Steve Ovett/Henry Rono:2 Miles(WR),London 1978

The criticism of top athletes not facing each other couldn't be leveled at the two top middle distance runners of 1978 in this end of season meet in London.In a classic confrontation the great Kenyan Henry Rono(4 WR's and undefeated that season),one of the greatest front runners of all time,tried everything to run the finish out of one of the most feared kicks of all time,that of Britain's Steve Ovett,trying his hand at a longer distance than usual.In the mix was the legendary Pole Bronislaw Malinowski.That Ovett had to break the world record to win was less surprising than how damned easy he made it look ! This has been kicking around on the Tube for awhile,but this is hopefully of better quality than has been available before.

[@damienabbott9805]

Steve Ovett was so unbelievable. He destroyed John Walker and Thomas Wessinghage in 1977 and then Henry Rono in 1978. He is by far and away the most natural born runner this country has ever produced.

[@Dagsy1970]

I was there that evening with my dad and my grandad. I was 8 years old. We were seated along the finishing straight towards the line. We ALL stood up cheering and clapping as he waved to the crowd. One of my most amazing childhood memories.

[@Grendel2912]

That's almost like saying you saw Queen at Live Aid. What an awesome memory for you. The atmosphere sounds amazing

[@Graham-qz2jf]

RIP Henry Rono,a a special runner in his time

[@peters6119]

Wow. Rono had been so dominant in that summer. It's likely that nobody else will ever set world records in the 3000m, 5000m, 10000m and 3000m Steeplechase in the same year or even hold them at the same time. And this wasn't even Ovett's distance, but Rono couldn't get rid of him no matter what he tried. Ovett knew he had way more speed which is why before he even started his sprint he knew it was over. This might have been an even greater win for Ovett than his Olympic 800 win.

[@johncampbell463]

Totally agree. Beautiful to see Ovett young healthy dominant and versatile runner what a joy amazing speed Big fan

[@CorfeCastle.]

Greatest runner we’ve ever produced. Ovett was the GOAT

[@Jeanemilr-hn7tj]

1978, LA PLUS BELLE ANNÉE DU 20 ÈME SIÈCLE, OVETT, RONO, DES GÉANTS SUR LA PISTE. DES ETRES HUMAINS SACHANT SOUFFRIR, UN TENDRE SOUVENIR POUR L' ATHLÈTE QUE J' ÉTAIS. FÉLICITATIONS MERCI BEAUCOUP POUR VOTRE VIDÉO, ☀️☀️🌙🌙🍀🍀🩵🩵🇫🇷🌹🌹

[@englishman1960]

Ovett's pinnacle year. This was the race that sealed the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for him. Fantastic race.

[@keithf_]

What a great race ! And yes, as others have said, I think 1978 was Steve Ovett's golden year. He was pretty much unbeatable that year (at anything other than 800 metres. Shame it wasn't an Olympic year. What a fantastic runner he was. Great memories. Thanks for posting.

[@capt.lovestarii2752]

Almost overnight, Ovett made middle distance running watchable again. By rights he should have run much faster times but he was a racer at heart and that`s why he was loved and hated with equal intensity.

[@7523dave]

What a fantastic with the great crowd and david Coleman at his best Steve ovett is a legend and gave many great races to remember and admire him by

[@anty66]

I feel quite tearful watching Steve especially with the commentary . what fantastic years they were.

[@Gnomebe]

This is the greatest race ever. Here in America Rono that year dropped "everyone". To this day his records still stand. The fact that he had the guts to run against him period that year is amazing, but to beat him!

[@nickpilgrim1966]

An era of personalities. Great crowds.

[@ewaf88]

I love these old athletic videos, thanks for post.

[@jeffallinson8089]

Some of the below comments are pathetic. I like to look at this race as it was; a fabulous field of top athletes and a clever tactical win from Ovett who timed his finish very well. Superb stuff, thanks for a great upload.

[@galtongabriel1172]

Steve Ovett, the master middle distance tactician.

[@julianhicks8435]

Great night ....I ran in the race which followed steves epic performance ( junior 800 mts ) whole place was buzzing

[@gakaface]

Thanks for posting this better quality capture of this race; one of my favourite Ovett races. Here, Steve was awesome. The field was high calibre, including Malinowski (3,000m Olympic champion 1980), Mike McCleod (Olympic 10,000 bronze, 1984 promoted to silver but should have been promoted to gold following Cova's confession), and Henry Rono, four world records earlier that season. Ovett made them all look very ordinary indeed. Some comments below about how fast could Ovett have run this distance. He only ever did enough to win. If someone was running 8:05 pace he would have beaten them. If he was racing Mo Farah, he would have beaten him. In 1978 he was in the best form of his life.

