A look forward to the 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m, 30000m steeplechase and marathon at the Games

Here is your armchair guide to the endurance running races at the Paris Olympics. Dont forget to follow our coverage of the Games on our website and social media channels.

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The below statistics first appeared in our monthly print magazine, which you can buy here. 

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Mens 800m

Final: August 10

Defending champion: Emmanuel Korir (KEN) 1:45.06

Olympic record-holder: David Rudisha (KEN) 1:40.91, 2012

World champion: Marco Arop (CAN) 1:44.24

World leader: Djamel Sedjati (ALG) 1:41.46

The event has seen great improvement in 2024 and any one of 20 athletes could win medals.

Top contenders

Djamel Sedjati (ALG) (1:41.46 in 2024)

The 2022 world runner-up has been in stunning form, setting successive world leads in Ostrava, Stockholm, Paris and Monaco.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi (1:41.58 in 2024)

The Budapest silver medallist has gone up a gear in 2024 with a 1:41.70 at the Kenyan trials and then going even faster in Paris.

Gabriel Tual (FRA) (1:41.61 in 2024)

The European champion set a two-second PB in Paris and will have huge home support.

Marco Arop (CAN) (1:42.93 in 2024)

The world champion was only sixth in Monaco but will start as one of the favourites.

British challenge: World bronze medallist Ben Pattison impressed at the UK trials before taking almost two seconds off his PB with 1:42.27 in Monaco. A fully fit Max Burgin would also be a medal contender while former world 1500m champion Jake Wightman is returning from injury.

AW Prediction: 1 Sedjati (ALG) 1:44.05; 2 Arop (CAN) 1:44.12; 3 Tual (FRA) 1:44.15

Womens 800m

Final: August 5

Defending champion: Athing Mu (USA)

Olympic record-holder:
Nadezhda Olizarenko (URS) 1:53.43, 1980

World champion: Mary Moraa (KEN) 1:56.03

World leader: Keely Hodgkinson (GBR) 1:55.78

Without Athing Mu, the race is far more open. On 2024 form Keely Hodgkinson is favourite but Mary Moraa beat her in Budapest.

Top contenders

Mary Moraa (KEN) (1:56.71 in 2024)

The world champion was only a semi-finalist in Tokyo, but is much improved and can draw on 50.38 400m speed.

Prudence Sekgodiso (RSA) (1:57.26 in 2024)

Won in Marrakesh and Oslo and, though she was well beaten by Hodgkinson in Hengelo, she looks ready for her first major medal.

Nia Akins (USA) (1:57.36 in 2024)

The US trials winner was sixth in Budapest and will not be able to fully replace Mu.

Tsige Duguma (ETH) (1:57.56 in 2024)

The world indoor champion has struggled outdoors and was well down in Eugene and Oslo.

British Challenge: European champion Hodgkinson, second in Tokyo and at the last two World Championships, can go one better if she can replicate her race plan from the Pre Classic, where she decisively beat Moraa. Jemma Reekie, an unlucky fourth in Tokyo, should make the final again while 17-year-old UK champion Phoebe Gill should join her.

AW Prediction: 1 Hodgkinson GBR 1:55.40; 2 Moraa KEN 1:55.75; 3 Gill GBR 1:56.45

Mens 1500m

Final: August 6

Defending champion/Olympic record:
Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 3:28.32

World champion: Josh Kerr (GBR) 3:29.38

World leader: Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 3:26.73

With four different global champions in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023, no-one has completely dominated the major events.

Top contenders

Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) (3:26.73 in 2024)

The defending champion may have lost the last two global finals, but his level of consistency is extraordinary and he broke the European record in Monaco.

Timothy Cheruiyot (KEN) (3:28.71 in 2024)

The 2019 world champion pushed Ingebrigtsen close in Oslo but was well beaten in Monaco.

Cole Hocker (USA) (3:30.59 in 2024)

Sixth in Tokyo, the US trials winner is now stronger and can better use his fierce kick.

Yared Nuguse (USA) (3:29.13 in 2024)

In what is likely to be a fast-paced race, the 3000m world indoor silver medallist looks a strong contender.

British Challenge: Josh Kerr is the reigning world 1500m champion, world indoor 3000m winner and beat Ingebrigtsen over the mile in a British record-breaking time. At their best, British champion Neil Gourley and George Mills should make the final.

