Top 10 Fastest Runners in History

The quest to be the fastest is at the very heart of athletic competition. In the world of running, a few individuals have pushed the boundaries of human speed to levels once thought impossible. This list celebrates the fastest men in history across a range of distances, from the explosive power of the 100-meter sprint to the incredible endurance of the marathon.

This elite group of athletes is led by the undisputed fastest man in history, a long-distance revolutionary who broke the mythical two-hour marathon barrier, and a master of the middle distances.

Here are the men who have set the ultimate records in speed and endurance.

The Top 10 Fastest Runners in History

10. Kelvin Kiptum (Marathon)

World Record: 2:00:35

The late Kelvin Kiptum was a revolutionary force in marathon running. In just three official marathons, he shattered expectations, culminating in his official world record at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. His tragic passing in 2024 cut short a career that was on track to redefine the limits of long-distance running.

9. David Rudisha (800m)

World Record: 1:40.91

David Rudisha's 800m world record, set at the 2012 London Olympics, is considered one of the greatest races of all time. He led from the very start, an incredibly difficult strategy in a middle-distance race, and became the first and only person to run the 800m in under 1:41. His long, graceful stride and powerful finish made him an untouchable force at his peak.

8. Hicham El Guerrouj (1500m / Mile)

World Records: 3:26.00 (1500m) / 3:43.13 (Mile)

The Moroccan middle-distance legend holds the world records for both the 1500 meters and the mile, both of which have stood for over two decades. Known for his devastating "kick" (a sudden burst of speed at the end of a race), El Guerrouj's records are so fast that no other runner has come close to matching them.

7. Kenenisa Bekele (5,000m / 10,000m)

Former World Records: 12:37.35 (5k) / 26:17.53 (10k)

For over 15 years, Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia held the world records in both the 5,000m and 10,000m. His powerful finishing kick was legendary, allowing him to destroy fields of elite runners in the final lap. He is one of the most decorated and versatile distance runners in history, with multiple Olympic and World titles.

6. Joshua Cheptegei (5,000m / 10,000m)

World Records: 12:35.36 (5k) / 26:11.00 (10k)

The Ugandan distance runner is the current king of the 5,000m and 10,000m. In a remarkable 2020 season, he broke both of Kenenisa Bekele's long-standing world records. Cheptegei's success is built on his relentless, even-paced running, often utilizing advanced pacing light technology to stay on target.

5. Wayde van Niekerk (400m)

World Record: 43.03 seconds

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, running from the difficult outside lane, South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk smashed Michael Johnson's 17-year-old 400m world record. It was a stunning performance of pure speed and endurance over one full lap of the track, and he remains the only man in history to have run sub-10 for 100m, sub-20 for 200m, and sub-44 for 400m.

4. Michael Johnson (200m / 400m)

Former World Records: 19.32 (200m) / 43.18 (400m)

With his iconic upright running style and golden spikes, Michael Johnson dominated the 200m and 400m in the 1990s. His 200m record, set at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, was considered one of the most unbreakable in sports until Usain Bolt came along. His 400m world record stood for 17 years.

3. Eliud Kipchoge (Marathon)

Former World Record: 2:01:09 / First sub-2 hour marathon

Eliud Kipchoge is the greatest marathon runner of all time. He held the official world record for years and, most famously, became the first human to run a marathon in under two hours (1:59:40) in an unofficial, specially controlled event. His motto, "No Human Is Limited," has inspired millions, and he has redefined what is possible in long-distance running.

2. Yohan Blake (100m / 200m)

Personal Bests: 9.69 (100m) / 19.26 (200m)

Known as "The Beast," Yohan Blake is the second-fastest man in history in both the 100m and 200m. His misfortune was that his entire career coincided with Usain Bolt's. On any other timeline, he would have been the undisputed king of sprinting. His 9.69s 100m and incredible 19.26s 200m are times that only one other man has ever beaten.

1. Usain Bolt (100m / 200m)

World Records: 9.58 (100m) / 19.19 (200m)

There can be no debate. Usain Bolt is the fastest human being in recorded history. The Jamaican superstar shattered the world records in the 100m and 200m at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. His combination of a massive stride length and incredible top-end speed, coupled with his charismatic personality, made him a global icon. His records remain in a league of their own, seemingly untouchable by the current generation of sprinters.

Summary Table: Fastest Runners in History

Conclusion

These ten extraordinary athletes represent the pinnacle of human speed and endurance. From Usain Bolt's seemingly impossible sprint records to Eliud Kipchoge's historic sub-two-hour marathon, each runner on this list has pushed the boundaries of what we once believed was physically possible.

What makes these achievements truly remarkable is not just the numbers themselves, but the dedication, training, and sheer determination required to reach such heights. These records stand as monuments to human potential, inspiring future generations of athletes to dream bigger and push harder.

As technology, training methods, and our understanding of human performance continue to evolve, we can expect to see new names added to this exclusive club. But for now, these ten legends remain the fastest runners in history, their records serving as the ultimate benchmarks of human speed and endurance.

The quest for speed continues, and with each new generation of athletes, we inch closer to discovering the true limits of human performance. As Eliud Kipchoge famously said: "No Human Is Limited."