Breaking the Tape

The European Championships is hotting up! Jakob Ingebrigtsen got things started with a bang, winning 5000m gold in dramatic fashion on his return from injury. But there is still so much to look forward to for distance fans.

The big one is of course the women’s 800m. With Audrey Werro, Keely Hodgkinson and Femke Broeders-Bol in the field, fireworks are guaranteed. Who do you think will take the victory on Friday night?

Werro is the favourite, becoming the first woman since the 1980s to run 1:53 for 800m - twice - and beating poster girl Hodgkinson in the process in Stockholm. But Hodgkinson is a born competitor, and shorn of the pressure to front run now Werro is the favourite, she could be dangerous if she can time her move just right.

And then we have Broeders-Bol. She hasn’t been able to get the better of either of her rivals in her fledgling career so far, but her progression has been incredible. Can she finish it off with another big PB and spring a massive surprise?

On top of that, we have plenty of other events to look forward to. Nadia Battocletti has had a season disrupted by illness so far, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her dominate the women’s 10,000m in the way she already did the 5000m. Georgia Hunter-Bell continues her quest to make up for lost time and win as many medals as possible in her second chance at a running career in the women’s 1500m, and of course, the men’s 1500m will be enthralling viewing as always, with Jake Wightman, Isaac Nader and Azeddine Habz among the favourites.

It’s going to be a fun week of track!

2 days ago | [YT] | 10

Breaking the Tape

After Josh Kerr broke the mile world record in London, where does he now stand in the list of greatest 1500m / mile runners of all time? It's easy to forget the dominance of Hicham El Guerrouj and Noreddine Morceli in the 1990s and early 2000s, or Sebastian Coe's stunning speed bringing him two Olympic gold medals in the 1980s. In my next video, I'll be looking to breakdown the all-time list and rank the best to ever do it. Let me know in the poll and comments who you think is the best of all time, and who your top 5 would be - I've listed seven contenders below along with their cases for, to help you get started.

𝙃𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙢 𝙀𝙡 𝙂𝙪𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙟

The most dominant miler in history, El Guerrouj has recorded twenty-eight sub-3:30 1500m performances, went undefeated in forty-five 1500m and mile races between the Atlanta and Sydney Olympics, and won four straight world titles in 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003. He set world records over 1500m (3:26.00, still standing today), the mile (lasted 27 years until Kerr's London run) and the 2000m (stood for 24 years until Jakob Ingebrigtsen broke it).

The crowning moment of his career came when he finally won the Olympic gold he believed was his, in Athens in 2004, after missing out in devastating fashion with a fall in 1996 and by being pipped on the line in 2000.

𝙎𝙚𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙚

The Brit was probably an even better 800m runner than a miler, with his 1:41.73 world record in that event standing for 16 years. But he used that speed to devastating effect over the longer distance, becoming the only man to ever win two Olympic golds in the 1500m, in 1980 and 1984. His rivalry with countryman Steve Ovett saw middle distance running enter a golden age, as they traded world records between themselves, with Coe breaking outdoor world records in the 800m, 1000m, 1500m, and mile a total of eight times in his career.

𝙉𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙞

A forerunner of El Guerrouj, Morceli ended the era of the tactical racers with massive kicks from the 1980s. Coe's 1:41 and Steve Cram's 1:42 800m speed had been very difficult to beat, but Morceli found a new level of strength and endurance, running a world record 7:25 for 3000m to underpin his middle distance prowess. He won three World Championships titles over 1500m in a row between 1991 and 1995, set world records over 1500m and the mile, and got his hands on an Olympic gold in 1996 just in time before El Guerrouj took over.

𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙗 𝙀𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙩

The original dominator of the the sport, Australian Herb Elliot spent his entire professional career undefeated over the 1500m and mile between 1958 and 1961, a total of 44 races. He won Olympic gold in Rome in 1960, and took massive chunks off both world records, bringing them down by 2.5 and 2.7 seconds respectively.

However, the fact he retired aged just 22, and ran in an era before East Africans were prominent on the world stage (the first Kenyan Olympic gold medal on the track came seven years after he hung up his spikes) means it's harder to judge just how good he was.

𝘼𝙨𝙗𝙚𝙡 𝙆𝙞𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙥

The Kenyan was the ultimate championship racer. He won Olympic gold in Beijing aged just 19, then went on to win three straight World Championship titles from 2011 to 2015. He was dominant on the Diamond League circuit too, with his 23 wins there only exceeded by Hicham El Guerrouj's 30 wins in it's predecessor, the Golden League. These victories were achieved with an ability to run incredibly fast over the final 300m of races, closing speed which could well have seen him equal Seb Coe as the only man to win two Olympic golds, had he not been injured for London 2012.

