The GREATEST Track Race of ALL TIME!!

[@TheAthleteSpecial]

Could not agree more. This race gives me goosebumps every time

[@henrylister5530]

The Athlete Special can’t believe you’re retiring 😳😩

[@mangss9602]

Heyyyyyyyy

[@KuIJohnQ]

@@henrylister5530 It's understandable now that he has a kid

[@henrylister5530]

Mr. Ku yes you have to respect the decision 😩😵

[@fastinradfordable]

From the looks of it and the history I really suspect lagat let him win at the line.

[@mikehawk9551]

My personal favorite race ever is the 2012 Olympic 800 meter final. The slowest finisher ran a 1:43 which would have won most Olympics, and Rudisha’s world record was the icing on the cake.

[@btstrout2761]

Yep, the 2012 Olympic 800 meter final is my choice as well.

[@PresbianTier]

@Dimitris Tsekouras congrats that's a good time. Are you a sophomore or a junior?

[@PresbianTier]

good choice. I think either that one or the 2016 Olympic 400m race would have been my pick for the best race of all if winning time was the only factor.

[@Cornrelish1600]

This is definitely one of the top 5.

[@brianwellman8462]

Yes 1:43.77 for last place and 1:42.95 for 5th . Greatest race top to bottom.

[@paulsoderquist4788]

El Guerrouj was the very first track athlete I idolized. For my final project in a painting class I even chose to paint a picture of his famous 2-fingered look of excitement after winning both the 1500 and 5k. It all started because I was a 1600m runner (American schools do that) and I wanted to know who held the mile world record. I had no idea that his achievements were so outstanding. As 13 more years have gone by and he is still the solid world record holder it appears my obsession with him back then was justified.

[@fender1000100]

I cried after this race when I saw the emotion that came out of El Guerrouj and the sincere sportsmanship of the other competitors. It was his last chance to get that gold. And for some of them it was their last chance too. One of the greatest moments in Olympic history.

[@dimitrispantazopoulos8775]

I was in the Olympic stadium and saw it live. The screen doesn't do it justice and you've made a small mistake. It was blistering fast in the middle of the race.From 800m up tp 1200m he passed in 53 sec!!! The last lap was a 51 !!! We didn't notice it at the time because we were absorbed by this thriller, but we couldn't believe the pace these guys where running! We had never seen anything like it! I still can't believe it till this day. I'll never forget this race and it's the golden standard to which I compare every race I've seen since then! I consider myself blessed and extremely lucky to have seen such a wonder! And after a few hours I watched Isinbayeva breaking the women's world record in the pole vault! What a day that was!!!

[@charlesthorndike2702]

El Guerrouj's last 800m were run in 1:46.7! His last 400m was 51.91. Last 300m in 38.98. Last 200m in 24.9. Last 100m in 13.4. HOLY HOT DAMN

[@valar_dohaeris7387]

The man is a machine... pretty sure in his mile world record he ran 16 consecutive 13.8 second 100 meters.

[@collyernicholasjohn]

His second last 100 m was in 11.5 seconds 😧🙌👍

[@valar_dohaeris7387]

@@collyernicholasjohn Damn... that's even more insane.

[@Paul-ek5lu]

@@collyernicholasjohn You timed it?

[@collyernicholasjohn]

@@Paul-ek5lu Crazy, I know: it’s math.

[@kevinkim9620]

I remember watching this race so many times throughout high school to get me pumped up for a XC or track meet. Dude is still my running hero despite me running roads now

[@MohamedTaha-jp5if]

Hey , it's the same I keep watching it from a time to time , you won't believe the joy we had that day, and after 16 years it is still worth to see it. The guy is a living legend

[@imax2000]

As a Moroccan I was about to die of heart attack by the end of that race.

[@runnigncoachuk7647]

My fav, so good

[@MaloPiloto]

Congratulations 🍾. Your countryman came through under the most trying of circumstances!

[@jodylowe8476]

Im glad you didnt

[@adamplayzs2848]

I am from Libya and my whole family felt the same

[@jodylowe8476]

As a North Carolinian, I thought it was a pretty good race.

[@MauritzCTuit]

Great choice. Too many to choose from! Rudisha's 800m comes to mind as well.

[@Worldpeaceforeverremains]

Radisha did not have any competition at all. He was going easy and just pure domination, El G did that all his life but this Olympics was a doubt that he may not after all these years of domination. El G was towards the end and Radisha was in his top.

[@stevespyder]

800 is my fav distance, technically a sprint race, only 2 laps, there is no sitting back and waiting. you have to go almost full out like a jet, and hope your afterburners get you through the 2nd lap...

I ran 800 Meter in College. NCAA All American. But when someone runs a 1:40 800M its VERY suspicious. Yes, their all doing it.

[@palootto4021]

@ Oh please!

