Swiftest Mile run Records: Leading Five for Male and Female Competitors
In the time it takes you to heat up a five-minute microwave meal, elite-level runners have already completed their 1-mile run – and likely have leftovers. Here's a rundown of those who have set the record for the fastest mile times.
Fastest Mile Times for Women
The top five fastest mile times for women are all under 4 minutes and 15 seconds.
5. Ciara Mageean
During a Diamond League meet at Stade Louis II in Monaco on July 21, 2023, Ciara Mageean clocked a 4:14.58, shattering her personal best and breaking the Irish record held by Sonia O'Sullivan since 1994.
4. Genzebe Dibaba
Ethiopian athlete Genzebe Dibaba reached new heights when she ran a mile in 4:13.31 at the Globe Arena in Stockholm on February 17, 2016.
3. Svetlana Masterkova
Setting her 4:12.56 mile record in Zürich on August 14, 1996, Svetlana Masterkova made history 18 months after giving birth to her first child.
2. Sifan Hassan
At Stade Louis II in Monaco on July 12, 2019, Dutch runner Sifan Hassan clocked a mile in 4.12:33—missing her personal best by just three seconds but still making history and becoming a world champion.
1. Faith Kipyegon (Current Record Holder)
Faith Kipyegon set the current record on July 21, 2023, at the Diamond League race in Monaco, achieving a time of 4:07.64. Kipyegon's coach, fellow Kenyan runner Patrick Sang, said, "I'm really pleased, she ran a beautiful race."
Fastest Mile Times for Men
The top five mile times for men all took place either in Oregon, USA, or Italy.
5. Noureddine Morceli
On September 8, 1993, Noureddine Morceli of Algeria became a world champion with his 3:44.39 time at Rieti in Italy.
4. Yared Nuguse
Yared Nuguse of the U.S. clocked a 3:43.97 mile on September 16, 2023, at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
3. Jakob Ingebrigtsen
Facing off against Nuguse and others, Jakob Ingebrigsten of Norway set a new 3:43.73 mile record in Oregon on September 16, 2023.
2. Noah Ngeny
On July 7, 1999, Kenyan runner Noah Ngeny recorded a 3:43.40 mile at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
1. Hicham El Guerrouj (Unbeaten Record Holder)
With a remarkable time of 3:43.13, Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco remains the mile record holder for men, setting the record on July 7, 1999, at an event in Rome.
Good Mile Times for Non-Professional Runners
Average mile times for intermediate adult runners (individuals who are faster than 50% of those with similar demographics) can differ based on numerous factors such as age, gender, and fitness level. While younger runners may have faster times due to higher recovery rates, men typically have faster average times than women of a similar age and training level due to physiological differences. Regular training (including frequency, duration, and type) directly impacts performance, helping to improve speed and endurance.
- In the midst of reheating a five-minute microwave meal, an intermediate runner might still be completing their one-mile run.
- While elite-level runners consistently break sub-4-minute miles, average runners would be striving for times within the range of 6 to 11 minutes.
