Long-distance track running event
| Field | Value |
|---|
| event | 3000 metres |
| image | Ejigu, Dibaba Birmingham meeting 2010.jpg |
| image_upright | 1.15 |
| caption | A women's indoor 3000 m race in Birmingham featuring Sentayehu Ejigu and Tirunesh Dibaba. |
| WRmen | Jakob Ingebrigtsen 7:17.55 (2024) |
| WRwomen | Wang Junxia 8:06.11 (1993) |
| ShWRmen | Grant Fisher 7:22.91 (2025) | ShWRwomen=Genzebe Dibaba 8:16.60 (2014) | WU20Rmen=Yomif Kejelcha 7:28.19 (2016) | WU20Rwomen=Zola Budd 8:28.83 (1985) |
The 3000 metres or 3000-metre run is a track running event, also commonly known as the "3K" or "3K run", where 7.5 laps are run around an outdoor 400 m track, or 15 laps around a 200 m indoor track.
It is debated whether the 3000 m should be classified as a middle-distance or long-distance event. In elite-level competition, 3000 m pace is more comparable to the pace found in the longer 5000 metres event, rather than mile pace. The men's world record performance for 3000 m equates to a pace of 58.34 seconds per 400 m, which is closer to the 60.43 seconds for 5000 m than the 55.46 seconds for the mile. However, the 3000 m does require some anaerobic conditioning, and an elite athlete needs to develop a high tolerance to lactic acid, as does the mile runner. Thus, the 3000 m demands a balance of aerobic endurance needed for the 5000 m and lactic acid tolerance needed for the mile.
In men's athletics, 3000 metres has been an Olympic discipline only as a team race at the 1912, 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics. It has not been contested at any of the IAAF outdoor championships, but it is occasionally hosted at annual elite track and field meetings. It is often featured in indoor track and field programmes and is the longest-distance event present at the IAAF World Indoor Championships.
In women's athletics, 3000 metres was a standard event in the Olympic Games (1984 to 1992) and World Championships (1980 to 1993). The event was discontinued at World Championship and Olympic level after the 1993 World Championships in Athletics, with Qu Yunxia being the final gold medal winner at the event. Starting with the 1995 World Championships in Athletics and the 1996 Olympic Games, it was replaced by 5000 metres, with other IAAF-organized championships following suit.
Skilled runners in this event reach speeds near vVO2max, for which the oxygen requirements of the body cannot continuously be satisfied, requiring some anaerobic effort.
Records
World records
- Updated 25 August 2024. Source: World Athletics
| Division | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
|---|
| Men | 7:17.55 | Jakob Ingebrigtsen | | 25 August 2024 | Chorzów |
| Women | 8:06.11 | Wang Junxia | China | 13 September 1993 | Beijing |
Short track world records
- Updated 8 February 2025. Source: World Athletics
| Division | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
|---|
| Men | 7:22.91 | Grant Fisher | | 8 February 2025 | New York City |
| Women | 8:16.60 | Genzene Dibaba | | 6 February 2014 | Stockholm |
Continental records
- Updated 25 May 2025. Source: World Athletics
- Sh = Short Track
| Area | Men | Women | Time | Athlete | Nationality | Time | Athlete | Nationality |
|---|
| African | 7:20.67 | Daniel Komen | Kenya | 8:11.56 | Beatrice Chebet | Kenya | | |
| Asian | 7:30.76 | Jamal Bilal Salem | Qatar | 8:06.11 **WR** | Wang Junxia | China | | |
| European | 7:17.55 **WR** | Jakob Ingebrigtsen | | 8:18.49 | Sifan Hassan | Netherlands | | |
| North, Central American and Caribbean | 7:22.91 | Grant Fisher | United States | 8:20.87 | Elle St. Pierre | United States | | |
| Oceanian | 7:28.02 | Stewart McSweyn | Australia | 8:24.20 | Georgia Griffith | Australia | | |