[@ILoveDawko]

@@Worldpeaceforeverremains That's not true at all - in the London Olympics the top 3 in the final all broke the Olympic record! It's just that Rudisha was even better

[@robertkingsland1734]

Emile Zatopek’s marathon run in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. He had never before competed at this distance, yet he won the gold and his time set an Olympic record. This, after taking golds in the 5000 meters and the 10000 meter races only a few days earlier. Zátopek is and was a running legend, a national hero in his native Czechoslovakia, and a magnificent human being. He gave his Olympic gold medal from his win in the 10000 meters in Helsinki to Ron Clarke, the Australian world record holder at that distance, who had failed to win the gold at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. Clarke, devastated by his loss, eventually decided to travel to Prague to see his hero whom he had never met. Clarke arrived unannounced but Zátopek welcomed him into his home. When Clarke left Prague after a short stay, Zátopek gave him a package, telling Clarke “You deserve this.” After Clarke took his seat on the plane, he unwrapped the package and found Zattopek’s 10000 meter gold medal from the Helsinki games.

[@richardclapp9486]

Zatopek was a hero and guide to many long distance runners during the 60's (and beyond) I idolized him while training for marathons. Met him at the 1950 Olympics in Rome, and got his autograph. Stick figure of him running and his wife chasing him with a javelon richard Clapp

[@radekl9859]

Zatopeks tree gold medals in 1952 Olympics were truly unbelievable. Not nice running style but great will and effort. Movie about him goes to cinemas in late august 2021 - looking forward to it.

[@rankoutsider1977]

Amazing story :)

[@ZarpSterr]

I agree....HOW do you top that.

[@alexlovessamoyeds]

Clarke was twice beaten. First by Gammoudi and then by Mills. Plus a poor sport bc he clearly pushed Mills. Zatopek should have kept his medal. He deserved it not Clarke.

[@thejaramogi1]

As a Kenyan, It felt like Bernard Lagat did not loose Gold he gave 100% But Hicham El Guerrouj gave much more and run at least 1504 m to win it! The courage and focus he showed is immeasurable! Yes, it's one of the greatest race thus far!

[@fastinradfordable]

the jaramogi I still say it looks like lagat let up and let hicham win. Knowing it was hichams last olympics. When lagat still had more chances to Keep dominating. He let him win out of respect. Who wants to be the guy who sits and kicks to edge out a legend. As prefontaine would say: “that’s chicken shit”

[@raslma3zasi55]

إستيقظ للواقع هل هناك عداء يتخلى على افضل إنجاز في ألعاب القوى نحن لا ننكر قوة برنارد لاغات و أخلاقه الرائعة ، لاكنه لأكتر من 8 سنوات هو خلف هشام وما هو قولك عندما كان برنارد لاغات في سباق 5000M و فعل نفس الشيئ مع كينينيسة بيكيلي حاول تجاوزه في الامتار الاخيرة لاكنه فشل هناك ايضا بسبب السرعة النهاية هن نقول انه سمح له بالفوز هناك أيضا 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@alexlovessamoyeds]

@@fastinradfordable No one lets someone else be Olympic champion.

[@carlrossi7989]

I was fortunate enough to watch that race live, in the Olympic Stadium, and if this wasn't the "Greatest Track Race, Ever...." It has to be one of the top three [2012 m 800 final and 2000 m 10000 final would also be on my list]. ElG and Lagat certainly get all the well-deserved glory but look at what Rui Silva did in the same race-I need to go back and look at the splits but I believe he may have run the fastest final 800 of the medalists. Thanks for posting and for your commentary, watching this today brought back lots of happy memories of that warm August evening in Athens.

[@kenrolston]

Yes, Silva's last lap was insane. The 800 in London was epic but not close at the finish. The 10K battle between Tergat and Haile G was thrilling, but I believe this was the greatest of all the races. I mean 1:46 for the last 800, Geez !!

[@Esther3358]

Great choice! I love how you set the scene by going through previous build up

[@billybud9557]

Absolutely agree with you. The quality of a race is determined by more than just the stopwatch. With tremendous pressure, and one chance left, the real winner stepped up. Ngeny and Lagat, great though they were, always sat in rocking chair, doing as little as possible, while trying to collect a medal. El. G is the greatest ever! And this was his finest moment. Thanks for vid.

[@Cornrelish1600]

I 100% agree. The comeback story on top of the execution in the 2004 Olympics as well it being the last track competition of his career makes this the greatest of all time.

[@waynebambury5651]

Love your commentary. Insightful and educated. As an Australian being at the Olympic Stadium in 2000 when Cathy Freeman won gold in the 400m was spine chilling. 110,000 fans all screaming and cheering her on. The wall of sound was unbelievable. Same night was the 10,000m between Gebrselassie and Tergat. What a race, and what a night!!!!!!

[@elguapolegendariocasanova5615]

So much heartbreak leading up to this race and then to be passed by a great finisher again in the last 100 could only mean more heartbreak. But against all odds he did the impossible and caught and passed the great finisher! Holy moly this made my eyes get watery and I agree it's the greatest race ever ..

[@joejet8982]

Super! For me was the 5000m in the same olympic. Given the quality and renown of the competitors and the fact that the 5000m was not Al Garuj's strong point, and the fact that the Moroccan had just won the 1500m, this event has remained more ingrained in the memory of those of us who love track and field.

