2007 – End of Year Reviews – MIDDLE DISTANCE Running

Monte-Carlo – In the penultimate episode of their review of the 2007 Athletics year, statisticians A. Lennart Julin and Mirko Jalava reach the topic of the MIDDLE DISTANCE running events.

MEN – Middle Distances
800m
A very unmemorable year in 2007 – no outstanding runners and no outstanding marks! A typical illustration from the 800m: In 2007 there were 18 performances sub-1:44.50 – in 2006 there were 18 performers below that barrier altogether 45 times! Another illustration: 1:43.74 is the slowest world leading mark in a quarter of century.

It seemed that the 800m very much lacked a runner with the ability and the confidence to take charge of the event and forcing the others to raise their game. A commanding runner like André Bucher around 2000 not to mention the great Wilson Kipketer before him. Now no one seemed to dare anything and the places in the major races were as erratic as if been decided by a lottery draw.