AW Prediction: 1 Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 3:28.50; 2 Kerr (GBR) 3:28.90; 3 Cheruiyot (KEN) 3:29.34

Womens 1500m

Final: August 10

Defending champion/Olympic record: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:53.11

World champion: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:54.87

World leader: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 3:49.04

Despite a high-quality entry one athlete stands out, but medal places will be highly contested.

Top contenders

Faith Kipyegon (KEN) (3:49.04 in 2024)

The double champion improved her own world record in Paris and looks certain to win her third successive Olympic gold.

Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) (3:50.30 in 2024)

With world titles at 5000m and 10,000m, she has also been entered in these events. Has not run a 1500m since April but came close to the world record.

Jessica Hull (AUS) (3:50.83 in 2024)

The greatly improved Aussie pushed Kipyegon in Paris and set a 2000m world record in Monaco. Looks to be a very good medal bet.

Diribe Welteji (ETH) (3:53.75 in 2024)

The world road mile champion was the Budapest silver medallist and won in Eugene this year.

British Challenge: Laura Muir broke her British record in Paris, running 3:53.79, while Georgia Bell won the trials and improved to 3:56.54 in Paris. Revee Walcott-Nolan should also make the final.

Prediction: 1 Kipyegon (KEN) 3:55.12; 2 Tsegay (ETH) 3:55.96; 3 Hull (AUS) 3:56.04

Mens 5000m

Final: August 10

Defending champion: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 12:58.15

Olympic record: Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 12:57.82, 2008

World champion: Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 13:11.30

World leader: Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) 12:36.73

Traditionally the event does not see super fast paces, but will the Africans decide the best way of beating Jakob Ingebrigtsen is to run hard all the way?

Top contenders

Hagos Gebrhiwet (ETH) (12:36.73 in 2024)

The world runner-up in 2013 and Olympic bronze medallist in 2016 went second all-time in Oslo this year and is in the form of his life.

Joseph Cheptegei (UGA) (12:51.91 in 2024)

The Olympic champion has enjoyed success on the Diamond League circuit in this event, although he may have better chances at the 10,000m in Paris.

Jakob Kiplimo (UGA) (12:40.96 in 2024)

The Tokyo fifth-placer also ran his fast time in Oslo, and he too goes for the 10,000m.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen (NOR) (13:14.36 in 2024)

The Norwegian has focused more on racing the 1500m but has won the last two World Championships and three Europeans at this event. This will be his first Olympic 5000m campaign.

British Challenge: Sam Atkin has been quiet since his near British record 12:54.66 in May, though George Mills has won a European silver and both could make the final. It may be harder for Patrick Dever, who is more geared to the 10,000m.

AW Prediction: 1 Ingebrigtsen (NOR) 12:49.67; 2 Gebrhiwet (ETH) 12:50.12; 3 Kiplimo (UGA) 12:51.00

Womens 5000m

Final: August 5

Defending champion: Sifan Hassan (NED) 14:36.79

Olympic record:
Vivian Cheruiyot (ETH) 14:26.17, 2016

World champion: Faith Kipyegon (KEN) 14:53.88

World leader: Tsige Gebreselama (ETH) 14:18.76

No one has dominated this event in 2024 and it is complicated with almost all contenders also targeting the 1500m and 10,000m.

Top contenders

Beatrice Chebet (KEN) (14:26.98 in 2024)

Has won medals in the last two World Championships and ranks third all-time but now has the distraction of the 10,000m after her world record in May.

Sifan Hassan (NED) (14:34.38 in 2024)

The reigning champion who was second in Budapest was only seventh at the Pre Classic this summer and recent marathon training seems to have blunted her 1:56.81 800m speed.

Faith Kipyegon (KEN) (14:46.28 in 2024)

The world champion has a better chance at the 1500m but a win at the Kenyan trials at altitude shows she is on course to match her Budapest double, whatever the Ethiopians throw at her.

Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) (14:00.21 in 2023)

The world record-holder won Olympic bronze in 2021 and world gold in 2022 but, despite fast runs at 1500m, 3000m and 10,000m, she has not contested a 5000m in 2024.

British Challenge: No Britons have been selected, with Megan Keith focusing on the 10,000m and Hannah Nuttall being overlooked despite a rankings spot.