[@maromorostar6621]

There is a couple good ones, but I agree this one really was epic, goosebumps all over my body. I almost cried when Hicham cried, I could feel the weight from his body dissapear in too the thin air after the race. The best and most emotional race of all time. The tears that he dropped at the podium under the national anthem. He waited so long for this moment. Beautiful emotional story. Beautiful race 🏁👏👌

[@razudinhamzah5789]

When I first saw the title I immediately thought of Hicham el Guerrrough and Emilie Zatopek ! Thank you so much 🌹

[@JayB2]

Yes that was a stunning race. it's amazing El Guerrouj still holds the world record in the 1500 & the mile. It's also stunning that Lagat is still competing & in his 40's.

[@rossfripp4503]

@Richard Milliken Can you let WADA know, you clearly know something they don't.

[@jessez8503]

@Richard Milliken I don't think the tests for Kenyan athletes are done in Kenya when they are taking part in international tournaments.

[@jessez8503]

@Richard Milliken well,you are suggesting that all the Kenyans set their records when there were no tests for EPO which is wrong. Most of the current records held by Kenyans were set after the year 2000 so it doesn't matter whether EPO is easier to get than a six-pack of beer as you think because EPO has been detectable since 2000. You also don't have to have EPO present in your system to get caught, if have to have a higher than normal red blood cell count you can be stopped from competing unless you can prove that your body is always like that. You sound like someone who thinks that anyone who's better than him or his favourite athlete has to be cheating.

[@jessez8503]

@Richard Milliken Kipchoge isn't the only Kenyan who holds a distance world record. The half marathon,10km, 25km, 30km and 50km records are held by Kenyans according to the world athletics website. The women's 20km and Marathon records are also held by Kenyans. These records were broken after 2004. Microdosing is a problem but you and I have no way of knowing If these records were EPO aided or not because they didn't fail the drug tests and all the athletes could be Microdosing. A better Microdosing test was supposed to be introduced this year,so let's wait and see how that affects the sport. I don't know why you think that I was suggesting that you think that only Africans dope, most Africa countries are not even that good at distance running. The only reason I was defending Kenyans was because you singled them out when we know which countries are really at the cutting edge of new and undetectable PED development,and I don't think that's the Kenyans. Don't turn this into something it's not to make me look bad.

[@jessez8503]

@Richard Milliken it's not really about Kenya for me, it could have been any country and I would have the same problem I have with your statement. the problem is you are presenting your options as facts. Everybody knows doping is a big problem in athletics. It's true that many Kenyan athletes have failed tests but this isn't about those athletes. The athletes in this video didn't fail any tests that I know of. Kenya was investigated in 2016 and there was no evidence of an institutionalised system according to WADA. Their athletes have also been under more scrutiny since that investigation but they still have fewer positives than most of the big athletics nation's. Actually, they are not even one of the top 10 countries with the most doping cases both by number of cases and percentage of tests. The list is dominated by the USA, European countries and China. These places have the most resources, pharmaceutical companies and a bigger incentive to setup an institutionalized doping system.Do you really think that armstrong would have been able to setup the system he needed to pull off what he did if he was Kenyan? I doubt that he would have been as successful as he was or for as long as he was. There is no doubt that some Kenyan athletes are doping but there is no evidence that it's more widespread there.

[@jonlinin9682]

Good stuff, but the race that still thrills me is Commonwealth Games 1500 in Christchurch 1974. Bayi vs Dixon vs Walker vs Jipcho - exciting.

[@PeterBrown-sn2ds]

Agreed 1st and 2nd both broke the world record and 3rd equaled it! Amazing race

[@abderrahimhidar3360]

I'm from morocco and proud of Hicham El garouj Great work again for your best channel ever

[@brianmessemer2973]

As you should be!

[@marknorris1381]

Definitely. One of the greatest, if not the greatest.

[@mohamedimbratoor6993]

@@marknorris1381 3 min 26 :00 Corre 🙂

[@marknorris1381]

@@mohamedimbratoor6993 I was cheering for him in the 1500 and the 5000, hoping he would win both races. He deserved to. Such an amazing competitor.

[@MohamedTaha-jp5if]

You won't believe how Moroccans were feeling when Lagat passed el Guerrouj , everyone shaking then the goat return to get the gold then a big joy. Thanks for the video, keep it up

[@CuriousCyclist]

I love El Guerrouj as he's so gracious in defeat. He's very quick to congratulate the winner.

[@greedyready1]

Yes I agree....similar to the struggle that Sebastian Coe faced in the 1500m in Moscow in 1980. Having lost the 800m when firm favourite, he had a simple opportunity to redeem himself in the 1500m but Steve Ovett being the favourite over that distance stood in his way. I personally rate that race as the best of all time, possibly as I’m biased as it was a battle of the Brits but also because it’s quite amazing how Coe held himself together both mentally and physically between the 800 and 1500 finals and triumphed.

[@Shabasam19]

El Gerrouj was one of the very first athletes I real idolized (after Carl Lewis) and was always heartbroken at his Olympics failures. Was extremely happy for his 2004 goal but with all due respect, my mind just can’t go off 800m at London 2012. Can literally visualize that race in my mind from start to finish - such an epic performance. Rudisha leading from gun to tape and breaking the WR - this is stuff of the legends.