[@julianhicks8435]

@@bfc3057 ovett was 100% clean ....I would say subutamol inhalers prescribed for asthma where as bad as it got ....

[@keirbateman267]

@@julianhicks8435 You dont know if he was 100% clean any more than I do unless you were living with him 24/7. I don't recall him leading in any of his big races before his final effort which was almost always a victorious one. One of the greats but not one of the greatest in my opinion. Still rate him above Coe over 1500 and mile.

[@keirbateman267]

That's just speculation. He was a consummate racer but he was pretty much all out at 8.13. Agree about Mc Leod though . I think that's the correct spelling as an ex Elswick harrier. Is there a statute of limitations on cheating in athletics? The only performance enhancing drug Mike would have had was a bottle of brown.

[@mathematics5573]

agreed, if the winning time had been Sub 8 minutes, that the current WR is, Ovett would have won. He'd have waisted Mo Farah.

[@simonedwards5564]

@@mathematics5573 If OVETT was around today on today's / high technology running shoes/much better pacemaker and light display for pacing,,,,,YES OVETT WOULD DESTROY MANY OPPONENTS....oh and didn't run INTO CHURCH railings at the END of a FANTASTIC YEAR (1981) of ATHLETICS!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnosullivan6955]

I was there that night.Unforgettable.Ovett looked so smooth.The win was never in doubt.Still can't believe Coe beat Ovett in 1500m in 1984.

[@julianhicks8435]

Would you still have the programe

[@julianhicks8435]

Would you still have the programe

[@brendanrogers2663]

1980 ? Ovett was ill for 84 final. Brilliant days - I couldn’t believe Ovett beat Coe in 800 at 80 Olympics (was a Coe fan - but still loved Ovett and Cram). I’m sure I read somewhere that Ovett went out on the beer with the Irish team after the 800 gold, and that he would have beaten. Or otherwise !

[@Pinkybum]

Ovett was sick and dropped out in the last lap of the 1500m in 1984.

[@goumasnick5020]

I believe that he was the best mid distance runner

[@francishooton3933]

I think he would have waisted Mo Farah over 2 miles and other distances, like Cross country

[@francishooton3933]

i mean that Ovett is probably in the top 3 milers since WW11.

[@davidshannon2860]

Francis Hooton ovett at his peak 76-83

[@michaelsundell2422]

Yeah, there is something that tells you that the combination of stride, speed, and endurance would have translated very well in today's era of hyper training and technology.

[@michaelsundell2422]

This two-mile record lasted for almost a decade. That's a big deal.

[@raykinsella6895]

Steve Ovett-- Maestro. A joy to watch racing. And Rono didn't make it easy

[@george5858]

