[3] Middle-distance running is unique in that it typically requires attributes found in both sprinters and long-distance runners, including combinations of both footspeed and aerobic endurance.
Middle-distance racing is commonly reported to be a highly intense physical experience, requiring large amounts of anaerobic exertion from the body.
[5] In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Martin McGrady, who had minimal success at longer or shorter races, made his reputation, set world records and drew many fans to arenas to watch him race elite competitors, including Olympians, at this unusual distance.
This middle-distance length is rather uncommon and is mainly run by sprinters wishing to test their endurance at a longer distance.
Johnny Gray (United States) holds the record for men: 1:12.81 set at Santa Monica on 24 May 1986.
Caster Semenya (South Africa) holds the women's record: 1:21.77 set at Berlin on 27 August 2017.
Also known as the metric mile, this is a premier middle-distance race, covering three and three-quarters laps around a standard Olympic-sized track.
While this race is rarely run outside high school and collegiate invitational competitions, it has been held at the international level.
Otherwise, on a metric track, there will be a relay zone 10 meters before the common start/finish line, frequently marked by a triangle pointed toward the finish.
This length of middle-distance race, 1,760 yards (1,609.344 m), is very common in countries that do not use the metric system, and is still often referred to as the "Blue Riband" of the track.
It is still raced on the world-class level, but usually only on select occasions, like the famous Wanamaker Mile, held annually at the Millrose Games.
Running a mile in less than four minutes is a famously difficult achievement, long thought impossible by the scientific community.
The records at this distance were set by Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) (7:17.55, Silesia, 25 August 2024) and Junxia Wang (China) (8:06.11, Beijing, 13 September 1993).
[9] At exactly eight laps on a standard 400 m track, this event is typically run only in American high schools, along with the 1600 m. It is colloquially called the "two-mile", as the distance is only 18.688 metres shorter.
The first man to break the four-minute barrier for both miles was Daniel Komen (Kenya) at Hechtel, Belgium on 19 July 1997 in a time of 7:58.61.
One barrier per lap is placed in front of a water pit, meaning that runners are also forced to deal with the chafing of wet shoes as they race.