1985 - Oslo - Steve Cram WR Mile

The 1985 Olso Bislett Games. Steve Cram ends Sebastian Coe's claim to the World Record in the Mile, beating Coe in the process. A noteworthy performance indeed as the pace was uneven and the time at three-quarters relatively slow. With a lap to go, most onlookers believed there was no chance for a record.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Steve Cram
• Sebastian Coe
• World Record Mile
• Bislett Games
• athletics
• Track and Field

[franknjess]

I should add I think Coe was the best trained of the Big 3 of the early and mid 80's. I think Ovett was the toughest - Cram nor Coe would never have raced suffering from bronchitis. Cram probably had the most natural ability of the three, but should have had the compartment surgery Walker had on his calves (fascia). The torque from his toe placement, with his thin ankles and large calves is a formula for injury, as it is for almost all runners with this leg structure.

[milerman]

Frank, you do make good points but I think you and Deano need to cool off. It doesn't do anyone much good arguing over races that can't be rerun. Sometimes the remarks make me laugh, I have to admit. Deano is the most rabid Coe fan I've ever seen. I think you post to simply push Deano's buttons.

[milerman]

Everyone likes to argue. Like Arthur Lydiard and Roger Bannister, I think Jim Ryun had the greatest natural ability (in '01 Lydiard said Ryun would still hold the 800 and mile records "...if I had coached him."). However, he was poorly coached and his best times have been eclipsed many times, just like Coe's records are gone, Ovett's etc. Down the line El G's, Kipketer's marks, etc. will be buried. The top guys merely set targets for future stars to take down. Leave it at that.

[milerman]

Cram was fresh off setting a WR in the 1500 meter run (having also become the first man to cover the distance under 3:30). That's the main reason he was the center of attention. Coe's lack of top form at the time is also the reason he wasn't as much a target of the media's focus. They realized he was not in top condition and hence unlikely to give Cram a serious challenge.

[jibjobjab]

I believe Coe would have beaten a fully fit Cram in 84.

[smooveXXX]

Coe = the great time trilaller, Ovett = the great racer, Cram = the great talent.

[deano27671]

@bijection765 Yes, because now they have a decent test for EPO. Not full proof, but at least they have one now. They didn't in the 90's and they first test up to 2006 was pretty useless too.

[bijection765]

@milerman El G's record will stand for years more, it is a Monster!

[OurManInMarrakessh]

@deano27671 - Nobody's denying coe was magnificent, but Cram was incredible for British Athletics too and his silverware accomplishments and pb's prove this, 3.29.67 in the 1500 proved that, Coe's 3.29.77 pb however doesnt trump Cram, but still in the same league.

[kozmon0t]

@deano27671 Then he should be like John Ngugi in 1988 and leave the slow and tactical to everyone else. Not easy in a 1500 but if you haven't got the kick, it's the only option in the Slo-lympics.

[deano27671]

If you can find me any performance from Cram where he ran as fast as Coe did in LA at the end of a 3:32 or faster 1500 race (or equivalent Mile) then I'll bow to your opinion. You won't find one. And when Coe won the 1500 at 84 Olympics, it was his 7th race in 9 days. Cram NEVER put together such a series of high intensity in his entire career. Cram's record is not as good as Coe's at 1500m, despite it being Coe's 2nd event. 2 Olympic golds, a 1500 WR and 3 x 1 Mile records, trumps Cram.

[deano27671]

@Daz555Daz Cram's coach said he was in a similar position going into LA as he'd been before the previous year's World Champs. He was short of a few races, but he wouldn't have gone to LA if he felt he wasn't capable of winning it. The difference is that in Helsinki, it went 3:41, in LA it was 3:32. Coe also didn't have a great build up in 84 and missed several months training in winter. Coe ran the last 800m in 1:49.8 & last 100m in 12.7 in LA.

[Daz555Daz]

Here's my take on the whole Cram v Coe thing. For me Coe is Britains greatest ever middle distance runner. However I think that Cram is Britains best ever 1500m/mile runner. On their best days best Coe wins the 800 and Cram the 1500 or mile. If they ran all 3 on the same day and it went to points, I'd go for Ovett for sheer guts and bottle.

[Daz555Daz]

@jibjobjab if by 1984 you mean LA Olympics then I have to disagree. Cram looked short of his top sprinting speed by some margin.