To celebrate the 400th episode of Better Known, previous guest Richard Elwes discusses with Ivan Wise six aspects of the Better Known podcast which Ivan thinks should be better known.
Many thanks to Caroline Crampton and Laurence Bergreen for adding their choices of things which should be better known.
Middle-distance is one of the most exciting forms of running
To mark the 400th episode, listener Peter Cannon chose one thing which he thinks should be better known.
Most people are familiar with opposite ends of the race-distance spectrum: the very short distances of the sprints and the 26.2 miles of the marathon. The sprints will determine who is the fastest on a pure time-trial basis with each runner in his or her own lane. But it’s over in mere seconds. The marathon does not have lanes, obviously, but we’re talking over two hours from start to finish. That is a very long span of time to be engaged in a race that, more often than not, is not close when it really matters. Sometimes sprinters and marathoners come from behind to win. That’s really exciting. And maybe that’s what draws fans to the sport.
There are other race distances between these two extremes. But unless you happen upon one while watching the Olympics, you will be unlikely to encounter it otherwise. It’s middle-distance track. It is simply one of the most exciting forms of racing. And it is here where you will find, almost without fail, what people really enjoy about sports: drama and thrilling finishes.
Middle distance is generally defined to include 800 metres, 1500 metres/1 mile, 3000 metres, and the 3000 metre steeplechase. Although athletics federations classify it as long distance, I view the 5000 metre race as middle distance because it has much more in common with the 1500 than the truly long-distance races.
Unlike all of the sprints (100, 200, 400 metres), there are no lanes separating the middle-distance runners. When the gun goes off, runners all share space on the track. There is physicality – some moderate bumping and shoving – all to obtain and maintain the best position possible. Ideally, it’s near the front of the pack on the inside of lane 1 – so that you run as little extra distance as possible – and always a keen awareness of the runners around you. Some races get strung out while others are relatively slow, which sometimes keeps all of the runners in the race until the very end. The fastest on paper does not always win. Tactics, as much as speed, are key to victory. And there is peril aplenty: get boxed in (meaning surrounded on the inside lane) and you are trapped; you can’t push your way out or you’ll be disqualified. Try to avoid getting boxed in by running in an outer lane and you are already at a disadvantage because you are running extra distance. Responding to moves – one runner surges ahead. Do you go with them or maintain your pace and think they’ll soon run out of fuel? When do you make your move? When do you go? It can’t be too early or too late. Timing is critical.
Some races favour the kickers. These are the runners who can change gears and finish with a relative sprint compared to the other runners. Two very memorable examples of this occurred at this year’s World Championships held in Tokyo. America’s Cole Hocker won gold in the 5000 and New Zealand’s Geordie Beamish won gold in the steeplechase. Both were far from the lead runners and looked to be out of medal contention at the bell (the beginning of the final lap). Yet both unleashed incredible kicks and ran down everyone to win. If you are the fastest on paper this also highlights your dilemma. You have to make sure the pace isn’t too slow, allowing slower runners to remain in the race. You could try to hammer it from the beginning, but very, very few can front run to victory. Even if you are that good, it takes incredible precision. You have to be 100% “on” during that particular race with no margin for error. What is more likely to happen is that you create a slipstream for the other runners to draft in behind you and pass you in the final 100 metres.
What I also think people would enjoy are the compelling stories in this very individualistic sport. These aren’t faceless, nameless people running. We are watching generational talents right now in athletes like Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon. There are stories of redemption, too. America’s Shelby Houlihan returned from a four-year doping ban to earn silver in the 3000 at this year’s World Indoor Championship. She then went on to place fourth in the 5000 at the 2025 World Championship, which is the highest an American woman has ever placed in that event in a global final.
And in any given meet, there will be several of these races at different distances with different runners. Plenty of variety to go around. All of this action unfurls over a very short but meaningful period of time and makes for spectacular entertainment. So that is why I think middle-distance track should be better known.
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