 last 1000m won in 3:36.80 from Gonzalez (3:38.03) and Spivey (3:38.82).
60
1500m: 5th 3:39.08
European Championships 1500m, Split, September 1, 1990
All the fuss was on the favourite Elliott who was allowed into the final after falling in his heat but it was Seoul medallist Herold who won in 3:38.35 after a less than fully fit Cram led at the bell (2:47) and was beaten by his fellow Brit by a hundredth of a second.
Footnote
There is no room for his Northern cross-country title in 1985 or his 67:28 Great North Run in the middle of the summer in 1981.
Also just missing are a string of quality sub-2:16 1000m races (at Loughborough in 1984, Edinburgh in 1985 and Crystal Palace and Birmingham in 1986).
His AAA Championships 800m win in 1984 (1:46.84), the AAA 1500m win in 3:41.69 in 1983 and a 4:55.20 2000m win over Peter Elliott in 1988 also fall short by the narrowest of margins.
Also not making this top 60 are his European Cup 1500m (3:45.54) defeat in 1987 by Jose Luis Gonzalez despite a 50.2 last lap and his Commonwealth Games debut in the heats at 17 (3:44.83).
The final omissions were a two miles in 1988 (8:17.79) when world indoor champion Frank O’Mara beat him by a hundredth of a second and a 3:33.13 1500m win in Budapest in a world record attempt in 1984 that faded after a too fast 1:50.5 800m.
(Photo by Mark Shearman)
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