Fastest distance track races in flats?

[lovetorun]

My question may not be answerable...but I wonder what the fastest distance races on the track without spikes i.e. in racing flats are?? Any stories out there about fast times in flats?

[ExCoastRanger]

Re: Fastest distance track races in flats?

I could be wrong, but I think Mary Slaney's AR 10,000 ('82?), 31:35 was run in flats.

[lovetorun]

Re: Fastest distance track races in flats?

Yeah, I also remember that since you did...it was that , because of her sensitive calves, she raced in flats...good one.

[Bruce Kritzler]

Re: Fastest distance track races in flats?

Frank Shorter ran some of his 10k's in flats, as he always had foot problems.
Haile Gebresalaise ran a few 10k's in flats late in his career after he experiences calf and achilles problems.
Amy Mortimer(ex-Kansas St) runs most (all?) of her track races in flats.

[DecFan]

Re: Fastest distance track races in flats?

If the question is revised to "Fastest distance track races not wearing spikes" - I saw an 8:15 steeplechase in Kenya performed barefoot . . .

[Rog]

Re: Fastest distance track races in flats?

Zola Budd ran all her best races barefoot - 3:59, 8:28 etc.

I think Liz McColgan ran the qualifying 10k in the 91 Worlds in flats to spare her feet for the final

[lovetorun]

Re: Fastest distance track races in flats?

The main reason I thought of this thread is that I ran some of my best 5000m and 10,000m races in flats. My PR in the 5000m was in flats (14:54.7) and my PR for 10,000m was in short spikes (32:48.2). But, my calves and achilles tendons ached for a couple of weeks after that race. Spikes do give you better traction and help you run faster, but it puts a lot more pressure on your calves/achilles tendons.