| South American | 7:37.15 | Santiago Catrofe | Uruguay | 8:43.26 | Joselyn Daniely Brea | Venezuela | | |
All-time top 25
Main article: 3000 metres world record progression
| *- denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 **athletes** who fall outside the top 25 3000m times* |
|---|
Outdoor men
- Correct as of August 2024.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 7:17.55 | Jakob Ingebrigtsen | | 25 August 2024 | Chorzów |
| 2 | 2 | 7:20.67 | Daniel Komen | | 1 September 1996 | Rieti |
| 3 | 3 | 7:21.28 | Berihu Aregawi | | 25 August 2024 | Chorzów |
| 4 | 4 | 7:23.09 | Hicham El Guerrouj | | 3 September 1999 | Brussels |
| 5 | 7:23.63 | *Ingebrigtsen #2* | | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| 5 | 6 | 7:23.64 | Yomif Kejelcha | | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| 7 | 7:24.00 | *Ingebrigtsen #3* | | 9 June 2023 | Paris |
| 6 | 8 | 7:25.02 | Ali Saïdi-Sief | | 18 August 2000 | Monaco |
| 7 | 9 | 7:25.09 | Haile Gebrselassie | | 28 August 1998 | Brussels |
| 8 | 10 | 7:25.11 | Noureddine Morceli | | 2 August 1994 | Monaco |
| 11 | 7:25.16 | *Komen #2* | | 10 August 1996 | Monaco |
| 9 | 12 | 7:25.47 | Grant Fisher | | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| 10 | 13 | 7:25.48 | Telahun Haile Bekele | | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| 14 | 7:25.54 | *Gebrselassie #2* | | 8 August 1998 | Monaco |
| 11 | 15 | 7:25.79 | Kenenisa Bekele | | 7 August 2007 | Stockholm |
| 16 | 7:25.87 | *Komen #3* | | 23 August 1996 | Brussels |
| 12 | 17 | 7:25.93 | Thierry Ndikumwenayo | | 10 August 2022 | Monaco |
| 18 | 7:26.02 | *Gebrselassie #3* | | 22 August 1997 | Brussels |
| 19 | 7:26.03 | *Gebrselassie #4* | 10 June 1999 | Helsinki | | |
| 13 | 20 | 7:26.18 | Lamecha Girma | | 5 May 2023 | Doha |
| 21 | 7:26.25 | *Kejelcha #2* | | 1 July 2021 | Oslo |
| 14 | 22 | 7:26.28 | Selemon Barega | | 17 September 2023 | Eugene |
| 15 | 23 | 7:26.62 | Mohammed Mourhit | | 18 August 2000 | Monaco |
| 16 | 24 | 7:26.64 | Jacob Kiplimo | | 17 September 2020 | Rome |
| 25 | 7:26.69 | *Bekele #2* | | 15 July 2007 | Sheffield |
| 17 | | 7:27.18 | Moses Kiptanui | | 25 July 1995 | Monaco |
| 18 | 7:27.26 | Yenew Alamirew | | 6 May 2011 | Doha | |
| 19 | 7:27.55 | Edwin Soi | | 6 May 2011 | Doha | |
| 20 | 7:27.59 | Luke Kipkosgei | | 8 August 1998 | Monaco | |
| 21 | 7:27.64 | Mohamed Katir | | 13 July 2021 | London | |
| 22 | 7:27.66 | Eliud Kipchoge | | 6 May 2011 | Doha | |
| 23 | 7:27.68 | Dominic Lokinyomo Lobalu | | 20 July 2024 | London | |
| 24 | 7:27.75 | Tom Nyariki | | 10 August 1996 | Monaco | |
| 25 | 7:28.02 | Stewart McSweyn | | 17 September 2020 | Rome | |
Notes
Outdoor women
- Correct as of August 2025.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 8:06.11 | Wang Junxia | | 13 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 2 | 2 | 8:07.04 | Faith Kipyegon | | 16 August 2025 | Chorzów |
| 3 | 3 | 8:11.56 | Beatrice Chebet | | 25 May 2025 | Rabat |
| 4 | 4 | 8:12.18 | Qu Yunxia | | 13 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 5 | 8:12.19 | *Wang #2* | | 12 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 6 | 8:12.27 | *Qu #2* | 12 September 1993 | Beijing | | |
| 5 | 7 | 8:16.50 | Zhang Linli | | 13 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 6 | 8 | 8:18.49 | Sifan Hassan | | 30 June 2019 | Stanford |
| 7 | 9 | 8:19.08 | Francine Niyonsaba | | 28 August 2021 | Paris |
| 8 | 10 | 8:19.52 | Ejgayehu Taye | | 28 August 2021 | Paris |
| 9 | 11 | 8:19.78 | Ma Liyan | | 12 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 10 | 12 | 8:20.07 | Konstanze Klosterhalfen | | 30 June 2019 | Stanford |
| 11 | 13 | 8:20.27 | Letesenbet Gidey | | 30 June 2019 | Stanford |
| 12 | 14 | 8:20.68 | Hellen Obiri | | 9 May 2014 | Doha |