Total 52 Races (40 outdoors, 8 indoors, 3 cross country, 1 road) includes 5 qualifying heats 39 wins, 13 losses 1st (39), 2nd (4), 3rd (3), 4th (1), 5th (1), 6th (1), 237th (1), dnf (2) --------------------------------------------------------------- Indoors: 8 races: 3 wins, 5 losses 1st (3), 2nd (1), 3rd (2), 4th (1), 6th (1) ------------------------------------------------- Outdoors: 40 races: 33 wins, 7 losses 1st (33), 2nd (3), 3rd (1), 5th (1), dnf (2) 1 mile: 1 win, 2 losses…1st (1), 2nd (1), dnf (1) 2000: 1 loss…5th (1) 3000: 5 wins, 1 loss…1st (5), 3rd (1) 3000sc: 9 wins, 2 losses…1st (9), 2nd (1), dnf (1) 2 mile: 1 win, 1 loss…1st (1), 2nd (1) 5000: 12 wins…1st (12) 10000: 5 wins…1st (5) --------------------------------------------------- Roads 1 race: 1 win, 0 losses -------------------------------------------------- Cross Country 3 races; 2 wins, 1 loss ------------------------------------------------- The Races: 1/21 1 8:18.3 CR 2 mile Sunkist Invitational Los Angeles, CA 1/22 1 4:00.9 1 mile Vandal Invitatioanl Moscow, ID 1/28 1 27:48.6 10000 International Auckland, NZ 2/5 1 1:04:46 HM San Blas HM Coamo, PR 2/10 4 13:24.6 3 mile Maple Leaf Games Toronto, Canada 2/17 3 8:20.0 2 mile Jack-in-the-box San Diego, CA 2/18 3 4:01.6 1 mile Examiner Games Daly City, CA 3/10 1 4:12.2h 1 mile NCAA Detroit, MI 3/11 2 8:43.4 2 mile NCAA Detroit, MI 3/11 6 4:50.0 1 mile NCAA Detroit, MI 3/28 1 13:31.8 5000 San Jose Relays San Jose, CA 4/1 1 13:22.7 5000 SCC Spokane, WA snowstorm 4/8 1 13:08.4 WR 5000 Triangular Meet Berkeley, CA attendance 2000 70 degrees sunny 4/15 1 8:14.8 CR 3000sc WSU vs UO Eugene, OR 4/22 1 4:00.9 1 mile Quadrangular Meet Pasco, WA 4/29 1 8:24.4 3000sc WSU vs UW Pullman, WA 5/7 1 7:43.0 3000 Pepsi Invitational Los Angeles, CA 5/13 1 8:05.4 WR 3000sc Northwest Relays Seattle, WA rain, hail, windy, 55 degrees, 200+ attendance 5/19 1 27:46.6 10000 Pac 8 Conference Corvallis, OR 5/19 dnf 3000sc Pac 8 Conference Corvallis, OR 5/20 1 13:20.2 5000 Pac 8 Conference Corvallis, OR 5/24 1 7:43.9 3000 Phillips Invitational London, GBR 6/1 1 8:18.6h 3000sc NCAA Eugene, OR 6/1 1 13:21.8h 5000 NCAA Eugene, OR 6/3 1 8:12.4 3000sc NCAA Eugene, OR 6/11 1 27:22.5 WR 10000 International Vienna, AUT after a soccer game, 500 attendance 72 degrees, no wind 6/18 1 13:32.0 5000 African Games Mombassa, KEN 6/22 1 7:41.5 3000 Sportfest Cologne, GER 6/24 1 13:20.8 5000 British AAA London, GBR 6/27 1 7:32.1 WR 3000 Bislett Games Oslo, NOR 6/28 1 8:16.8 3000sc World Games Helsinki, FIN 7/2 1 13:18.2 5000 International Milano, ITA 7/20 1 27:58.9 10000 African Games Algiers, ALG 7/25 1 8:15.8 3000sc African Games Algiers, ALG 8/2 5 5:17.0 2000 International Edmonton, CAN 8/6 1 8:26.3h 3000sc Commonwealth Games Edmonton, CAN 8/7 1 8:26.5 3000sc Commonwealth Games Edmonton, CAN 8/8 1 14:02.2h 5000 Commonwealth Games Edmonton, CAN 8/10 1 13:23.0 5000 Commonwealth Games Edmonton, CAN 8/16 1 13:16.1 5000 Weltklasse Zurich, SWI 9/5 3 7:45.3 3000 International Frankfurt, GER 9/7 2 8:17.5 3000sc International Kloblenz, GER 9/9 1 27:53.8 10000 GBR vs FIN (guest) London, GBR 9/10 1 13:15.5 5000 International Rieti, ITA 9/12 1 7:49.3 3000 International Ingleheim, GER 9/15 2 8:14.7 2 mile Coca Cola London, GBR 9/17 2 4:03.8 1 mile International Gateshead, GBR 9/20 1 8:32.7 2 mile International Oslo, NOR 9/25 dnf 1 mile International Tokyo, JPN 10/28 1 23:37.2 8000xc Pac 10 Divisional Pullman, WA 11/11 1 29:22.0 10000xc Pac-10 District Fresno, CA 11/20 237 34:10.7 10000xc NCAA Madison, WI The World Records: 81 days duration, without the aid of pacemakers, unless you consider 13:48 (10k WR) and 3:49.5 (3k WR) “pacemaking”? 4/8 1 13:08.4 WR 5000 Triangular Meet Berkeley, CA (:49.6 margin, Josh Kimeto, 13:58.0) 5/13 1 8:05.4 WR 3000sc Northwest Relays Seattle, WA (:30.7 margin, Jim Johnson 8:36.1) 6/11 1 27:22.5 WR 10000 International Vienna, AUT (:30.5 margin, Domingo Tibaduiza 27:53.0) 6/27 1 7:32.1 WR 3000 Bislett Games Oslo, NOR (:8.2 margin, Suleiman Nyambui 7:40.3) The Splits ============================= WR 5000m Berkley, CA 5/8/78 70 degrees, sunny 1. 13:08.4 Henry Rono 2. 13:58.0 Josh Kimeto 3. 14:03.0 Samson Kimobwa 1:07 (67) 2:10 (63) 3:14 (64) 4:15 (61) 1600m 5:18 (63) 6:20 (62) 7:24 (64) 8:28 (64) 3200m 9:31 (63) 10:35 (64) 11:38 (63) 12:09 (31) 4600m 13:08 (59.4) (2:42.0, 2:36.0, 2:39.5, 2:37.0, 2:33.9) ========================== WR steeplechase Seattle WA 5/13/78 hail, rain, windy, 55 degrees. 200+ attendance. 1: 8:05.4 Henry Rono WSU 2. 8:36.1 Jim Johnson CNW 3. 8:52.1 Evens WSU 4. 8:54.7 Barr CNW 63.8 66.2 (2:10.0) 64.0 (3:14.0) 65.5 (4:19.5) 65.3 (5:24.8) 65.1 (6:29.9) 61.4 last lap After the last lap, the wind really came to life, hitting 15-20 mph. “It was very hard after 5 laps,” he said. “The last 200 meters were hard too.” ===================================== WR 10000, Vienna AUT 72 degrees 500 attendance Jos Hermans paced first 9 laps 1. 27:22.5 Henry Rono, KEN 2. 27:53.0 Domingo Tibaduiza, COL 3. 27:58.9 Joel Cheruiyot, KEN 2:47.5 13:48.2 22:02.1 27:22.5 13:34.3 57.0 ========================= WR 3000m Oslo, NOR 6/27/78 1. 7:32.1 Henry Rono KEN 2. 7:40.3 Sulieman Nyambui, TAN 3. 7:40.4 Nick Rose GBR 2:34.0 3:49.5 1500 Rono takes lead 4:04.5 60.0 5:04.5 60.0 2:30.5 6:04.5 60.0 7:03.5 59.0