[@fodicky4]

This man is definitely one of THE GREATEST distance runners of all time!!!

[@dirodabraat8290]

Ratmaster4000 nahh

[@fodicky4]

@@dirodabraat8290 I have followed his career since the 90s, you have your opinion but Hicham El Guerrouj was a beast in his prime... Every runner wanted to beat him or be him. That is Greatness right there

[@alis05]

@@dirodabraat8290 naah? wtf..ur a fool. He's not one of. He's THE Greatest of all time. Olympic champion in 2 distances, world champion countless times. His mile and 1500 records are still holding 22 years later and nobody even close.

[@dirodabraat8290]

Ali cry stupid

[@alis05]

@@dirodabraat8290 no reason for me to cry. Just wanted to shut u up. Looks like it worked since u hv nothing to say.

[@Arek152]

I absoulutely agree with your choice. But it's worth to mention 2009 Berlin 10000 final where Zerseney Tadese pushed the pace so he droped everyone but Kenenisa Bekele. And Bekele was following him all the time and everyone knew what was going to happen long before the end of the race. And what happened was Bekele's final lap kick and he won by about 50 meters made in the last 400m.

[@gorytv9847]

Dave Wottle comeback 800 was epic

[@chazbo3071fun]

I agree. Dave Wottle had tendinitis in his knee and was unable to train for weeks prior to the Games. In an interview years later, he said he was unable to keep up with the pack the first lap because he was so undertrained but managed to make up the distance with a tremendous finish...the most exciting finish in Olympic history.

[@joelwillems4081]

Massive, massive track impact in the United States. This race, will great on a competitive field level and personal level, really didn't have a great impact for a country or even that distance. It's not like he's Naftali Temu at the 1968 Mexico City Olympis. The first Kenyan to win a gold medal and literally start that country on fire for running.

[@joelwillems4081]

Gives me goosebumps. I can also watch Billy Mills 10k on repeat. "Look at Mills, look at Mills!"

[@Bonobopantherienbionique]

It was a great race, but not epic imho. The only impressive things about the race (aside from olympic final of course hehe) are the even splits, the comeback and the injury factor.

[@marknorris1381]

No doubt about it, an amazing performance. Cool customer Dave Wottle.

[@TheBigwillistyle]

A great race to choose. In my book it's the 1972 Olympics 5000m. It was Pre who pushed the pace from start to finish, and it took a doped up Lasse Viren to beat him, and by the end Pre left it all out on the track for 4th. It's still regarded by many as the greatest 5K of all time.

[@mydiscworld]

I actually thought his 5000m gold 4 days later was more shocking as Bekele was unbeaten in 4 years

[@Oenloveslife]

He had been undefeated in the 10K though, I think.

[@saryassine]

As a Moroccan l can't agree more . I remember tearing up watching that race . And your video brought back those tears and memories. What a legend Elgarrouj is indeed the GOAT

[@reinderprince7292]

" Can he go from champion to legend?! (...) He's a legend!" Goosebumps everytime🙏

[@TheLegenDacster]

I believe that your production is just brilliant. Bravo. The Seb Coe 1980 (1st August) 1500mts win was epic, he had lost the 800mts (26th July) and was possibly going home without Gold. There are so many stellar races.

[@aspenrebel]

Wow there are so many to consider. But I may concede this race to you. Definitely up there in tops.

[@altareggo]

The man narrating this, is a GREAT story-teller!!! He draws us into the story and keeps us on the edge of our seat. RESPECT!!!!

[@finlayhutchinson7370]

1:46 last 800!! That would rank number one in the UK this year and in the middle of a 1500?

[@stevespyder]

would love to see him try just an 800

[@joelwillems4081]

But they ran slower at the beginning finishing several seconds off of WR or OR pace. 1:46 is USA's boys high school record at that distance. Donavan Brazier set the American Record in 2019 at 1:42.34. An American in fourth place at that race was just two seconds behind.

[@finlayhutchinson7370]

@@joelwillems4081 What I'm trying to say is that it's impressive.

[@kirkdillabaugh1627]

Yes, but 1:47 for the first 700 would hardly count as racing for these guys - more like a quick warm up, then they get a running start. Still pretty impressive.

[@finlayhutchinson7370]

@@kirkdillabaugh1627 they did the last 800 in 1:46 not the first 700. I could do a 1:46 700.

[@pakalwotan]

Finally you hit one right! Not that there are other races that can compete with this one but this is a truly good bet. Emil Zatopek's marathon is another winner; Alain Mimoun's Olympic's gold medals after losing so many times against the great Zatopek can be considered and Lasse Viren's 10,000 mts. gold medal after falling at the Munich Olympic games is also one of my favorite.

