However, the 3000 m does require some anaerobic conditioning, and an elite athlete needs to develop a high tolerance to lactic acid, as does the mile runner.

It has not been contested at any of the IAAF outdoor championships, but it is occasionally hosted at annual elite track and field meetings.

In women's athletics, 3000 metres was a standard event in the Olympic Games (1984 to 1992)[2] and World Championships (1980 to 1993).

[3] The event was discontinued at World Championship and Olympic level after the 1993 World Championships in Athletics, with Qu Yunxia being the final gold medal winner at the event.

Skilled runners in this event reach speeds near vVO2max, for which the oxygen requirements of the body cannot continuously be satisfied,[4] requiring some anaerobic effort.