AW Prediction: 1 Kipyegon (KEN) 14:25.56; 2 Chebet (KEN) 14:26.12; 3 Tsegay (ETH) 14:26.66

Mens 10,000m

Final: August 2

Defending champion: Selemon Barega (ETH) 27:43.22

Olympic record: Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) 27:01.47, 2008

World champion: Joshua Cheptegei (UGA) 27:51.42

World leader: Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) 26:31.01

This should be an Ethiopia v Kenya v Uganda match race.

Top contenders

Yomif Kejelcha (ETH) (26:31.01 in 2024)

Seventh in this event in Tokyo and he has only run seven 25-lappers in his life but he won the Ethiopian trials and moved to seventh on the all-time lists.

Selemon Barega (ETH) (26:34.93 in 2024)

The reigning champion was only third in Budapest and at this years trials race. He was third over 3000m at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

Daniel Matieko (KEN) (26:50.81 in 2024)

Eighth in Budapest but looked more impressive in winning the Kenyan trials in Eugene. More of a half-marathoner (ranks second in the world in 2024) than a 5000m runner.

Joshua Cheptegei (27:51.42 in 2023, 26:53 road in 2024)

The world record-holder and three-time world champion has not matched his fast times of 2020 but has won world 10,000m titles in Eugene and Budapest, as well as an Olympic silver.

British Challenge: No Brits compete. Patrick Dever was selected subject to rankings, but that system meant he missed out.

AW Prediction: 1 Cheptegei (UGA) 26:58.65; 2 Barega (ETH) 26:59.10; 3 Kejelcha (ETH) 27:00.10

Womens 10,000m

Final: August 9

Defending champion: Sifan Hassan (NED) 29:55.32

Olympic record: Almaz Ayana (ETH) 29:17.45, 2016

World champion: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) 31:27.18

World leader: Beatrice Chebet (KEN) 28:54.14

The African nations are expected to dominate.

Top contenders

Beatrice Chebet (KEN) (28:54.14 in 2024)

Has only won one sub-33 but that was a
sub-29 as she lines up for her first ever Championships 10,000m.

Gudaf Tsegay (ETH) (29:05.92 in 2024)

Has only once run slower than 29:40 and that was when she won the world title in Budapest but was unable to match Chebet in Eugene as she went
third all-time.

Fotyen Tesfay (ETH) (29:47.71 in 2024)

Making her senior championships track debut courtesy of an Ethiopian trials win.

Tsige Gebreselama (ETH) (29:48.34 in 2024)

The 5000m world leader and World Cross Country runner-up has run 29:48 and 29:49 this summer and will be keen to make up for Tokyo where she dropped out.

Sifan Hassan (29:37.80 in 2023)

The reigning champion has not run a 10,000m since falling in the Budapest finishing straight while contesting gold. She has a lot on her plate, given that she is entered in no fewer than four events.

British Challenge: European silver medallist Megan Keith could make the top 10. Eilish McColgan broke the British record with 30:00.86 in March last year but has had a challenging time with injury. She was forced to drop out of the European Championships in Rome but showed some form on the roads.

Prediction: 1 Chebet (KEN) 29:35.16; 2 Tsegay (ETH) 29:36.12; 3 Hassan (NED) 29:36.15

Mens marathon

Final: August 10

Defending champion: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) 2:08:38

Olympic record: Samuel Wanjiru (KEN) 2:06:32, 2008

World champion: Viktor Kiplangat (UGA) 2:08:53

World leader: Benson Kipruto (KEN) 2:02:16

Many of the leading contenders will line up for the Olympics and a high-quality field is assured.

Top contenders

Benson Kipruto (KEN) (2:02:16 in 2024)

The winner in Tokyo earlier this year has also previously won in Chicago and Boston but has never run a championships marathon.

Alexander Mutiso (KEN) (2:04:01 in 2024)

The London winner also ran 2:03:11 in Valencia last year. His only previous championships was a third place in the World Youth 3000m in 2013.

Kenenisa Bekele (ETH) (2:04:15 in 2024)

Arguably the worlds greatest ever distance runner, with three Olympic track golds and 20 world titles already under his belt, he was second in London this year and bows out at the age of 42.

Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) (2:06:50 in 2024)

The worlds greatest ever marathoner bids for a record third successive gold medal and a 2:02:42 from Berlin last year is more representative of his current form.

British Challenge: The line-up is led by Emile Cairess, who was a fine third in London, plus Mahamed Mahamed and Phil Sesemann.