[@wydadiyoun]

The 5000 m in the same olympics had the most epic podium you could even dream of: El Guerouj, Bekele, Kipchoge! Three absolut legends

[@rcjoker63]

I’m from the U.S., so for me it’s Dave Wottle 72 Olympics ...I watched this race once and will probably never watch it again, at least not on purpose ...but that Wottle race I can watch over and over and over again and still get chills from it

[@Fortnitefan111YT]

Agree. If I need motivation. I watch that race. I remember as a young kid seeing the guy with the hat coming from last place to win

[@CaribbeanMischief]

The 2000 10K final with Tergat and Geb was also amazing

[@freshappleseed6966]

With all those factors within the race and even building up to the race, it really was phenomenal and jaw-dropping. Great video. I will have to mention though, what about all the other competitors in the race? To be fair, that 1500m race was much more than just El Gerrouj; I feel like Bernard Lagat should've at least been given a more fleshed out build up and analysis. Great video either way, just wanted to mention that.

[@koreishite]

Tears still come down my eyes whenever I watch this race

[@JamesYeang]

Wow. Just watched the replay of this race with original commentary. Really good one.

[@harrihietajarvi1]

My favourite is definitely men’s 5000 m final in Montreal olympics 1976, when Lasse Viren won his 4th olympic gold medal.

[@TotalRunningProductions]

That was a great race!

[@baz1289]

Too many doubts.

[@jefffawcett]

Get out of here with the blood doper, his medals are totally tainted

[@harrihietajarvi1]

The competitors who lost him, and some delusional (american) journalists have made those allegations, but nobody has proved nothing. So get out of here with your false arguments.

[@colinobrien8327]

Fabulous race but lots of doubts

[@yassinbousif6952]

We Moroccans are proud of Hicham and I’m pleased to see you talk about him in your channel I hope you could review Soufian El Bakkali’s racing potentials I love how your videos are very easy to understand by beginners

[@Sal_lazaro]

The goat at 1500 and the mile 🏃🏽‍♂️💨

[@rufuskeja6490]

Mine is the 2012 London Olympics 800m men's final. The modest-looking David Rudisha broke a world record in front of one of the biggest crowd...showing the whole world the finest piece of running. Many people watch Olympics track and field. But they rarely get to see a world record broken- live! And the rest of that line up... they performed like true Olympians-all of them ran like it was their last race ever. And to imagine that some of the boys were juniors... My feeling : all of those runners should have been given "special medals or trophies" for their phenomenal performances. 2012 men's 800m final was truly a special moment in the history of Olympics track and field.

[@christianhowe8961]

1:46 final 800 after still running at 4 minute mile pace...absolutely insane.

[@firstbornjordan]

Christian Howe Daniel Komen maintained sub four minute pace for four times 800 m during his 2 Mile Record, that's right back to back sub four minute miles, which he did twice, and no one has ever done it once. He was on track a third time during his world record 3000 metre race - see my comment about - I believe that was the greatest track record of all time. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWfKfYl_dr2Kh9E

[@pozzythump868]

Are you sure you got the times right? At least ten men have run sub-3:32 in the 1500m. He has the mile (1609 meters) record at 3:43. What I find insane about that, is the difference between the two WR's would indicate a final 109 meters in under 13 seconds. Two different races, but it'd be 3:11 mile pace!

[@redalien75]

@@pozzythump868 what?

[@beverleymacdonald1352]

There are many special races but agree with this choice given his illnesses in the run up to the Olympics and then his tactical savvy in this race. That final kick at the finish line is epic!

[@frankballard9283]

Three way tie - Dave Wottles 800m, Billy Mills 10,000 m, and me running away from my third wife!

[@khalidchahboune6047]

😂😂 I think the last one might be the greatest 😂👌🏽

[@Tyrone1957]

Undoubtedly. What a race. Even watching it live. Hasn't dimmed it's interest. Great racing

[@lmao7744]

For me, it's the 400m final at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games when Wayde van Niekerk ran a phenomenal 43:03

[@firstbornjordan]

Lehumo Manaka Although I am onsessed with Middle Distance, I have to say, this is one of the most amazing once in a life-time races we had the privilege of witnessing. Thank you. See my comment on Daniel Komen 3000 metre record, or watch the race: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWfKfYl_dr2Kh9E

[@WesW3187]

Yes, it’s Wayne van Niekerk for me, too. The race that was shown was brilliant too.

[@seancullen99]

Great video and pick - so hard to choose from so many on the track. My favorite road race is the 2008 Olympic marathon. Going into the race everyone thought it would be super pedestrian given the heat and smog problems in Beijing (the WR holder at the time, Haile Gebrselassie didn't even line up because of this). However, they were racing sub WR pace from the gun, with Sammy Wanjiru throwing in crazy surges from early on and throughout the race, gradually dropping the field one by one until he crossed the line in an Olympic record. I vividly recall the BBC commentators having to re-check their finishing time predictions as they couldn't believe they were racing so fast, so early. Up to that point, the marathon was a hard run to 20 miles then a proper race for the last 10K. In one fell swoop here, Wanjiru re-wrote the tactical manual for running a marathon. This would be an awesome race for you to cover ;-)

[@aspenrebel]

There was a Boston Marathon where woman runner, can't think of her name (white, little, blonde, maybe German) got "sick" toward later part of race. Many male runners guarding here, dousing her with lots of water. She managed to hang on, recover, and win.