𝙅𝙖𝙠𝙤𝙗 𝙄𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙩𝙨𝙚𝙣

While the Norwegian might not have quite lived up to his promise as a miler, after bursting onto the scene by winning the European Championships 1500m / 5000m double as a 17-year-old and then Olympic gold aged 20, he still deserves a place on this list for his consistency, and the role he played, alongside Timothy Cheruiyot, in taking the 1500m back from being a race for the kickers in the Kiprop era to one where the top contenders all wanted to run fast. Global gold over 1500m has eluded him since that night in Tokyo, but he has still run more sub-3:30 performances (19) than anyone other than El Guerrouj, and has chalked up 19 wins over the 1500m and the mile in Diamond Leagues.

𝙍𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧

The first man to break the 4-minute barrier for the mile has to be included, even if his achievements in Championships don't quite stack up with the other names on this list. He did win a memorable gold in the iconic Empire Games final against rival John Landy, dubbed the Miracle Mile, but it is the way he re-defined what was possible and opened the floodgates for a generation of milers to follow in his footsteps that secured his place in history.

Let me know anyone you think I've missed. It'll give me some more ideas for my upcoming video if you do😊

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 27

Breaking the Tape

So will he do it? After months of talking about it, Josh Kerr finally gets the chance to take his shot at the mile world record this weekend at the London Diamond League. He and his coach Danny Mackey are confident based off his recent workouts, but will the lack of a real world class middle distance man to pace him to 1200m prove a problem? When Hicham El Guerrouj ran 3:43.13 in 1999, he had Olympic 800m champion William Tanui take him all the way to the bell, dropping him off on pace with just one lap to run. Kerr, on the other hand, can only rely on Brooks Beast teammate Brannon Kidder and journeyman pacer Zan Rudolf, neither of whom is likely to be able to go beyond 1km.

But one similarity with that 1999 Rome Golden Gala race is the presence of another world class miler. El Guerrouj was pushed all the way to the line by Noah Ngeny, who would go on to beat him at the Sydney Olympics the following year, and in London Kerr will be challenged by long-time rival Yared Nuguse. With their all-time head to head record standing at 7-7 (including 800m / 3000m races) could Nuguse pip the Brit to the line, and potentially even the record?

Let me know in the poll whether you think either of them will break the world record, and check out my video below for an overview of how Kerr has trained in preparation for this attempt:

https://youtu.be/Q38Dw2gZPMY?si=t4vnp...

Of course, Kerr isn't the only star attraction on show in London. Keely Hodgkinson might have suffered a setback at the Pre Classic with defeat to Lilian Odira, but she will be out to run fast and show she can still lay claim to being the number one 800m runner in the world, in a race that was originally billed as an 800m world record attempt, before her recent injury scares. With Femke Broeders-Bol also lining up against her for the first time and training partner Georgia Hunter-Bell present, we can expect fireworks in that one.

And finally, we have the potential for another middle distance world record in the men's 800m. Fresh off his 1000m world record in Monaco, can Emmanuel Wanyonyi get close to his legendary countryman David Rudisha's mark, set on the same track at the London 2012 Olympics? With long time rival Marco Arop in the field, it's guaranteed to be fast.

Enjoy the action on Saturday!

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 16

Breaking the Tape

The thing I'm most excited about at the upcoming Monaco Diamond League isn't any of the established track stars. It's a triathlete. Olympic Champion Alex Yee is on the start line and must be looking to run sub-13 for the 5k, for two reasons:

1. His training on Strava over the last few weeks seems to be geared to that pace.
2. He has no option - the race is likely to be paced at something around 12:45, and he will be on his own if he doesn't go with it.

Now obviously I'm pumped for this - if a triathlete can run 12:xx for a 5k, then it would turn the running world on it's head. Let me know in the poll how fast you think he's run, and catch my video analysing whether he can do the unthinkable below.

https://youtu.be/W3U7VzW1fm8?si=AlRzO...

And Yee won't be the only triathlete lining up in Monaco. French star Cassandre Beaugrand is also there, taking on an arguably even bigger challenge. She is running the women's 3000m, which was originally meant to be a world record attempt by Faith Kipyegon. After a disappointing showing over the mile at the Prefontaine Classic last weekend, that one's up in the air, but I'm hoping she still gives it a shot. Wang Junxia's record from 1993 is one of the most controversial in track, but also one of the best stories. Check out my video on that one too, profiling the madness behind that epic 1993 season from the Chinese distance runners known as Ma's Army.

https://youtu.be/smOK74w6uAk?si=-hCIK...

There is plenty more on offer in Monaco too. Kebinatshipi has a chance of a super fast time in the 400m, there's a potential world record on offer for Wanyonyi in the 1000m, and the women's 200m and men's 100m start lists look stacked. Happy viewing everyone!😊

1 month ago | [YT] | 10

Breaking the Tape

Is this the most STACKED field ever at a Diamond League? The Prefontaine Classic this weekend promises to be unreal. On the resurfaced track that saw crazy times at NCAAs in June, the biggest stars in the world get the chance to show they are the real deal.

