| Landmarks |
First official
world record: 32:17.20 Yelena Sipatova URS 1981
First under 32 min: 31:35.3 Mary Decker USA 1982
First under 31 min: 30:59.42 Ingrid Kristiansen NOR 1985Subsequent record progression:
30:13.74 Ingrid Kristiansen 1986
29:31.78 Wang Junxia CHN 1993
Most durable world record: 30:13.74 Ingrid Kristiansen 1986
(7 years)
Most times under 31:00: Ingrid Kristiansen 4. |
| Superlatives |
Most Olympic
titles: 1 by Olga Bondarenko URS 1988 & Derartu Tulu ETH 1992
Most World titles: 1 by 4 women (gold/silver by Fernanda Ribeiro POR 1995/97)
Youngest Olympic/World champion: Sally Barsosio KEN 1997 (19)
Oldest: IngridKristiansen 1987 (31) |
| Three all time greats |
 Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR):
For a while held world records at 5000m, 10,000m & marathon, something no man has ever
achieved; world 10,000m champion in 1987. |
 Derartu Tulu (ETH): Became the
first black African woman to win any Olympic title when she triumphed at 10,000m in 1992;
world cross country champion in 1995, 1997 & 2000. |
 Wang Junxia (CHN): After winning 1993 world title she
pulverised the world record with 29:31.78 prior to running the second quickest ever 1500m
(3:51.92) and setting world 3000m records of 8:12.19 and 8:06.11 ... all in the space of 5
days! |