[@koishooter]

This is the second greatest race! The greatest is when El Gerrouj broke the world record for the mile while being chased by 20 year old Noah Ngeny, who also broke the WR (but he came in second). That record still stands, and if Noah would have caught him, a 20 year old would have held the most competitive record in track, and he would still have the record to this day. That race is even more exciting and astounding that a kid almost beat El as he was breaking the record. El HAD to break the record to keep it! Never seen anything like it!

[@claudiodeugenio]

Pick any of Saïd Aouitas 115 wins out of 119 races! He's the sovereign champion over all champions.

[@claudiodeugenio]

@Richard Milliken, I agree on “range”, but “guts”? Don’t confound running with individualistic ambition of intra-personal competitiveness. And it’s Saïd, not said.

[@khalidchahboune6047]

115 out of 119 wow that’s impressive I have to watch some videos 👍🏽

[@jaysingh05]

Wow - before you had even mentioned who, I was wondering and hoping it would be El Gerrouj’s Athens performance. There have been and always will be many many running legends. But somehow el gerrouj, right there in the middle of them all, being the middle distance runner that he was, seems most worthy of carrying the human running torch into eternity.

[@youtubechangemynamewhy]

Last week, I raced my 10 year old nephew for 100 meters and I won. That was the greatest race of all time.

[@chatman2a]

You failed to mention that your nephew is a quadriplegic.

[@bestzimflavors1953]

Well done

[@sebastianphizone4808]

Very good. You get a participarion medal. Stop making it about you.

[@apj341]

We need videotape and proof that you weren't doping :)

[@eruera52]

Handicapped by 40kg fat ego! WTF??? Who the hell is interested in what you do?

[@hatimtim7629]

The nice thing with this choice is not only the race in itself, but the lesson of it to generations to come, the passion,, the drama, the history, the courage, THE race of THE last chance of the greatest 1500 runner of all time to be as such... It's a life race... Like a metaphor! Thank you for this choice...

[@MichaelTaphouse]

When the Kenyan made his move and he found another gear. Ohhh my God. So epic.

[@Scaleoization]

Classicaly the kenyan would have won. But nobody knows how and where did El Guerrouj get that strength to overrun him.

[@johnnyteeter9486]

100% agree. I’ve thought this for years.... But will Bekele vs Kipchoge in the London Marathon might be just as good a comeback story for Bekele!

[@rahnlipp2912]

What his splits 1. 60 sec 2. 60 sec, 800m in 2:01 3. 55 sec 3.75/4th 50sec, 800m in 1:46

[@NizarMajdi]

and the last 300 metters was in proximitly 39 seconds

[@0wenfox]

And beating those other 2 legends in the 5k gold is unprecedented!!! Also the 1500m world record where Noah ngeny and Hicham both broke the previous world record in the same race, that was pretty cool too. Guerrouj is pretty awesome haha

[@_NPJ]

My favourite race of all time is the 2003 WC 5000m in Paris when an 18 year old Kipchoge out kicked El Guerrouj and Kenenisa Bekele. So epic.

[@grantdillon3420]

Dude 1:46 for the Final 800. That just blows my mind. That's only 6 seconds off the 800 WR!

[@infiniteheygtre4580]

I can agree with this.I also really enjoy dave wottles race in the 1972 Olympic finals where he made a huge comeback

[@jllpmusicman]

Along with Billy Mills at Tokyo Olympics . . .

[@outside-atlast9113]

I used to be a cross country runner and I came first in Canada when I was eleven years old. I still run but just for fun. I had to train 7 days a week back then. It was hard work, but the hard work payed off, come race day. Thanks and take care.

[@brahimchhab3608]

That is actually the best race ever of middle distance running because of: 1- It was an Olympic game race with the world record holder HICHAM EL GUERROUJ not winning in the 2 previous olympics 2- The 1500 meters race is the queen of all the races, it is a hell of a race, its training is more difficult than what most people can imagine. 3- lagat knows that the only way he can win is to stay hiding behind el guerrouj as you can see in the video and in all the races, only to come out when el guerrouj is done and got nothing left. Now take a look again at the last 300 meters and see how el Guerrouj manage the race and pay attention to the last 80 meters. 4- the 1500 meters and the mile are the most difficult track events. I was international with Morocco and I trained with those guys. The 1500 and the mile are the most difficult, more difficult than the 800 m and 5000 and 10000. I am not the only one saying this but when you ask Sebastian Coe he will tell you exactly what I just said. Thank you

[@imjustsilleh]

I agree on most of the topics. But I did run 3000m steeple ... I think that there is no race more difficult than this. You just get into the right runnin rythm, and then you have to jump, and start all over again. Very tricky. Don't you think?

[@runnigncoachuk7647]

El Gurrouj, by far the best

[@aspenrebel]

I disagree, the 400m is the most difficult. Ranted long distance races are difficult as well. Actually, you could add 400m hurdles on top of that.

[@aspenrebel]

@Richard Milliken no it isn't!! If you go "all out" in 400 you'd be dead before you hit 200. You don't even go all out in 200. Only in 100 do you go all out. 400 requires very difficult balancing. If you go out too fast you burn out. Not faster enough then you're too far behind at end.

[@aspenrebel]

@Richard Milliken woof!!

