10000m Long Distance

The 10,000 meter race is the second popular long distance track event, and most competitors of this race have come to seek other pastures among other varieties of long distance running, including marathons and cross-country races. There are other races similar to this, even bearing the same distance; the only difference is, this particular race is run within the 400 meter outside track, while others take the more scenic route off-road.

In the circles of track and field, there is a dividing line between speed and endurance. On the endurance side, there is an event that exists not only to test the stamina of only the most tenacious athlete, but to test the meaning of the word stamina itself. There are those who have come, claiming that they have finished extended distance events - but they have yet to experience the pinnacle of endurance and longevity that is the 10,000 meter run.

Its call is strange, almost masochistic in its draw - but athletes who have beaten all else come to the 10,000 meter run to face their greatest opponents - themselves. Clearly defined as a sport for individuals, the training as well as the mental and physical effort required to complete such a monumental, nay - olympian - task is nothing short of legendary. Runners who compete in the standard 10,000 meter run redesign their training regiments to deliver distance not speed, all while trimming excess energy expenditure in their stride, gait, and arm movements. Races are not won with speed - they are won with superior training, tactics, and energy management.

Champions of this event for the past three olympics all hail from the country of Ethiopia, with runner Haile Gebrselassie taking this titanic title home two olympics in a row, in 1996 and 2000. The current record for men is set by olympian Kenenisa Bekele, also from Ethiopia, with a time of 27:05.10.