800m(1.43.91)1974 Commonwealth Games,NZ

In one of the great championship track finals John Kipkurgat of Kenya ran the race of his life,running the second fastest ever 800 metres at the time,just missing the world record. He'd given plenty of warning in the semis,running an African Record of 1.44.38 .In the final he left fellow Kenyan Mike Boit (who won the title four years later) in his wake,with Tanzanian Bayi being overtaken for bronze by local newcomer John Walker. Walker and Bayi of course ran one of the greatest 1500 metre finals of all (in a new WR)a few days later,but in that race Walker didn't catch him!

[@201081hero]

The 1974 games were probably the best ever for men's middle & long distance events: near world records in the 800, steeplechase, 5000 and marathon, then Bayi's magnificent 1500 record.

[@saminieminen4871]

Also 10000m was very good. Dick Tayler ran 27.46,4 and he took the sixth place in all-time list at that time.

[@MrSupplementScene]

Wow, great talent. I found this on wiki: "Kipkurgat attempted to break Fiasconaro's world record two months later in Pointe-à-Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago.[4] He split 1:13.2 for 600 m, but ran completely out of energy and almost walked to the finish; his 600 m split, however, remains the fastest ever in an 800 m race and one of the fastest 600 m times in any conditions" That's insane, it makes you wonder what he could have ran if he went through in 1:15 or 1:16....maybe he could have hung on.

[@SirPeter6464]

Thanks for putting this up. Great to see it again.. 👍

[@ewaf88]

Excellent times which wouldn't disgrace a modern race

[@ProjectDystopia]

...love it, thanks

[@MarkMcLT]

I had completely forgotten that Walker beat Bayi for Bronze in this race. As an 11yo NZer at the time, it was really the 1500 that got seared into our collective national consciousness, with Walker beating the world record but being beaten by Bayi for the gold.

[@Pihasanddunes1]

I remember watching that on TV like it was yesterday. Kipkurgat had run 1:44.38 in the semis too.

[@redrum4100]

Note how being in lanes for 300m produces fast times.

[@johnstirling6597]

Bill Hooker, father of Olympic pole vault gold medallist.

[@josepaulinogarciaperez7955]

Viva. El. Atletismo. 🥇🥇🥇🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🇪🇸

[@roybean7166]

Strong field !

[@trackandfieldarchive]

Steve Hooker's dad in 6th. Impressive family genes.

[@nathanieltyler5317]

He said mike was a bot robot, litsen to the annoucer.

[@jonah8778]

When did the 800 change from running 300m to cutting in to a single lane to 100m?

[@APBCTechnique]

Changed at 1980 Olympics a 100m then bend cut-in

[@201081hero]

It changed from 100 to 300 after the 1972 season but changed back to 100 after the 1976 season.

[@johnrogan9420]

Walker. .happy to get 2nds or thirds...Snell always ran to 🏆 win GOLD!

[@johnrogan9420]

Kenyans...weird running strides but always fighting to win the race...unlike Walker.