| 13 | 15 | 8:21.14 | Mercy Cherono | | 9 May 2014 | Doha |
| 16 | 8:21.26 | *Ma #2* | | 13 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 14 | 17 | 8:21.29 | Genzebe Dibaba | | 30 June 2019 | Stanford |
| 15 | 18 | 8:21.42 | Gabriela Szabo | | 19 July 2002 | Monaco |
| 16 | 19 | 8:21.50 | Diribe Welteji | | 22 August 2024 | Lausanne |
| 17 | 20 | 8:21.53 | Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi | | 28 August 2021 | Paris |
| 18 | 21 | 8:21.64 | Sonia O'Sullivan | | 15 July 1994 | London |
| 19 | 22 | 8:21.84 | Zhang Lirong | | 13 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 23 | 8:22.06 | *Zhang Linli #2* | | 12 September 1993 | Beijing |
| 20 | 24 | 8:22.20 | Paula Radcliffe | | 19 July 2002 | Monaco |
| 21 | 25 | 8:22.22 | Almaz Ayana | | 14 June 2015 | Rabat |
| 22 | | 8:22.62 | Tatyana Kazankina | | 26 August 1984 | Leningrad |
| 23 | 8:22.92 | Agnes Tirop | | 25 September 2020 | Doha | author=Jon Mulkeen | date=25 September 2020 | title=Obiri and McSweyn victorious in Doha as Wanda Diamond League draws to a close | publisher=World Athletics | url=https://www.worldathletics.org/news/report/doha-diamond-league-obiri-mcsweyn-kipyegon | access-date=1 October 2020}} |
| 8:22.92 | Beatrice Chepkoech | | 25 September 2020 | Doha | | |
| 25 | 8:23.23 | Edith Masai | | 19 July 2002 | Monaco | |
Indoor men
- Correct as of January 2026.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 7:22.91 | Grant Fisher | | 8 February 2025 | New York City |
| 2 | 2 | 7:23.14 | Cole Hocker | | 8 February 2025 | New York City |
| 3 | 3 | 7:23.81 | Lamecha Girma | | 15 February 2023 | Liévin |
| 4 | 4 | 7:24.68 | Mohamed Katir | | 15 February 2023 | Liévin |
| 5 | 5 | 7:24.90 | Daniel Komen | | 6 February 1998 | Budapest |
| 6 | 6 | 7:24.98 | Getnet Wale | | 9 February 2021 | Liévin |
| 7 | 7 | 7:25.82 | Salemon Barega | | 6 February 2024 | Toruń |
| 8 | 7:26.10 | *Barega #2* | | 9 February 2021 | Liévin |
| 8 | 9 | 7:26.15 | Haile Gebrselassie | | 25 January 1998 | Karlsruhe |
| 9 | 10 | 7:26.20 | Berihu Aregawi | | 28 January 2022 | Karlsruhe |
| 11 | 7:26.73 | *Wale #2* | | 6 February 2024 | Toruń |
| 12 | 7:26.80 | *Gebrselassie #2* | 24 January 1999 | Karlsruhe | | |
| 10 | 13 | 7:27.57 | Cameron Myers | | 24 January 2026 | Boston |
| 11 | 14 | 7:27.80 | Yenew Alamirew | | 5 February 2011 | Stuttgart |
| 12 | 15 | 7:27.92 | George Mills | | 2 February 2025 | Val-de-Reuil |
| 16 | 7:27.93 | *Komen #2* | | 1 February 1998 | Stuttgart |
| 17 | 7:27.98 | *Girma #2* | 9 February 2021 | Liévin | | |
| 13 | 18 | 7:28.00 | Augustine Kiprono Choge | | 5 February 2011 | Stuttgart |
| 14 | 19 | 7:28.23 | Yared Nuguse | | 27 January 2023 | Boston |
| 20 | 7:28.29 | *Gebrselassie #3* | | 28 February 2003 | Karlsruhe |
| 21 | 7:29.09 | *Girma #3* | 4 February 2024 | Boston | | |
| 22 | 7:29.24 | *Aregawi #2* | 9 February 2021 | Liévin | | |
| 23 | 7:29.34 | *Gebrselassie #4* | 15 February 2004 | Karlsruhe | | |
| 15 | 24 | 7:29.37 | Eliud Kipchoge | | 5 February 2011 | Stuttgart |
| 16 | 25 | 7:29.49 | Niels Laros | | 13 February 2025 | Liévin |
| 17 | | 7:29.72 | Graham Blanks | | 2 March 2025 | Boston |
| 18 | 7:29.94 | Edwin Cheruiyot Soi | | 12 February 2012 | Karlsruhe | |
| 19 | 7:29.99 | Biniam Mehary | | 13 February 2025 | Liévin | |
| 20 | 7:30.14 | Josh Kerr | | 11 February 2024 | New York City | |
| 21 | 7:30.15 | Ethan Strand | | 7 December 2024 | Boston | |
| 22 | 7:30.16 | Galen Rupp | | 21 February 2013 | Stockholm | |
| 23 | 7:30.18 | Jimmy Gressier | | 8 February 2025 | New York City | |
| 24 | 7:30.23 | Parker Wolfe | | 7 December 2024 | Boston | |
| 25 | 7:30.38 | Ky Robinson | | 8 February 2025 | New York City | |
Indoor women
- Correct as of February 2025.