[@michaelsundell2422]

This is a truly great run. One of the greatest in the annals of running. Wasn't run like a world record attempt even. Totally uneven rhythms. And yet the record Ovett set lasted for nearly 9 years regardless. Subsequently it was bettered over the next ten years, down to Komen's 7.58.61. And that hasn't been bested since it was run in 1997. This is a run that makes it clear that the ceiling of Ovett's potential was something near some of the records that are still in place today.

[@martynhanson]

I think Cram had two big efforts at it and failed. Didn't Aouita fail in his first go at it too?

[@jamescarpenter6585]

People talk about Coe’s elegant running style....Ovett here is effortless, almost at a jog against that year’s athlete of the year Henry Rono!

[@Grendel2912]

Rest in Peace Henry.

[@duckpond01.21]

big man who could produce big strides AND turn over quickly

[@gjpound6219]

steve was some athlete.

[@mikehodson4911]

awesome!!

[@adamd4390]

Some magic nights at crystal palace wouldve loved to of been there

[@redd605]

Crystal palace crowd loved ovett he always did most years the cross country when there was a meeting . and the athletics meeting on the track and named a road after him near crystal palace as well.

[@GordHerrema-rs1rj]

Would love to see the 10k track race between Rono & Salazar. It was just the 2 of them. Salazar led the whole way but Rono got him at the tape.

[@runcaz7802]

Wasted a good half second waving to the crowd and STILL got the WR.

[@apexit1]

Sublime finish from ovett there.

[@owenthackeray4195]

Ovett majestic at his best.

[@pedrosanchezsanchez7569]

Magnífico Ovett, magnifico

[@brainbaskerville3341]

it about time we got world beaters now we got one

[@evamose3984]

Rip Henry Rono

[@terrydickinson3296]

Nice to see Rono losing a race , all I remember as a kid was Brendan Foster rocking, rolling and toiling in his wake.

[@ThvonS]

Well done

[@lesliemcdermott2440]

Arrogant indeed!

[@mao555mmm]

Оветт, конечно, очень хорош! Коу и рядом с ним не стоял)

[@pesokit]

Оветт конечно был очень силён!

[@lanagorgeous9485]

Kenyans couldn't sprint back then, had no real closing speed. So different nowadays :) If Henry Rono could have had a real kick, he would have been unstoppable!

[@anthonyclarke5579]

Big difference between arrogant and confident. Ovett displayed confidence.

