The 3000 metres is a popular amateur middle distance track event (colloquially known as "3k") where 7.5 laps are completed around a 400 metre track. This event is generally classified as middle distance, but it could be classed as a long distance event in many high schools, since they do not promote races such as the 5000 and 10,000 metres. The 3000 m is often seen as a transitionary point to long distance; an event where both middle and long distance runners can succeed and where an emphasis is put on balancing middle distance speed with long distance endurance. Usually in American high schools a 3200 metres race is used rather than a 3000 metres, as 3200 metres is 1.988 miles and is frequently referred to as the "two-mile."
In men's athletics, 3000 metres has never been an Olympic discipline, nor has it been contested at any of the IAAF-organized championships. On the European professional circuit, the 3000 metres is run less frequently than other distance events, such as the 5000 m and 3000 m steeplechase, but it is still a fairly oft-run and prestigious event at the athletics meetings.
In women's athletics, 3000 metres was a standard discipline at the Olympic Games (1984, 1988, and 1992) and World Championships. The event was discontinued at World Championship and Olympic level after the 1993 World Championships in Athletics - Qu Yunxia being the final gold medal winner at the event. Starting with the 1995 World Championships in Athletics and the 1996 Olympic Games, it was replaced by 5000 metres, with other IAAF-organized championships following suit. The 3000 m continues to be run occasionally at minor meets and is still considered a prestigious event; however, the event has been essentially relegated to indoor status in recent times.
Elite 3K runners may average 400 m/min, a speed near or above VVO2max, for which the oxygen requirements of the body cannot continuously be satisfied[1], requiring some anaerobic effort.
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The men's world record is 7:20.67 set by Daniel Komen of Kenya in 1996. The women's world record is 8:06.11 set by Wang Junxia of China in 1993.
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