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35-709: 800m (Outdoors): 2:00.87 (2018) 800m (Indoors): 2:06.70 (2011) 1000m (Indoors): 2:38.33 (2017) 1,500m (Outdoors): 4:04.17 (2015) 1,500m (Indoors): 4:14.52 (2018) Mile (Outdoors): 4:25.04 (2016) Mile (Indoors): 4:31.63 (2018) Lauren Johnson (born May 4, 1987) is a middle-distance runner from the United States . She competed in the Women's 1500 metres event at the 2015 World Championships in Athletics in Beijing, China. The former Oregon Track Club Elite athlete placed 4th at

70-525: A 4:06.20 1600m in her 2023 world record mile of 4:07.64. 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. When World Athletics (then known as the International Amateur Athletic Federation) decided in 1976 to recognize only world records for metric distances, it made an exception for

105-423: A metric track is to run the additional 9.344 meters before starting the first marked 400-meter lap. Many tracks, especially high-level tracks, will have a waterfall starting line drawn 9.344 meters back for this purpose. 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. In many configurations, that triangle

140-718: A program of forced doping by the coaches. Johnson was fired. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2023. Johnson continues to coach former Huntington University runner, Addy Wiley . Born and raised in Huntington, Indiana , she attended Huntington North High School prior to Huntington University , where she earned a degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology. At Huntington University, Johnson earned All-American honors in track, cross country, and basketball. On her multi-sport background, she said, "I started playing basketball when I

175-472: 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. In college, the typical runner of this event would convert to the 5,000-metre run (or potentially the 3,000-metre run during the indoor season). In most eastern American high schools, colleges, and middle schools, this event

210-588: Is a retired American world class 800 meter runner from the mid-1980s to the late 1990s and the holder of the 600m world best. A four-time-Olympian (1984-1996) in 1985 he set the US record of 1:42.60 at a meet in Koblenz . That time puts Gray as the nineteenth fastest performer of all time. He came seventh in the 1984 Summer Olympics , fifth in 1988 , and won the bronze medal at the Barcelona Olympics of 1992. In 1993 Gray

245-411: Is about half a meter wide, making its point extremely close to the mile start line, which would be slightly less than two feet from the marked relay zone (the widest part of the triangle, or line). When converted down to 1600m, Hicham El Guerrouj ran an equivalent of a 3:41.83 1600m in his 1999 world record mile of 3:43.13. Likewise, when converted down to 1600m, Faith Kipyegon ran an equivalent of

280-442: Is believed to be the fastest man at this distance: 2:44.75, Rieti, 2002. This distance is short of three quarters of a mile (1,320 yards or 1,207m) by about 7 metres. 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. In recent years, races over this distance have become more of a prolonged sprint, with each lap averaging 55 seconds for

315-406: Is commonly reported to be a highly intense physical experience, requiring large amounts of anaerobic exertion from the body. A very uncommon middle-distance event that is sometimes run by sprinters for muscle stamina training. This was a popular distance, particularly indoors, when imperial distances were common. In the era of wooden 11 lap to a mile tracks (common prior to metrication), this

350-428: Is held by Noah Ngeny ( Kenya ) (2:11.96, Rieti , 5 September 1999), while Svetlana Masterkova (Russia) set the women's record (2:28.98, Brussels , 23 August 1996). See also 1000 metres world record progression . Three laps. A distance seldom raced on its own, but commonly raced as part of the distance medley relay . There are no recorded world records or world bests. However, Hicham El Guerrouj ( Morocco )

385-449: Is rather uncommon and is mainly run by sprinters wishing to test their endurance at a longer distance. Like other middle-distance races, it evolved from the 600 yard race. The 600 m is also used as an early season stepping stone by 800 m runners before they have reached full race fitness. 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

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420-406: Is the official distance for this range of races in US high schools . While this race is rarely run outside high school and collegiate invitational competitions, it has been held at the international level. The 1500 m, however, is the most common distance run at the college and international levels. The final leg of a distance medley relay is 1600 metres. An accurate way to run an actual mile on

455-470: Is the women's world record holder, with her time of 5:19.70, ran in 2024. The 2000m is not an official world record event indoors. Truly on the borderline between middle and longer distances, the 3000 m (7.5 laps) is a standard race in the United States. Between 1983 and 1993 it was a world championship event for women at the outdoor World Athletics Championships and Olympics . The 1984 Olympic race

