800 metres 800 metres The 800 metres, or 800 meters (US spelling), is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle-distance running event. The 800 metres is run over two laps of the track (400 metre track) and has been an Olympic event since the first games in 1896. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200-metre track, therefore requiring four laps. The event was derived from the imperial measurement of a half a mile (880 yards), a traditional English racing distance. Imperial racing distances were common in the United States. American high schools (in
Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 10,000 metres Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's 10,000 metres The Men's 10,000 metres at the 2008 Summer Olympics took place on August 17 at the Beijing National Stadium. The race was dominated by the Ethiopian and Kenyan teams along with Tadese of Eritrea. With 200m remaining, Bekele pulled away from the rest of the field with a final lap of 53.42 seconds, winning his second 10,000m Olympic gold medal. The qualifying standards for the 2008 event were 27:50.00 (A standard) and 28:10.00 (B standard). The Men's 10,000m competition consisted of only one race the Final. Prior to this competition,