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place |
|---|
| 1 | 1 | 8:16.60 | Genzebe Dibaba | | 6 February 2014 | Stockholm |
| 2 | 2 | 8:16.69 | Gudaf Tsegay | | 25 February 2023 | Birmingham |
| 3 | 8:17.11 | *Tsegay #2* | | 10 February 2024 | Liévin |
| 3 | 4 | 8:19.98 | Freweyni Hailu | | 13 February 2025 | Liévin |
| 4 | 5 | 8:20.87 | Elle St. Pierre | | 2 March 2024 | Glasgow |
| 6 | 8:21.23 | *Tsegay #3* | | 2 March 2024 | Glasgow |
| 7 | 8:22.50 | *Dibaba #2* | 19 February 2016 | Sabadell | | |
| 8 | 8:22.65 | *Tsegay #4* | 24 February 2021 | Madrid | | |
| 5 | 9 | 8:22.68 | Beatrice Chepkoech | | 2 March 2024 | Glasgow |
| 6 | 10 | 8:23.24 | Dawit Seyaum | | 17 February 2022 | Liévin |
| 7 | 11 | 8:23.72 | Meseret Defar | | 3 February 2007 | Stuttgart |
| 8 | 12 | 8:23.74 | Meselech Melkamu | | 3 February 2007 | Stuttgart |
| 13 | 8:24.17 | *Hailu #2* | | 4 February 2025 | Ostrava |
| 9 | 14 | 8:24.39 | Jessica Hull | | 2 March 2024 | Glasgow |
| 15 | 8:24.46 | *Defar #2* | | 6 February 2010 | Stuttgart |
| 16 | 8:24.85 | *Dibaba #3* | 15 February 2014 | Birmingham | | |
| 17 | 8:24.93 | *Hull #2* | 4 February 2024 | Boston | | |
| 10 | 18 | 8:25.05 | Alicia Monson | | 11 February 2023 | New York City |
| 19 | 8:25.12 | *Tsegay #5* | | 13 February 2025 | Liévin |
| 20 | 8:25.25 | *St. Pierre #2* | 4 February 2024 | Boston | | |
| 11 | 21 | 8:25.27 | Sentayehu Ejigu | | 6 February 2010 | Stuttgart |
| 12 | 22 | 8:25.37 | Birke Haylom | | 13 February 2025 | Liévin |
| 13 | 23 | 8:25.70 | Karissa Schweizer | | 27 February 2020 | Boston |
| 14 | 24 | 8:26.41 | Laura Muir | | 4 February 2017 | Karlsruhe |
| 15 | 25 | 8:26.66 | Shelby Houlihan | | 27 February 2020 | Boston |
| 16 | | 8:26.77 | Ejhayehu Taye | | 17 February 2022 | Liévin |
| 17 | 8:27.86 | Liliya Shobukhova | | 17 February 2006 | Moscow | |
| 18 | 8:28.03 | Whittni Morgan | | 8 February 2025 | New York City | |
| 19 | 8:28.46 | Hirut Meshesha | | 3 February 2024 | Metz | date=4 February 2024 | title=Bol beats 50 seconds for 400m and breaks national 200m record in Metz | url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-indoor-tour/news/femke-bol-metz-400m-200m-2024 | access-date=6 February 2024 | website=World Athletics}} |
| 20 | 8:28.49 | Anna Alminova | | 7 February 2009 | Stuttgart | |
| 21 | 8:28.69 | Melissa Courtney-Bryant | | 2 February 2025 | Boston | date=2 February 2025 | title=Hoey, Courtney-Bryant and Coscoran win distance duels in Boston | url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/indoor-grand-prix-boston-2025-hoey-courtney-bryant-coscoran-alfred-benjamin | access-date=3 February 2025 | website=World Athletics}} |
| 22 | 8:28.71 | Colleen Quigley | | 27 February 2020 | Boston | |
| 23 | 8:29.00 | Olesya Syreva | | 17 February 2006 | Moscow | |
| 24 | 8:29.15 | Berhane Adere | | 3 February 2002 | Stuttgart | |
| 25 | 8:29.28 | Lemlem Hailu | | 24 February 2021 | Madrid | author=Phil Minshull | date=24 February 2021 | title=Holloway enters the record books in Madrid | url=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-indoor-tour/news/indoor-tour-madrid-holloway-world-record | access-date=28 February 2021 | publisher=World Athletics}} |
Medalists
Women's Olympic medalists
Women's World Championships medalists
Men's World Indoor Championships medalists
| [2025 Nanjing](2025-world-athletics-indoor-championships) |
|---|
| Jakob Ingebrigtsen | Berihu Aregawi | Ky Robinson |
Women's World Indoor Championships medalists
| [2025 Nanjing](2025-world-athletics-indoor-championships) |
|---|
| Freweyni Hailu | Shelby Houlihan | Jessica Hull |
- Known as the World Indoor Games
Season's bests
Men (outdoor)
| Year | Time | Athlete | Place |
|---|
| 1970 | 7:49.4 | Bernd Diessner | Potsdam |
| 1971 | 7:39.8 | Emiel Puttemans | Brussels |
| 1972 | 7:37.6 | Emiel Puttemans | Århus |
| 1973 | 7:42.0 | Brendan Foster | London |
| 1974 | 7:35.1 | Brendan Foster | Gateshead |
| 1975 | 7:45.0 | Rod Dixon | Paris |
| 1976 | 7:43.46 | Rod Dixon | Cologne |
| 1977 | 7:41.22 | Karl Fleschen | Cologne |
| 1978 | 7:32.1 | Henry Rono | Oslo |
| [1979](1979-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:37.70 | Rudy Chapa | Eugene |
| [1980](1980-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:37.60 | Eamonn Coghlan | Oslo |