[@firstbornjordan]

Great track race and story of individual conquer HEG. The other person who first won the 1500 and 5000 double was the great and enigmatic Paavo Nurmi, 1924 Paris Olympics. I cannot do him justice. Suffice to say his achievement includes: Running both races within 90 minutes, and winning. To prepare for this schedule, this is what he did: "On hearing news of the clash he scheduled a test, held three weeks before the main event, at the Elaintarha stadium in Helsinki. There he smashed the seven-year-old 1500m world record, and less than an hour later broke his own world record in the 5,000m by 7.2 seconds." (The Guardian) I would love to see you do a segment on Nurmi (The Flying Finn).

[@God-cm5xs]

As far as the race and the depth of the runners, I just can’t imagine anything better than the 2012 Olympic final in the 800. Theres been events with perhaps 2 or 3 maybe even 4 runners producing top all time performances in one race. But the whole field in the final of the 800 was crazy fast times. Imagine running a 1:43.7 and getting last. It’s unheard of in anything in track and field.

[@Bart_Allen_YT]

The 2012 100m field was amazing with Richard Thompson, Powell, Gay, Gatlin, Blake and you know who. 7 of the 8 people ran sub 10 times.

[@God-cm5xs]

@@Bart_Allen_YT well yeah but you see sub 10 all the time. You never see what happen then. 1:45 just won the Olympic gold that’s sad 💀

[@Bart_Allen_YT]

@@God-cm5xs do you ever see each of the finishers produce such times...I think not

[@God-cm5xs]

@@Bart_Allen_YT I’m not saying that 100 line up wasn’t super great. I’m just saying the 2012 Olympic final was insane. The last place finisher could of won multiple different Olympics with that time. Could the last place finisher in that open 1 win at a different Olympics? Not even close.

[@Bart_Allen_YT]

@@God-cm5xs I see and take your point. The 7th place finish guy, Richard Thompson of T&T, got 9.98 or something close. Fun fact: Before 1968, no one had ever run a sub 10s time.

[@robertdimoff1158]

Marvelous race you selected. For me the victories during the 1964 Olympics by Abebe Bikila in the marathon and Bob Hayes in the final leg of the 4x100m relay are the most memorable. LOL, yeah, I'm old.

[@tonygalanti7486]

It wasn’t a world record or anything like that, but the race that still gives me goosebumps every time is Chris Solinsky’s Sub 27 10k at Payton Jordan 2010.

[@Sam-gn6og]

the last 800 m of that race is nothing short of incredible

[@pierjaqueantiac4857]

Women’s marathon 1984 LA Olympics. Finisher Gabriela Anderson. Hands down for me.

[@rcdanger]

Bruce: He goes from the greatest never (to have won an Olympic medal), to the best of all time!

[@chaiinspace2]

Is the kipchoge you mentioned at the end the same sub 2 hour kipchoge? Jeepers. It is. 2004 till now!

[@landonboomsma2594]

2012 Olympic 100m final is the greatest race of all time. You had the 1,2,3,4,5, and 9th fastest 100m runners of all time in the same race

[@matvondjedidovic3575]

And Bolt gave them a lesson!!!

[@jefffawcett]

A 100 meters can never be the greatest race because there’s no strategy involved and it’s over in a flash.

[@altods]

The 2004 1500 race was fantastic! Can't argue with that. The last 800 meter time was unbelievable. But I have to go with Dave Wottle's 1972 800 meter win and Billy Mills 10,000 meter win in 1964.

[@G.Uppercut123]

That final 800m time is mind blowing! wow!!!

[@mikeikeda1208]

I had the pleasure of seeing the great Ron Clarke run a 3 mile race in Toronto in 1965. But the race that stands out for me was Bob Schul winning the 5,000 meters Gold in Tokyo in 1964. He kicked the final quarter in 54 seconds which was awesome.

[@foodhealthsuccess9573]

Greatest and most difficult race ever, the way he won it was extraordinary, can't imagine last 800m in 1.46 sec.

[@andrewjennings2362]

Food, Health & Success Totally agree, when Olympic middle distance races often go slow and tactical, and El Guerrouj had a kick that could finish such a race, but he chose to really put it to the field, without pacemakers to lead

[@RishabhSharma10225]

Yeah 800m in 1.46 seconds seems impossible even for sound itself. It's a miracle he ran faster than that.

[@GardenChess]

“1.46 seconds” 💀

[@arjunsunil8804]

400m Hurdles final - 2020 Tokyo Olympics by Karsten Warholm

[@markun79]

Roger Bannister - 4 minute mile. This race did more for running than any other single race by far

[@xc13z829]

When he said at the beginning "the race with the greatest impact on running" I repeated "Roger Bannister" 3 times. The 2004 1500m was an incredible race. But impact? Roger Bannister.

[@sergiol652]

I have to agree. Saw it live and I've never saw a more courageous performance in Track and Field...

[@ryangonzaga2874]

Amazing. How about Zatopek's triple gold at the Olympics??

[@mtgne5351]

Thanks!

[@jeffbarbour2194]

Agree!

[@palacerevolution2000]

It's too bad that some of the very greats like Zatopek, or Nuurmi are from the dark days; of grainy b&w footage. So their stories don't receive the emotional coverage that modern day runners get.

