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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