| [1981](1981-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:36.69 | Steve Scott | Ingelheim |
| [1982](1982-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:32.79 | David Moorcroft | London |
| [1983](1983-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:35.84 | Doug Padilla | Oslo |
| [1984](1984-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:33.3 | Saïd Aouita | Brussels |
| [1985](1985-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:32.94 | Saïd Aouita | Brussels |
| [1986](1986-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:32.23 | Saïd Aouita | Cologne |
| [1987](1987-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:40.25 | Dieter Baumann | Berlin |
| [1988](1988-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:38.79 | Sydney Maree | Malmö |
| [1989](1989-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:29.45 | Saïd Aouita | Cologne |
| [1990](1990-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:37.09 | Khalid Skah | Cologne |
| [1991](1991-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:33.91 | Dieter Baumann | Cologne |
| [1992](1992-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.96 | Moses Kiptanui | Cologne |
| [1993](1993-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:29.24 | Noureddine Morceli | Monaco |
| [1994](1994-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:25.11 | Noureddine Morceli | Monaco |
| [1995](1995-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:27.18 | Moses Kiptanui | Monaco |
| [1996](1996-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:20.67 | Daniel Komen | Rieti |
| [1997](1997-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:26.02 | Haile Gebrselassie | Brussels |
| [1998](1998-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:25.09 | Haile Gebrselassie | Brussels |
| [1999](1999-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:23.09 | Hicham El Guerrouj | Brussels |
| [2000](2000-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:25.02 | Ali Saïdi-Sief | Monaco |
| [2001](2001-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:30.53 | Hailu Mekonnen | Brussels |
| [2002](2002-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:34.72 | Benjamin Limo | Monaco |
| [2003](2003-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:30.23 | Hicham El Guerrouj | Turin |
| [2004](2004-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:27.72 | Eliud Kipchoge | Brussels |
| [2005](2005-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.56 | Eliud Kipchoge | Doha |
| [2006](2006-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.72 | Isaac Kiprono Songok | Rieti |
| [2007](2007-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:25.79 | Kenenisa Bekele | Stockholm |
| [2008](2008-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:31.83 | Edwin Cheruiyot Soi | Rieti |
| [2009](2009-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.37 | Eliud Kipchoge | Doha |
| [2010](2010-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.70 | Tariku Bekele | Rieti |
| [2011](2011-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:27.26 | Yenew Alamirew | Doha |
| [2012](2012-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:30.42 | Augustine Choge | Doha |
| [2013](2013-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:30.36 | Hagos Gebrhiwet | Doha |
| [2014](2014-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:31.66 | Caleb Ndiku | Ostrava |
| [2015](2015-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:38.08 | Hagos Gebrhiwet | Doha |
| [2016](2016-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.19 | Yomif Kejelcha | Saint-Denis |
| [2017](2017-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.73 | Ronald Kwemoi | Doha |
| [2018](2018-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.00 | Yomif Kejelcha | Gothenburg |
| [2019](2019-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:32.17 | Selemon Barega | Oslo |
| [2020](2020-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:26.64 | Jacob Kiplimo | Rome |
| [2021](2021-in-sports-athletics) | 7:26.25 | Yomif Kejelcha | Oslo |
| [2022](2022-in-sports-athletics) | 7:25.93 | Thierry Ndikumwenayo | Monaco |
| [2023](2023-in-sports-athletics) | 7:23.63 | Jakob Ingebrigtsen | Eugene |
| [2024](2024-in-sports-athletics) | 7:17.55 | Jakob Ingebrigtsen | Chorzów |