[@palacerevolution2000]

@Richard Milliken You are so right! I watch today's races, and I invariably wonder, why they even bother including the Euro contingent.

[@richardalexcm]

Completamente de acuerdo amigo... esa carrera fue épica por todo lo que representaban para el gran Hichan... Best regards from Cuenca, Ecuador!

[@ianclarke5404]

I've just seen the 1500 from the 1972 Olympics that takes some beating and I'm biased but i loved the rivalry between Seb Coe and Steve Ovett and more latterly Steve Cram ,halcyon days for British middle distance running.

[@aspenrebel]

Yeah that was a good one.

[@MrJaber101]

What a race that was. I remember watching it live. El Guerrouj has made us Moroccans proud that Olympic

[@jamesoconnor3562]

Men's 10 thousand meters in the 1964 olympics . Bill Mills, greatest event ever. My opinion.

[@donaldjamesparker1276]

I'm with you - though I might be a little partisan - not only being an American, but from South Dakota as well - the home of Billy Mills.

[@eruera52]

Only if you're American - of course it is :)

[@badbrains28]

It doesn’t look like their going fast at all from the top side angle but when they cut to the ground level view. They are flying down the track.

[@LK-bz9sk]

I remember these races like yesterday. What an athlete.

[@cooldude-lp3ih]

No race will ever compare to the Paris 2003 world finals of the 5k, it showcases 3 running greats all pushing themselves to their limit, with an exhilarating kick finish, how could it not be loved

[@PresbianTier]

name wise and shocking factor this race was great. Honestly i would not pick it as the GOAT of races because I think the race was more of a building factor to 3 great careers outside of Hicham of course.

[@CharmsDad]

Olympic 10,000 meters, Tokyo 1964. The field was one of, if not the, strongest in history. There were multiple favorites, all with exceptional times coming into the race, including the then current world record holder and a number of athletes who had or would medal in other Olympic finals. The lead changed 25 times through the course of the race. An unknown American, Billy Mills, won in dramatic fashion when he launched a phenomenal kick after being shoved out into the fourth lane in the back stretch and falling several meters behind. It’s still amazing to watch.

[@ericpetersen8645]

Good choice, though I would say Billy Mills 1964 Olympic 10000 meters is the greatest race of all time. Talk about adversity and against the odds!

[@fastinradfordable]

Eric Petersen agree with you. Has to be the largest PR in an Olympic track race ever?

[@aspenrebel]

Ummmm!!!

[@jpsned]

@@fastinradfordable Beat his previous PR by 45 seconds!

[@jacklee9044]

Or Lasse Viren 1972 Olympics 10000 meters

[@joelwillems4081]

@@jacklee9044 The guy falls down and WINS! Then goes out and repeats in the 5k just days later.

[@thomasmeyers3521]

It's tough to pick one; but, the Lezak swim (Jason Lesak anchoring the Men's 4x100m race, making it possible for Phelps to exceed Spitz's gold medals) in the 2008 summer games stands right out! That was one amazing race -- he pulled a real rabbit out of his hat, and was able to defeat demons from his past and also pull off the fastest split in swimming history at that point.

[@joeyalexander7669]

I've always admired El Guerrouj and his determination to finally win an Olympic title, however my favorite race of his is his Mile WR, followed by his 1500m WR. Both were ridiculous as they still stand strong today, but the mile just edges out the 1500m as it was a race between him and Noah Ngheny, rather than just being paced to a WR. However in my opinion, the greatest track race of all time was the Moscow 1980 800m between Steve Ovett and Seb Coe.

[@aminezemzmialaoui2007]

I would say the 1500m in world champions 1999 in Sevilla , elguerrouj, morceli, ngeny, estevez, cacho, and the other great names , that was truly a race to remember with adil elkaouch from Morocco sacrificing and taking the pace for his teammate elgueerouj who finishes with kisses and Easley the race with 3:27,

[@gregoryrowlerson8457]

Yes, extremely underrated race.

[@Notnotcam]

Bekele vs. El geruge vs. Eliud kipchoge in the world champs where eliud somehow outkicked em both

[@ethanennis8]

Cam Sakuma The 2003 5K, 2004 1500m & 5K have to be the best stretch of races ever, and that 5K field, with the Greatest 1500m/Miler, Greatest 5K/10K (and xc), and the Greatest Marathoner all in the same race

[@Hackfleisch_hassende_Zerhacker]

Geruge? Are you serious? Come on.

[@BuggatiWeryon]

@@Hackfleisch_hassende_Zerhacker Guerrouj, his surname is hard to spell

[@Hackfleisch_hassende_Zerhacker]

@@BuggatiWeryon And why are you telling me this?

[@BuggatiWeryon]

@@Hackfleisch_hassende_Zerhacker cuz you replied with are you serious??? dont start a grammar offense

[@peterpiper831]

My favourite must be the 5 000 metre race at the 1990 Commonwealth Games at Auckland. With 2 falls, a mad dash and an incredible comeback, it was brilliant.

[@theodoredemarest4904]

One of my favorites is from Berlin 2009, the men’s 10,000.