X-Nico

unusual facts about 10,000 meters



1991 in Afghanistan

On March 2, 1991 in San Diego, California, Waheed Karim set an Afghan national record in the 5,000 meters (16:04.7).

Van Nelson

He won the Amateur Athletic Union six-mile title then completed a 5000 meters/10,000 meters track double at the 1967 World Student Games.


see also

1965 All-Africa Games

The games success was due in a large part to the emerging African stars, such as Wilson Kiprugut Chuma (silver medalist in the Tokyo 800 meters), Mohammed Gammoudi (silver medalist Tokyo, 10,000 meters), and Kip Keino, Naftali Temu and Mamo Wolde, who would all win medals three years later at the Mexico City Olympic Games.

Blake Russell

After the 2008 Olympics she had a son and made a successful return to the track placing 4th in the 10,000 meters at the USA Track and Field Championships and winning road running the San Jose Half Marathon, crossing the line in 1:11:55 – over a minute ahead of her closest competitor Linda Somers.

Payton Jordan

Billy Mills' upset victory in the 10,000 meters in 1964, the legendary leap of 29’2-1/2 by Bob Beamon in the long jump, the (third and) fourth gold medal in the discus by Al Oerter, the 100 meters sprint world record of 9.9 seconds by Jim Hines, Tommie Smith’s gold medal win in the 200 meters in 19.8 seconds, and Lee Evans’ world record (43.8 seconds) in the 400 meters were among the many Olympic highlights achieved when Jordan was coach.

Pekka Vasala

With a medal in every track event from 1500 to 10,000 meters, three gold and one bronze (Tapio Kantanen in the 3000 meter steeplechase) Finnish athletes achieved a level of success not seen since the era of the "Flying Finns" (1912-1936).