THE EIGHT MINUTE TWO-MILE!!
Daniel Komen
July 19, 1997
7:58.61
On July 19, 1997 in Hechtel, Belgium Kenyan runner Daniel Komen became
the first human to run two miles in under 8 minutes!
During this incredible display of speed and endurance Komen's average
pace for
two miles exceeded the 1954 mile pace of four-minute-mile pioneer Roger Bannister!
Komen ran the first mile in 3:59.2 and the second mile in 3:59.4!
This is surely one of the greatest athletic performances in history!
Komen ran very even pace. Here are his 400 meter (lap) splits throughout the race:
| Lap Number | Distance (meters) | Split Time | Lap Time |
| 1 | 400 | 58.6 | 58.6 |
2 |
800 |
2:00.4 |
61.8 |
3 |
1200 |
2:58.9 |
58.5 |
4 |
1600 |
3:58.4 |
59.5 |
5 |
2000 |
4:58.2 |
59.8 |
6 |
2400 |
5:56.7 |
58.5 |
7 |
2800 |
6:57.5 |
60.8 |
The 8 minute two-mile was no fluke! On February 28, 1998 in Sydney, Australia, Komen ran two miles in 7:58.91, just missing his previous record.
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