| [2025](2025-in-sports-athletics) | 7:31.42 | Andreas Almgren | Sollentuna |
Men (indoor)
| Year | Time | Athlete | Place |
|---|
| 1970 | 7:46.85 | Richard Wilde | Vienna |
| 1971 | 7:53.6 | Peter Stewart | Sofia |
| 1972 | 7:50.0 | Ian Stewart | Cosford |
| 1973 | 7:44.6 | Emiel Puttemans | Rotterdam |
| 1974 | 7:48.48 | Emiel Puttemans | Gothenburg |
| 1975 | 7:50.2 | Boris Kuznetsov | Sverdlovsk |
| 1976 | 7:50.2 | Emiel Puttemans | Paris |
| 1977 | 7:47.9 | Suleiman Nyambui | Louisville |
| 1978 | 7:48.6 | Nick Rose | Long Beach |
| [1979](1979-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:44.43 | Markus Ryffel | Vienna |
| [1980](1980-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:45.2 | Steve Scott | Long Beach |
| [1981](1981-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:48.8 | Lubomír Tesáček | Prague |
| [1982](1982-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:46.2 | Doug Padilla | Daly City |
| [1983](1983-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:49.1 | Doug Padilla | Daly City |
| [1984](1984-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:46.87 | Doug Padilla | East Rutherford |
| [1985](1985-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:42.97 | Christoph Herle | Dortmund |
| [1986](1986-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:46.46 | Stefano Mei | Budapest |
| [1987](1987-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:47.95 | Paul Donovan | East Rutherford |
| [1988](1988-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:41.57 | Brian Abshire | East Rutherford |
| [1989](1989-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:39.71 | Saïd Aouita | East Rutherford |
| [1990](1990-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:43.69 | Doug Padilla | East Rutherford |
| [1991](1991-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:41.14 | Frank O'Mara | Seville |
| [1992](1992-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:36.66 | Saïd Aouita | Piraeus |
| [1993](1993-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:38.46 | Moses Kiptanui | Stockholm |
| [1994](1994-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:40.94 | Moses Kiptanui | Lievin |
| [1995](1995-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:35.15 | Moses Kiptanui | Ghent |
| [1996](1996-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:30.72 | Haile Gebrselassie | Stuttgart |
| [1997](1997-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:31.27 | Haile Gebrselassie | Karlsruhe |
| [1998](1998-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:24.90 | Daniel Komen | Budapest |
| [1999](1999-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:26.80 | Haile Gebrselassie | Karlsruhe |
| [2000](2000-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:35.84 | Million Wolde | Stuttgart |
| [2001](2001-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:37.74 | Hicham El Guerrouj | Lisbon |
| [2002](2002-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:37.13 | Alberto García | Seville |
| [2003](2003-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:28.29 | Haile Gebrselassie | Karlsruhe |
| [2004](2004-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:29.34 | Haile Gebrselassie | Karlsruhe |
| [2005](2005-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:39.89 | Alistair Cragg | Roxbury |
| [2006](2006-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:33.07 | Eliud Kipchoge | Karlsruhe |
| [2007](2007-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:30.51 | Kenenisa Bekele | Karlsruhe |
| [2008](2008-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:31.09 | Tariku Bekele | Stuttgart |
| [2009](2009-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:32.80 | Paul Kipsiele Koech | Stockholm |
| [2010](2010-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:31.75 | Augustine Kiprono Choge | Stockholm |
| [2010](2011-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:27.80 | Yenew Alamirew | Stuttgart |
| [2012](2012-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:29.94 | Augustine Choge | Karlsruhe |
| [2013](2013-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:30.16 | Galen Rupp | Stockholm |
| [2014](2014-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:34.13 | Hagos Gebrhiwet | Boston |
