Research Specifications

Middle-distance running is used to describe races that are held at distances longer than sprints and shorter than long-distance running. The 800 meters and 1500 meters are standard middle-distance races that are also contested at the Olympics. The 3000 meters are also typically considered a middle-distance race, and the two-mile race is common in some countries as well. Middle-distance running involves popular race distances with performance dependent on several physiological factors[6]. The physiological characteristics of successful middle-distance runners differ from those of sprinters and long-distance runners. Variables such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), running economy, and anaerobic threshold have been shown to limit performance in long-distance running, while speed and anaerobic variables limit performance in speed running. Success in middle-distance running depends on the integrated contribution of aerobic and anaerobic variables that allow a runner to maintain their speed throughout the race. The relative contribution of the two energy systems to distance, intensity, and physiological capabilities of the runner is a determining factor. Middle-distance runners can succeed with physiological profiles that include various aerobic and anaerobic capacities, distinguishing them from long-distance runners