Track And Field World Records

What are some of the most memorable track and field world records? Who are the biggest names in both women's and men's track and field? Find out who has set the bar and who has kept it. Get ready to be inspired and a little humbled with this list of amazing world records in track and field.

1. 100 and 200 meters. Who is the fastest man in the world? Usain St. Leo Bolt of Jamaica has shown the world what lightening speed really means. Bolt not only holds the track and field world record for the 100 and 200 meter races, which he set in Berlin in 2009, but he was also part of the Jamaican Olympic relay team that conquered the previous 4 x 100 meter race. Look for Bolt at the 2012 Olympics in London and see if he manages to beat his current records of 9.58 and 19.19 seconds.
2. Women's 100 and 200 meters. Florence Griffith-Joyner set these world records back in 1988, and is to this day considered to be the world's fastest woman as no one has come close to her speed. She ran the 100 meters in 10.49 seconds in Indiana and the 200 meters in 21.34 seconds in Seoul. An American legend, Griffith-Joyner died in 1998.
3. Men's 400 meters. American Michael Johnson has held this track and field world record for over ten years. Johnson set the record in Sevilla in 1999 with a time of 43.18 seconds. This endurance sprinter record holder also won two gold medals at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996.
4. King of the Mile. Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco still holds three track and field world records. His is most well-known for conquering the mile in 1999 in Berlin with a time of 3 minutes and 43.13 seconds. He also is the holder of the record for 1500 meters and 2000 meters.
5. Men's marathon. Haile Gebreselassie is one of the most remarkable long distance runners the world has ever seen. The Ethiopian legend started his training at a young age unintentionally, running ten kilometers a day to get to school. He holds the track and field world record for the marathon, run in 2 hours, three minutes, and 59 seconds in 2008 in Berlin. He is also the 30 kilometer world record holder.
6. Women's heptathlon. Another long-standing track and field record was made by Jackie Joyner-Kersee in Seoul in 1988. For her accomplishments, records, and Olympic medals won over the years she is considered to be one of the greatest all-around athletes ever.