490-429: Is usually considered a long-distance event, depending on the region. It is the longest track distance run in most high school competitions. Jakob Ingebrigtsen ran an equivalent of a 7:51.35 3200m in his 2023 world best of 7:54.10 in the two mile run. Meseret Defar ran an equivalent of an 8:55.45 3200m in her 2007 world best of 8:58.58 in the two mile run. This length of long middle-distance or short long-distance race

525-563: The 2015 USA Track & Field Championships , but she did not have an "A" standard qualifying time to punch her automatic ticket to the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing. On July 18 in Heusden-Zolder , Belgium at the 2015 KBC Night of Athletics meet, Johnson placed second, clocking 4:04.17 to secure her spot on Team USA . Johnson won the 2016 Sir Walter Miler in a meet, outdoor North Carolina state and personal record of 4:25.04 (and her first sub-4:30 Mile), and six days later, at

560-518: The Santa Monica Track Club , coached by Merle McGee. When he qualified for the 1996 Olympics by winning the 1996 Olympic Trials on his 36th birthday, he became the oldest male American track athlete to qualify for the Olympics. Other older athletes who qualified were throwers, race walkers, marathoners and pole vaulter Jeff Hartwig . Joetta Clark holds the same honor for women. Having led

595-480: The four-minute barrier was Englishman Roger Bannister at Oxford in 1954. The current record holders are Hicham El Guerrouj ( Morocco ) (3:43.13, Rome, 7 July 1999) and Faith Kipyegon ( Kenya ) (4:07.64, Monaco, 21 July 2023). The men's world record is held by Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen , who ran a time of 4:43.13 in 2023, beating the previous record held by Hicham El Guerrouj ( Morocco ) (4:44.79, Berlin, 7 September 1999). Jessica Hull of Australia

630-649: The Gray zone" in his honor. This tactic also resulted in some devastating failures as in the 1987 and 1993 World Championships when he jogged to the finish of quarterfinal races, depleted and defeated. He walked to the finish of the 1980 Olympic Trials . He was inducted into the United States National Track and Field Hall of Fame Dec. 2008. Also member of Santa Monica College Hall of Fame, Millrose Games in NYC Hall of Fame, Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame, and obtained

665-458: The Olympic 800 m race at the 1992 Summer Olympics with a blazing first lap at better than world record pace, Gray was passed twice during the final lap to claim the bronze medal. A reporter later asked him what he would have done differently if he could run the race a second time, and it is rumored that he responded, "I would have taken it out harder." Runners refer to such an attitude as "taking it to

700-513: The distance's world record is not tracked by the International Olympic Committee. Meseret Defar ( Ethiopia ) is the fastest woman: 8:58.58, Brussels, Belgium , 14 September 2007. Another race is only run in high school or Master meets. The typical specialist in this event would move up to the 3000-metre steeplechase in college. A 3,000-metre steeplechase is a distance event requiring greater strength, stamina, and agility than

735-603: The flat 3,000-metre event. This is because athletes are required to jump over five barriers per lap, after a flat first 200 m to allow for settling in. 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. The world records are held by Lamecha Girma ( Ethiopia ) (7:52.11, Paris . 9 June 2023) and Gulnara Samitova (Russia) (8:58.81, Beijing, 17 August 2008). [REDACTED] Media related to Middle-distance running at Wikimedia Commons Johnny Gray John Lee Gray Jr. (born June 19, 1960)

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770-473: The key to the city for Santa Monica, Inglewood, Walnut, Agoura Hills and New York. Gray attempted to extend his career into masters athletics . He had stated he intended to set new world records at all distances from 200 metres to the mile . At age 40, he ran the 800 in 1:48.81 at the 2001 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships , which is the World Masters Athletics record indoors. The time

805-476: The mile, and records are kept to this day. Historically, the mile took the place that the 1500 m has today. 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 first man to break

840-432: The more tactical middle-distance track events. The distance is often witness to some of the most tactical, physical races in the sport, as many championship races are won in the final few metres. At exactly four laps of a normal 400 m track, this distance is raced as a near replacement for the mile (it is, in fact, 9.344 m, about 30.6 feet, shorter; however, it is still colloquially referred to as "the mile"). The 1600 meters