Breakdown of the key events below - it might seem hyperbolic, but I reckon there are as many as eight track events that could see times close to the world record!

Let me know in the poll and comments which you are most looking forward to.

*Men's Bowerman Mile*
Can Cam Myers, Niels Laros, Cole Hocker and Yared Nuguse spoil Josh Kerr's highly publicised world record attempt in London two weeks from now by beating him to it here? Only Myers is likely in shape to get close, but it'll be a great race regardless. Watch out for NCAA breakout star Simeon Birnbaum, who has put in some crazy fast laps this year - he could steal the headlines if it doesn't go out fast.

*Women's Mile*
Faith Kipyegon returns and will be expected to dominate. She set the world record in the 1500m here last year and could attempt to do the same in the mile. But Georgia-Hunter Bell has been in excellent form this season with eight wins from nine races this year. Could the Brit hang on and spring a huge upset?

*Women's Mutola 800m*
After Audrey Werro's attempts at the oldest world record in track in Ostrava and Paris, it's Keely Hodgkinson's turn to give it a crack in Eugene. The British star is also facing off against her rival from the World Championships last year, Lilian Odira, in what promises to be a fascinating race.

*Men's 800m*
Not part of the full Diamond League card, but any race with Cooper Lutkenhaus in it deserves a mention these days. After taking down Olympic gold and silver medallists Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Marco Arop in his last two outings, is this his chance to run 1:41 for the first time?

*Men's 400m*
After Samuel Ogazi took down Collen Kebinatshipi's world lead at NCAAs on this track, the Motswana will be looking to take it back here. The field is incredible, and he will face off against his American rival from the anchor leg of last year's 4 x 400m relay at World Champs, Rai Benjamin, who will be looking for revenge after being pipped on the line in Tokyo. A breakdown of Kebinatshipi's chances can be seen in my most recent video:

https://youtu.be/wCpzq-XWvr0?si=VE8n-...

*Men's 110m / Women's 100m Hurdles*
World record possibilities in both here. Ja'Kobe Tharp broke the men's world record on this track just three weeks ago at NCAAs, and on the women's side Tobi Amusen and Masai Russel are inching closer and closer. Could we see one or both marks go down?

*Women's 100m*
The men's 100m is stacked too, but the women's has to be the main event for the short sprints. Six women in the field have run faster than 10.90 this year already, and perennial favourites Melissa Jefferson-Wooden and Sha'Carri Richardson will have their work cut out to beat world leader and NCAA Freshman Adaejah Hodge, who ran the fourth-fastest time ever at Outdoor Nationals three weeks ago.

We are in for some amazing viewing, so enjoy the weekend's action, and make sure to check back in afterwards for some of the best analysis videos out there😊

1 month ago | [YT] | 8

Breaking the Tape

The Paris Diamond League this weekend promises to be one of the most exciting meets of the season so far. Audrey Werro and Femke Broeders-Bol toe the start line again in another much anticipated 800m race. Can Werro take another step towards finally breaking the oldest world record in track?

But the storylines don’t stop there. We have the return of Niels Laros in the men’s 1500m, lining up in a battle of the prodigies against Australian Cam Myers, although Azeddine Habz might have something to say about the outcome of that race after running 3:27 for the win here last year. The men’s 5000m should also be great viewing, with Almgren, Fisher and a host of top Ethiopians and Kenyans chasing fast times.

And then we have the sprints. Can Colleen Kebinatshipi respond to Sam Ogazi’s huge 43.38 run at NCAAs to prove he remains the undisputed king of the 400m? And similarly, can Noah Lyles, Jordan Anthony et al show the pro 100m big dogs remain ahead of their college counterparts?

No mid-week video from me this week, but be sure to tune in after Paris, when I’ll be breaking down the biggest storylines to come out of what could be the best Diamond League meet so far. See you then!

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 39

Breaking the Tape

After her 51.14 400m in Rome, how fast will Keely Hodgkinson run in her 800m outdoor season opener in Stockholm on Sunday? The Brit is one of the star attractions on a stacked set of start lists, which also features intriguing match ups in the men's 800m and 1500m.

With it looking likely that she will try to take a shot at Jarmila Kratochvilova's world record alongside Josh Kerr's mile world record attempt at the London Diamond League on 18th July, a good showing in Stockholm would give a lot of confidence that 1:53.28 might be possible this season.

For a more in depth analysis of her 400m performance in Rome and how that affects her chances, see my most recent video below:

https://youtu.be/_82GDpCyi0Q?si=xKWZB...

