| Landmarks |
First under 10 min: 9:49.8 Josef
Ternström SWE 1914
First under 9 min: 8:59.6 Erik Elmsäter SWE 1944
First under 8:30: 8:29.6 Gaston Roelants BEL 1963
First under 8:20: 8:19.8 Ben Jipcho KEN 1973
First under 8:10: 8:09.70 Anders Garderud SWE 1975
First under 8:05: 8:02.08 Moses Kiptanui KEN 1992
First under 8 min: 7:59.18 Moses Kiptanui 1995Subsequent
record progression:
7:59.08 Wilson Boit Kipketer KEN 1997
7:55.72 Bernard Barmasai KEN 1997
Most durable world record: 8:05.4 Henry Rono KEN 1978 (11
years)
Most times under 8:05: Bernard Barmasai 13 |
| Superlatives |
Most Olympic titles: 2 Volmari
Iso-Hollo FIN 1932/1936
Most World titles: 3 Moses Kiptanui 1991/1993/1995Youngest
Olympic/World champion: Moses Kiptanui 1991 (19) Oldest: Kip Keino KEN 1972 (32) |
| Three all-time greats |
Volmari Iso-Hollo (FIN): The only man to win two Olympic steeplechase titles.
Because of an official's error the field ran one lap too many on the first occasion in
1932. |
Henry Rono (KEN): During a 3-month period in 1978 he set world records in the
3000m, 5000m and 10,000m as well as the steeplechase (8:05.4), an unique feat. |
Moses Kiptanui (KEN): By the time he had turned 24 he could already point to
three world titles and the distinction of being the first to break through the eight
minute barrier. |