| [2015](2015-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:33.1 | Mo Farah | Birmingham |
| [2016](2016-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:38.03 | Dejen Gebremeskel | Boston |
| [2017](2017-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:40.80 | Ryan Hill | New York City |
| [2018](2018-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:36.64 | Selemon Barega | Liévin |
| [2019](2019-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:37.41 | Hagos Gebrhiwet | Boston |
| [2020](2020-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:32.80 | Getnet Wale | Liévin |
| [2021](2021-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:24.98 | Getnet Wale | Liévin |
| [2022](2022-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:26.20 | Berihu Aregawi | Karlsruhe |
| [2023](2023-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:23.81 | Lamecha Girma | Liévin |
| [2024](2024-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 7:25.82 | Selemon Barega | Toruń |
| [2025](2025-in-the-sport-of-athletics) | 7:22.91 | Grant Fisher | New York City |
Women (outdoor)
| Year | Time | Athlete | Place |
|---|
| 1971 | 9:23.4 | Joyce Smith | London |
| 1972 | 8:53.0 | Lyudmila Bragina | Moscow |
| 1973 | 8:56.6 | Paola Pigni | Formia |
| 1974 | 8:52.74 | Lyudmila Bragina | Durham |
| 1975 | 8:46.6 | Grete Waitz | Oslo |
| 1976 | 8:27.12 | Lyudmila Bragina | College Park |
| 1977 | 8:36.8 | Grete Waitz | Oslo |
| 1978 | 8:32.1 | Grete Waitz | Oslo |
| [1979](1979-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:31.75 | Grete Waitz | Oslo |
| [1980](1980-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:33.53 | Yelena Sipatova | Moscow |
| [1981](1981-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:34.30 | Maricica Puică | Bucharest |
| [1982](1982-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:26.78 | Svetlana Ulmasova | Kyiv |
| [1983](1983-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:32.08 | Tatyana Kazankina | Saint Petersburg |
| [1984](1984-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:22.62 | Tatyana Kazankina | Saint Petersburg |
| [1985](1985-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:25.83 | Mary Slaney | Rome |
| [1986](1986-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:33.99 | Olga Bondarenko | Stuttgart |
| [1987](1987-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:38.1 | Ulrike Bruns | Potsdam |
| [1988](1988-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:26.53 | Tatyana Samolenko | Seoul |
| [1989](1989-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:38.48 | Paula Ivan | Gateshead |
| [1990](1990-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:38.38 | Angela Chalmers | Auckland |
| [1991](1991-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:32.00 | Elana Meyer | Durban |
| [1992](1992-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:33.72 | Yelena Romanova | Cologne |
| [1993](1993-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:06.11 | Wang Junxia | Beijing |
| [1994](1994-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:21.64 | Sonia O'Sullivan | London |
| [1995](1995-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:27.57 | Sonia O'Sullivan | Zurich |
| [1996](1996-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:35.42 | Sonia O'Sullivan | Nice |
| [1997](1997-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:27.78 | Gabriela Szabo | Zurich |
| [1998](1998-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:24.31 | Gabriela Szabo | Paris |
| [1999](1999-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:25.03 | Gabriela Szabo | Zurich |
| [2000](2000-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:26.35 | Gabriela Szabo | Zurich |
| [2001](2001-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:23.26 | Olga Yegorova | Zurich |
| [2002](2002-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:21.42 | Gabriela Szabo | Monte Carlo |
| [2003](2003-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:33.95 | Gabriela Szabo | Zurich |
| [2004](2004-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:31.32 | Isabella Ochichi | Paris |
| [2005](2005-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:28.87 | Maryam Yusuf Jamal | Oslo |