[@MuhammadIlyas-fe1df]

Kool

[@markpatterson2764]

There’s a reason Coe never raced Ovett over a single mile/1500m at there peaks(ie not after running 5 races in a week at the Olympics) because Seb knew he had no chance,Ovett would have stayed with him as he would any of the great middle distance runners and pulled away on the final bend.

[@markrogers64]

Always liked him more than Coe.

[@thomas1630]

Rono could not have run a more stupider race even if he tried, and Ovett ran smart.

[@julianhicks8435]

Trying to get hold of a program from meeting .....

[@allenrichardson6390]

We haven't had anyone like Rono since Prefontaine.

[@msp5138]

Please share what WR Prefontaine set? Please share what global medals Prefontaine won. Prefontaine's best time, in his best event, was still 9 seconds off the WR (13:1.0) set in 1972 . And he ran that slow time (13:21.9) two years later in 1974! Prefontaine raced in Europe at least 8 times and only won 1 race. Good thing for him, Africans didn't start running at US universities until the late 70s or he'd have zero NCAA titles...

[@stonekeeper86]

Its Hank Rono....

[@SuperEino]

Typical Ovett. Sit in the whole race then take the piss in surging past in the last 100mts.

[@adamd4390]

John Bicourt ovett took the piss alright waving to the crowd

[@TermiteUSA]

Ovetts pacing was better.

[@mikenshirl]

Ovett wast beaten by Rono earlier in the year in a 3000m, I think. There is no way a June 1978 Rono could have been beaten by Ovett, or anyone else at the time for that matter. You have to move forward in time to the drug cheaters like Aouita in the 80's, and then the 90's up EPO abusers to surpass Rono. Ovett didn't have an 8:06 two mile in him, ever! Rono's world record at 3000m proved he could have run 8:06 and change. That said, Ovett won when it counted, story over. But I'll always prefer Rono's style. He bullied his opponents. Love that. Ovett waited and just won in the end. And you can't argue with that.

[@AthletixStuffChannel]

Agreed Rono was going off the boil by this race...he'd had a hell of a long season...and Ovett did his usual late season peak. The race that never was was a few weeks earlier when they were meant to meet at this track over the mile. Unfortunately President Kenyatta died that day and all the Kenyan athletes pulled out of the meet. Now that could've been something special! They of course met over the mile in Japan a week or so after this 2M race,but Rono was shot by then. Still the most exciting middle distance runner I've ever seen...

[@francishooton3933]

Ovett had also had a long season. Neither of you are being fair to Ovett.

[@MrSupplementScene]

I don't think you can say Rono was good for 8:06 off a 7:32 3k. That's only a 34 second differential when Komen's differential was 38 seconds. The best differential is Geb's 36 seconds, but he was a 10k/Marathon beast with superior aerobic capacity. Peak Rono was probably good for 8:11 on that basis as his overall 3k pace was nearly a second slower than Komen for every 200m. Could Ovett run a 8:11 pace? Hard to say but he did look comfortable at 8:13. Aoutia couldn't beat 8:13 despite his 12:58 5k and 2:29 1500m. So great range here from Ovett. Maybe Ovett could have ran quicker 1500s and got a good 5k time himself?

[@stonekeeper86]

Rono couldn't beat Ovett at any distance.........

[@mikenshirl]

Stone Keeper On May 24,1978, Rono beat Ovett by 4.18 seconds in a 3000m race. Can't change history.

[@kurtfrancis4621]

The finger waving #1 salute that Ovett made some 60-70m from the finish should've been enough to disqualify this performance as it clearly an unsportsman-like, contemptuous of the field display. The sign of an athlete who had no respect for others.

[@mizofan]

He's acknowledging the crowd

[@kurtfrancis4621]

Never liked Ovett precisely because of what he pulled going down the final 100m. Raising a triumphant finger to the crowd some 50-60 meters out - complete arrogance and not putting in 100% effort through the finish. Not good sportsmanship at all.

[@jindersingh8361]

Oveet is a cheat chiken never at all set the pace

[@stevenpurves3266]

can you explain 'cheat'....its a race, fair enough rono set the pace, ovett and others were within theyre race rights to run as they wanted...and bang he got beat, rono was always a front runner and got his results just like ovett and others who tactics are different..some worked, some didnt....stop whingeiing and try doing what they had to do...its sport

[@johngordon2382]

Your just a fucking pleb

[@simontufnell]

Rono was trying to lose him, all Ovett had to do was keep up with him. Simple but effective tactics.