875-443: The odd man out in the famous " Oregon sweep " at the 2008 Olympic Trials. That might be the second closest Olympic Trials race, to Gray's own 1984 trials, when Gray finished second, but was given the same ( American record ) time as Earl Jones , and James Robinson was the odd man out with the same time as 3rd place John Marshall . Gray also coached at Harvard-Westlake School for six years. He then worked as an assistant coach at

910-569: The third stop on the BBTM Grand Prix Tour 2016, she won the ServiceNow West Chester Mile, stopping the clock at 4:31.33. Johnson coached cross country and track at Huntington University beginning in 2018. Following the arrest of the head coach and Johnson's husband, Nicholas, in 2020 for child seduction and kidnapping, Johnson was named head coach. Athletes filed a Title IX lawsuit in 2022 alleging sexual abuse by Nicholas and

945-507: The women's record: 1:21.77 set at Berlin on 27 August 2017. The 800 m consists of two laps around a standard 400 m track and has always been an Olympic event. It was included in the first women's track programme in 1928 but was suspended until 1960. David Rudisha ( Kenya ) is the current recordholder: 1:40.91, London, 9 August 2012. Jarmila Kratochvílová ( Czechoslovakia ) set the current women's record: 1:53.28, Munich , 26 July 1983. The 880-yard (804.67 m) run, or half-mile,

980-474: The world record performance by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco : 3:26.00 on 14 July 1998 at Rome (two 1:50 min 800 m performances back to back). Thus, speed is necessary, and it seems that the more aerobic conditioning , the better. Faith Kipyegon from Kenya holds the women's world record: 3:49.04 set in Paris on 7 July 2024. This is a difficult distance at which to compete mentally, in addition to being one of

1015-430: Was 3,520 yards (3,218.688 m). Historically, the two-mile took the place that the 3000 m and the 3200 m have today. 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. The current world record in the two-mile is held by Jakob Ingebrigtsen , who ran 7:54.10 in the 2023 Paris Diamond League meet on 9 June 2023, although

1050-481: Was 4 years old and that was my main sport all the way through college. I only began to focus on running once I graduated, so I'm pretty new to the elite level of track and field." Johnson is married to Nicholas Johnson. Middle-distance running 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

1085-647: Was famous for the controversial collision between Mary Decker and Zola Budd . The race has been a fixture at the World Athletics Indoor Championships since its inception in 1985 as the longest race for both men and women. This race requires decent speed, but a lack of natural quickness can be made up for with superior aerobic conditioning and race tactics. 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). At exactly eight laps on

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1120-712: Was one lap longer than a quarter-mile. In 1882, American Lon Myers set what was then a world record at 600 yards (548.64 m), running it in 1:11.4. The event was a common event for most American students because it was one of the standardized test events as part of the President's Award on Physical Fitness . 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

1155-910: Was one of the favourites to win a gold medal at the World Championships in Stuttgart as he had won the A-race at the prestigious meeting in Zurich. However, he failed to qualify for the final in Stuttgart. He also set the world 600 meter record in 1986 at 1:12.81. In 1992 and 1993 Gray came close to breaking the world indoor record over 800 m several times. He held the US indoor record at 1:45.00 ( Sindelfingen 1992) till February 2019. Gray went to Crenshaw High School , Santa Monica College , Arizona State University and received his graduate degree from California State University, Los Angeles . He ran his "professional" career for

1190-483: Was superior to the outdoor world record , most recently held by Jim Sorensen , until that record was surpassed by Anthony Whiteman , May 20, 2012. Based on IAAF rule 260.18a, that should have been the world record, but it was never formally recognized. After competing in six Olympic Trials (1980-2000) he turned to coaching. His foremost protege' was SMTC teammate Khadevis Robinson , who Gray coached to 5 National Championships . Robinson might best be remembered as

1225-482: Was the forebear to the 800 m distance and has its roots in competitions in the United Kingdom in the 1830s. This distance is not commonly raced, though it is more common than the 500 m event is for sprinters. This is commonly raced as an indoor men's heptathlon event, or as an indoor high school event. In 1881, Lon Myers set what was then a world record at 1000 yards, running it in 2:13.0. The men's record

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