| [2006](2006-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:24.66 | Meseret Defar | Stockholm |
| [2007](2007-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:24.81 | Meseret Defar | Brussels |
| [2008](2008-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:33.66 | Vivian Cheruiyot | Gateshead |
| [2009](2009-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:30.15 | Meseret Defar | Thessaloniki |
| [2010](2010-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:28.41 | Sentayehu Ejigu | Monaco |
| [2011](2011-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:46.84 | Viola Jelagat Kibiwot | Rabat |
| [2012](2012-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:34.47 | Mariem Alaoui Selsouli | Eugene |
| [2013](2013-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:30.29 | Meseret Defar | Stockholm |
| [2014](2014-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:20.68 | Hellen Onsando Obiri | Doha |
| [2015](2015-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:22.22 | Almaz Ayana | Rabat |
| [2016](2016-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:23.11 | Almaz Ayana | Doha |
| [2017](2017-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:23.14 | Hellen Obiri | Monaco |
| [2018](2018-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:27.50 | Sifan Hassan | Ostrava |
| [2019](2019-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:18.49 | Sifan Hassan | Palo Alto |
| [2020](2020-in-athletics-track-and-field) | 8:22.54 | Hellen Obiri | Doha |
| [2021](2021-in-sports-athletics) | 8:19.08 | Francine Niyonsaba | Paris |
| [2022](2022-in-sports-athletics) | 8:24.27+ | Francine Niyonsaba | Eugene |
| [2023](2023-in-sports-athletics) | 8:24.05 | Beatrice Chebet | Xiamen |
| [2024](2024-in-sports-athletics) | 8:21.50 | Diribe Welteji | Lausanne |
| [2025](2025-in-sports-athletics) | 8:07.04 | Faith Kipyegon | Chorzów |
Women (indoor)
| Year | Time | Athlete | Place |
|---|
| 1971 | | | |
| 1972 | | | |
| 1973 | | | |
| 1974 | | | |
| 1975 | | | |
| 1976 | 9:05.0 | Irina Bondarchuk | Leningrad |
| 1977 | 9:03.6 | Giana Romanova | Minsk |
| 1978 | 8:57.6 | Janice Merrill | Montréal |
| 1979 | | | |
| 1980 | 8:50.8 | Grete Waitz | Daly City |
| 1981 | 8:56.4 | Paula Fudge | Cosford |
| 1982 | 8:47.3 | Mary Tabb | Inglewood |
| 1983 | 8:52.84 | Gabriele Martins | Budapest |
| 1984 | 8:48.1 | Galina Zakharova | Boston |
| 1985 | 8:49.93 | Ruth Wysocki | East Rutherford |
| 1986 | 8:39.79 | Zola Budd | Cosford |
| 1987 | 8:43.49 | Maricica Puică | New York City |
| 1988 | 8:41.79 | Kathrin Wessel | Vienna |
| 1989 | 8:33.82 | Elly van Hulst | Budapest |
| 1990 | 8:40.45 | Lynn Jennings | New York City |
| 1991 | 8:49.61 | Margareta Keszeg | New York City |
| 1992 | 8:43.34 | Liz McColgan | Birmingham |
| 1993 | 8:50.55 | Yvonne Murray | Toronto |
| 1994 | 8:55.58 | Yelena Samoshchenkova | St. Petersburg |
| 1995 | 8:52.49 | Lynn Jennings | Boston |
| 1996 | 8:39.49 | Fernanda Ribeiro | Stockholm |
| 1997 | 8:45.75 | Gabriela Szabo | Paris |
| 1998 | 8:43.99 | Fernanda Ribeiro | Genoa |
| 1999 | 8:34.09 | Gabriela Szabo | Liévin |
| 2000 | 8:35.42 | Gabriela Szabo | Birmingham |
| 2001 | 8:32.88 | Gabriela Szabo | Birmingham |
| 2002 | 8:29.15 | Berhane Adere | Stuttgart |
| 2003 | 8:31.73 | Berhane Adere | Stuttgart |
| 2004 | 8:33.05 | Berhane Adere | Dortmund |
| 2005 | 8:30.05 | Meseret Defar | Boston |
| 2006 | 8:27.86 | Liliya Shobukhova | Moscow |
| 2007 | 8:23.72 | Meseret Defar | Stuttgart |
| 2008 | 8:27.93 | Meseret Defar | Stuttgart |
| 2009 | 8:26.99 | Meseret Defar | Stuttgart |
| 2010 | 8:24.46 | Meseret Defar | Stuttgart |
| 2011 | 8:30.26 | Sentayehu Ejigu | Birmingham |
| 2012 | 8:31.56 | Meseret Defar | Birmingham |
| 2013 | 8:26.95 | Genzebe Dibaba | Stockholm |
| 2014 | 8:16.60 | Genzebe Dibaba | Stockholm |
| 2015 | 8:37.22 | Genzebe Dibaba | Stockholm |
| 2016 | 8:22.50 | Genzebe Dibaba | Sabadell |
| 2017 | 8:26.41 | Laura Muir | Karlsruhe |
| 2018 | 8:31.23 | Genzebe Dibaba | Sabadell |
| 2019 | 8:30.61 | Laura Muir | Glasgow |
| 2020 | 8:25.70 | Karissa Schweizer | Boston |
| 2021 | 8:32.55 | Lemlem Hailu | Liévin |
| 2022 | 8:23.24 | Dawit Seyaum | Liévin |
| 2023 | 8:16.69 | Gudaf Tsegay | Birmingham |
| 2024 | 8:17.11 | Gudaf Tsegay | Liévin |
| 2025 | 8:19.98 | Freweyni Hailu | Liévin |