Have a great weekend!😊

2 months ago | [YT] | 10

Breaking the Tape

Can this man run sub-2 in London? Jacob Kiplimo's redemption at the Lisbon Half Marathon, where he regained the Half Marathon World Record after World Athletics had refused to ratify his 56:42 from February 2025, set up his clash with Sebastian Sawe next month beautifully. It might not have been quite as fast this time around (57:20), but there were two big mitigating factors:

1. No pacers, and more of a race. Nicholas Kipkorir was with Kiplimo until 15km, meaning it was more about securing the win for the Ugandan. 5k splits of 13:28 / 13:32 / 13:52 / 13:31 showed the pace slowed in that crucial third 5k before Kiplimo made his move. Had he been simply time trialling, a faster finish time seems likely.

2. Closer to London than Barcelona last year. This means Kiplimo was likely in heavier training and probably didn't taper much for this race, with London only seven weeks away. He is also running higher mileage than he was in early 2025, as at that point he had only recently increased above his previous 150km a week up to 200km, whereas he is now running well above that. The fatigue from that extra load will have been harder to overcome.

With Sawe seemingly in sub-2 shape when he ran 2:02:16 in 25 degrees celsius in Berlin last year, Kiplimo will have his work cut out to get the win. The weather can be variable in London, but if it's good conditions and the pacers take them through halfway in 60 minutes, surely one of them will kick away over the last 10km to a world record time and possibly the elusive sub-2?

Let me know what you think will happen, and watch out for a video soon assessing how likely a world record might be.

5 months ago | [YT] | 18

Breaking the Tape

It's the BU Last Chance Meet this Sunday, and that means one thing: the last chance for Sam Ruthe to run another mind-blowing time on his US tour. After running the fastest mile ever by a 16-year-old and breaking the New Zealand record last time out in Boston with his 3:48.88, could there be another age grade world best, or even another national record in the 3000m on the cards? Let me know how fast you think he'll run below.

Other than that it's a fairly quiet weekend of track at the top level, as the Americans start to gear up for the US Indoor Championships in a week's time. Some good performances from stars such as Cooper Lutkenhaus, Yared Nuguse, Cole Hocker and Nico Young there could preclude the most successful ever World Indoor Championships for the US in the men's distance events, with Lutkenhaus, Hocker and Young real contenders for gold in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m. Check out my video analysing whether the 17-year-old Lutkenhaus can shock the world and become the youngest ever world champion on the track, linked below.

https://youtu.be/27E8Pa4-Rmo?si=B5hl4...

Enjoy your Sunday, and watch out for another epic performance from Ruthe later on!

5 months ago | [YT] | 15

Breaking the Tape

We are gearing up for the biggest mile race of the year so far this Saturday! 16 year old Sam Ruthe is due to challenge Olympic champion Cole Hocker at the Sound Invite on the JDL Fast Track. After his stunning 3:48 in Boston, is there a chance the teenager could take down Hocker and a strong field of pros? Check out my video previewing the race below:

https://youtu.be/aLshynrkFCw?si=1HBcL...

Hocker is the clear favourite having beaten the best two mile field on record at Millrose at the start of this month, destroying Josh Kerr and Geordie Beamish in New York and looking like he had plenty left in the tank. His early season time trials have been faster than ever before too, with his 2:16.30 1k last weekend two seconds quicker than he managed at this stage of the season in 2024 and 2025. Does this mean we are finally seeing a Cole Hocker willing to treat regular season races with the seriousness that he does championships, and perhaps chase some world records in 2026? The Sound Invite will be his first chance to show his intention to run fast times in distances that matter, and with the pace lights rumoured to be set at 3:46 flat, there’s every chance we will see that happen.

But Sam Ruthe has made this race much more complicated than it was intended to be. Added to the start list within minutes of his breakout race in Boston, his presence changes this from a Hocker procession to a potential banana skin. Losing to a 16-year-old would not be a good look, but after Ruthe’s performances this winter season, there is a small chance it could happen. With the fast times already in the bank, there is no need for Ruthe to push the pace here, and if he can gain a few percent from drafting behind Hocker and can hang on to 3:46 pace, then it might be a closer finish than their respective pedigrees would suggest. Ruthe ran a very impressive 1:45 800m to beat training partner Sam Tanner in January, and has been making 25 second 200m reps look easy in training, so his kick will be a threat even to the Olympic champion, and might just put Hocker in two minds about whether he sticks to the plan and forces the pace with the aim of a fast time, or sits back and maximises his chances of winning in a kick.

With more sub-3:50 milers in Sam Tanner, Festus Lagat and Vince Ciattei in the field looking to stake their claims, plus Hocker’s training partner Cooper Teare, it’s sure to be a fun race. Let me know how you think it will go, and see you after the race on Saturday for another race recap video😄

6 months ago | [YT] | 20