World Records - 800 m Men
The 800 m Men world record stands at 1:40.91, set by David Rudisha (KEN) in 2012. Explore its full progression through athletics history.
DR
800 mètresMen
WR
1:40.91WR
KENKENAugust 9, 2012
London, United Kingdom
Record standing for: 14 years, 1 months
Record History
| Performance | Athlete | Country | Date | Competitions | Gap vs WR | Duration | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1:40.91WR | David Rudisha | KEN | Aug 9, 2012 | London, United Kingdom | WR | 14y 1mo (Current) | -0.10s |
1:41.01 | David Rudisha | KEN | Aug 29, 2010 | Rieti, Italy | +0.10s | 2y | -0.08s |
1:41.09 | David Rudisha | KEN | Aug 22, 2010 | Berlin, Germany | +0.18s | 7d | -0.02s |
1:41.11 | Wilson Kipketer |  DEN | Aug 24, 1997 | Cologne, Germany | +0.20s | 13y | -0.13s |
1:41.24 | Wilson Kipketer | DEN | Aug 13, 1997 | Zürich, Switzerland | +0.33s | 11d | -0.49s |
1:41.73 | Wilson Kipketer | DEN | Jul 7, 1997 | Stockholm, Sweden | +0.82s | 1mo | - |
1:41.73 | Sebastian Coe |  GBR | Jun 10, 1981 | Florence, Italy | +0.82s | 16y 1mo | -0.67s |
1:42.4 | Sebastian Coe | GBR | Jul 5, 1979 | Oslo, Norway | +1.49s | 1y 11mo | -1.00s |
1:43.4 | Alberto Juantorena |  CUB | Aug 21, 1977 | Sofia, Bulgaria | +2.49s | 1y 11mo | -0.10s |
1:43.5 | Alberto Juantorena | CUB | Jul 25, 1976 | Montreal, Canada | +2.59s | 1y 1mo | -0.20s |
1:43.7 | Marcello Fiasconaro |  ITA | Jun 27, 1973 | Milan, Italy | +2.79s | 3y 1mo | -0.60s |
1:44.3 | David Wottle |  USA | Jul 1, 1972 | Eugene, United States | +3.39s | 11mo | - |
1:44.3 | Ralph Doubell |  AUS | Oct 15, 1968 | Mexico City, Mexico | +3.39s | 3y 9mo | -1.40s |
1:45.7 | Roger Moens |  BEL | Aug 3, 1955 | Oslo, Norway | +4.79s | 13y 2mo | -0.90s |
1:46.6 | Rudolf Harbig |  GER | Jul 15, 1939 | Milan, Italy | +5.69s | 16y 1mo | -3.10s |
1:49.7 | Glenn Cunningham | USA | Aug 20, 1936 | Stockholm, Sweden | +8.79s | 2y 11mo | -0.10s |
1:49.8 | Tommy Hampson | GBR | Aug 2, 1932 | Los Angeles, United States | +8.89s | 4y | -0.80s |
1:50.6 | Scott Martin | USA | Jul 14, 1928 | Paris, France | +9.69s | 4y 1mo | - |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Who holds the 800 m Men world record?
David Rudisha (Kenya) holds the 800 m Men world record with 1:40.91, set on August 9, 2012 in London, United Kingdom.
Who held the 800 m Men world record before David Rudisha?
Wilson Kipketer (Denmark) held it with 1:41.11, from August 24, 1997 until August 22, 2010 (12 years).
How many times has the 800 m Men world record been improved?
Elite Trackr's progression lists 17 improvements since 1928, when Scott Martin set 1:50.6.