Prediction:
1 Kipchoge (KEN) 2:04:55; 2 Mutiso (KEN) 2:05:03; 3 Kipruto (KEN) 2:05:11

Womens marathon

Final: August 11

Defending champion:
Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) 2:27:20

Olympic record: Tiki Gelana (ETH) 2:23:07, 2012

World champion: Amane Beriso (ETH) 2:24:23

World leader: Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) 2:15:55

There is no clear favourite in this race, while world leader Sutume Asefa Kebede was not selected and 2:11:44 performer Sifan Hassan is also entered in the 1500m, 5000m and 10,000m!

Top contenders

Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) (2:16:16 in 2024)

The defending champion showed her current form with a fine win in London.

Tigist Assefa (ETH) (2:16:23 in 2024)

The 2:11:53 world record-holder, who has run 1:59.24 for 800m, was second in London.

Amane Beriso (ETH) (2:16:58 in 2024)

The world champion was third this year in Tokyo.

Hellen Obiri (KEN) (2:22:37 in 2024)

The two-time 5000m world champion has now adapted to the marathon, with two wins in Boston and one in New York in her last three outings.

British challenge: The three British competitors Calli Hauger-Thackery, Charlotte Purdue and Rose Harvey all qualified with their 2:22 and 2:23 times in autumn 2023 and a repeat of those sort of performances, if not times, would probably see them around the top 20.

AW Prediction:
1 Obiri (KEN) 2:17:45; 2 Jepchirchir 2:17:52; 3 Assefa (ETH) 2:17:59

Mens 3000m steeplechase

Final: August 7

Defending champion: Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) 8:08.90

Olympic record: Conseslus Kipruto (KEN) 8:03.28, 2016

World champion: Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) 8:03.53

World leader: Lamecha Girma (ETH) 8:01.63

This looks like being a simple head-to-head between the events two major stars, Soufiane El Bakkali and Lamecha Girma.

Top contenders

Lamecha Girma (ETH) (8:01.63 in 2024)

The world record-holder won in Stockholm but has raced sparingly and will be hoping to improve on four successive global silvers, including Tokyo 2021.

Amos Serem (KEN) (8:02:36 in 2024)

A Commonwealth bronze medallist, he won the Kenyan trials and then set a huge PB at the Paris Diamond League.

Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) (8:09.40 in 2024)

The defending champion also won the 2022 and 2023 world titles, but he has been quiet in 2024.

Geordie Beamish (NZL) (8:09.64 in 2024)

The world indoor 1500m champion was fifth in Budapest and will be hoping for a slower-paced race.

British Challenge: Though Phil Norman ran the fastest British steeplechase for 30 years and was in the world rankings quota, he was not selected.

AW Prediction: 1 El Bakkali (ETH) 8:01.64; 2 Girma (ETH) 8:02.80; 3 Beamish (NZL) 8:05.32

Womens 3000m steeplechase

Final: August 6

Defending champion: Peruth Chemutai (KEN) 9:01.45

Olympic record: Gulnara Samitova-Galkina (RUS) 8:58.81, 2008

World champion: Winfred Yavi (BRN) 8:54.29

World leader: Peruth Chemutai (UGA) 8:55.09

This race looks being more open than the mens, with a number of nations capable of winning medals.

Top contenders

Peruth Chemutai (UGA) (8:55.09 in 2024)

The reigning champion was only sixth in Budapest but a five-second PB in winning in Eugene puts her back among the favourites.

Beatrice Chepkoech (KEN) (8:55.40 in 2024)

The world record-holder won silver in Budapest last year, while a world indoor 3000m bronze plus fast times in April and May show she is back on form.

Winfred Yavi (BRN) (9:03.68 in 2024)

The former Kenyan, who was 10th in 2021, stepped up a gear to win the world title in Budapest and then go second all-time last year. A fast win in Paris suggests she can win more medals.

Alice Finot (FRA) (9:05.01 in 2024)

The Budapest fourth-placer survived an initial disqualification to win the European title and followed that up with a French record in Paris.

British Challenge: Lizzie Bird won European bronze in Rome and was a fine third at the Paris Diamond League in 9:09.07 to confirm she should easily make the final. Aimee Pratt is returning from injury issues.

AW Prediction: 1 Yavi (BRN) 8:59.16; 2 Chemutai (UGA) 8:59.65; 3 Finot (FRA) 9:00.35