“Racing is life, everything before or after is just waiting.” This is one of my favourite quotes and while my teammate Paul Navesey and I were “waiting” recently, we had a good debate about what was the greatest running race of all time. Which one would we go back to watch if we actually had a time machine? Because obviously, that’s what we’d do if we could move across time and space, go watch some running…
Does a race need competition? Watching it live, you would say yes, but the list below we’ve come up with is almost entirely about time, not battles. Leaders far ahead, and pushing beyond impossible, their competitors only allowed to fight for second place. So without further ado, and in no particular order, here are 10 races that we’d go back to see. Who would come with us? Or would you rather set the time machine for a different time and place?
Our top five
1936 Berlin Olympics 100m Finals
https://youtube.com/watch?v=PRkeahelZHM%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed
Mainly because you would, obviously, sit next to Adolf Hitler and cheer like crazy when Jesse Owens smashes the field to win his third gold of the games.
Adelaide 24 hour race, 1997
https://youtube.com/watch?v=l7UzmKxe3Xk%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed
In 1997, Yiannis Kouros ran one of the most formidable world records on the track – one that he insists “will last for centuries”. Having run a few 24 hour races myself only proves to me just how strong this is – no one has even got near. With an average speed of over 12.5km/h (that’s a pace of 7’39 minutes per mile) to reach 303km in 24hrs, Kouros’s comment may well hold true.
1954 Mile race, Iffley Road, Oxford
https://youtube.com/watch?v=wTXoTnp_5sI%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed
Doctors said it was physically impossible, but Sir Roger Bannister didn’t combust along the way; he just set a standard for runners to aim at for years to come. Who knows how quickly he would have run if it wasn’t on a cinder track with leather shoes.
2010 Western States 100 miler
https://youtube.com/watch?v=4a26xp28jm0%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed
Four guys who had never lost over the distance racing one of the greatest 100 mile racers in the world: it was like four unbeaten boxers being thrown into a ring at the same time and the last man standing victorious. The film Unbreakable is nearly as good a time machine.
2003 London Marathon
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DLLSKmpMKe4%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed
The only record that comes close to Kouros’s dominance, Paula Radcliffe set a mark of 2.15.25 at the London marathon that has stood for 11 years – and may still be there for another 10, or at least until Genzebe Dibaba runs a marathon.
Five more to throw into the ring
London 2012, 800m
https://youtube.com/watch?v=KN7WgImgpbM%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed
When run properly, it’s the world’s toughest race. At the London Olympics, David Rudisha smashed the world record in effortless style.
Hardrock 100, US, 2008
https://youtube.com/watch?v=-14gUCSVOSM%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed
Kyle Skaggs runs 100 miles in under 24 hours, then promptly retires to live on a farm.
The Bob Graham Round
OK, so it’s not a race, but Billy Bland’s 13:53 record, for those who know the terrain, is immense. Go to the Lakes and try just one leg, I dare you.
Ironman Hawaii, 1988
https://youtube.com/watch?v=uQ4YSTr1wis%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed
Yes, there was some cycling and swimming first, but it was the run that separated Dave Scott and Mark Allen, head-to-head for most of the way!
Tipton track 100, 1975
Cavin Woodward ran 4:58 to break the 50 Mile World Record, 6:25 for a 100k WR and then hung on for dear life to break the 100 mile record in 11:38. Suicide pacing at its very best.
So what race would you pick as the greatest, which would you go back in time to watch?
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