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.

Record progression

Mark over the years. The higher the curve, the better the record.

1:401:451:50195020001:52.8 · Sheppard1:40.91 · Rudisha

Record History

2012David RudishaCurrentKEN—Aug 9, 2012London, United KingdomOngoing1:40.91-0.10s
2010David RudishaKEN—Aug 29, 2010Rieti, Italy23 months1:41.01-0.08s
2010David RudishaKEN—Aug 22, 2010Berlin, Germany7 d1:41.09-0.02s
1997Wilson KipketerDEN—Aug 24, 1997Cologne, Germany13 years1:41.11-0.13s
1997Wilson KipketerDEN—Aug 13, 1997Zürich, Switzerland11 d1:41.24-0.49s
1997Wilson KipketerDEN—Jul 7, 1997Stockholm, Sweden37 d1:41.73—
1981Sebastian CoeGBR—Jun 10, 1981Florence, Italy16.1 years1:41.73-0.67s
1979Sebastian CoeGBR—Jul 5, 1979Oslo, Norway23 months1:42.4-1.00s
1977Alberto JuantorenaCUB—Aug 21, 1977Sofia, Bulgaria22 months1:43.4-0.10s
1976Alberto JuantorenaCUB—Jul 25, 1976Montreal, Canada13 months1:43.5-0.20s
1973Marcello FiasconaroITA—Jun 27, 1973Milan, Italy3.1 years1:43.7-0.60s
1972David WottleUSA—Jul 1, 1972Eugene, United States12 months1:44.3—
1968Ralph DoubellAUS—Oct 15, 1968Mexico City, Mexico3.7 years1:44.3-1.40s
1955Roger MoensBEL—Aug 3, 1955Oslo, Norway13.2 years1:45.7-0.90s
1939Rudolf HarbigGER—Jul 15, 1939Milan, Italy16.1 years1:46.6-3.10s
1936Glenn CunninghamUSA—Aug 20, 1936Stockholm, Sweden2.9 years1:49.7-0.10s
1932Tommy HampsonGBR—Aug 2, 1932Los Angeles, United States4 years1:49.8-0.80s
1928Séra MartinFRA—Jul 14, 1928Paris, France4.1 years1:50.6-2.20s
1908Melvin SheppardUSA—Jul 21, 1908London20 years1:52.8—
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

David Rudisha (Kenya) holds the 800 m Men world record with 1:40.91, set on August 9, 2012 in London, United Kingdom.

Wilson Kipketer (Denmark) held it with 1:41.11, from August 24, 1997 until August 22, 2010 (12 years).

Elite Trackr's progression lists 18 improvements since 1908, when Melvin Sheppard set 1:52.8.