By David Melly
February 19, 2025
There aren’t many periods of track world history where multiple world records get set in close proximity outside of a global championship… let alone six in nine days. (Yep, count ‘em.) That sort of thing just doesn’t happen in a sport where athletes peak precisely for postseason glory. But here we are:
- February 8: Grant Fisher sets the indoor 3000m WR.
- February 8: Yared Nuguse sets the indoor mile WR.
- February 13: Jakob Ingebrigtsen breaks both the 1500m and mile WRs.
- February 14: Fisher sets the indoor 5000m WR.
- February 16: Jacob Kiplimo sets the half marathon WR.
Sure, we spent a good chunk of last week complaining about world record attempts being over-hyped as part of pre-race narratives, but we’ve gotta admit: all those records made for a pretty fun week in athletics.
In our defense, part of what made this particular set of record-setting performances sparkle was the rivalry narratives baked in. Shots were fired—albeit across three countries, two continents, and six time zones. Whether you love him, hate him, or love to hate him, Jakob stealing Yared’s thunder in the most Jakob-y way possible gave fans plenty to chatter about. Kiplimo reclaimed the record Yomif Kejelcha had taken from him four months ago. Only Kejelcha broke his record by one measly second, whereas Kiplimo obliterated the new mark by a whopping 48, becoming the first sub-57 runner in history in the process.
Grant Fisher, having taken down Cole Hocker over 3000m the week prior and facing little chance of losing at BU, really was battling a different kind of foe: the 2024 version of Grant Fisher. Recall that, at the same track, on the same weekend, one year earlier, Fisher had embarked on a similar solo mission, chasing an Olympic standard and the American record in the 5000m, only to come up two-tenths of a second short of Woody Kincaid’s 2023 mark. And when Kincaid had set his record, the time he’d taken down was Fisher’s from 2022. But this year, Grant Fisher (2025 Edition) left no room for error and gave Kincaid—or whoever chases it next—a steep target to hit next time around. Fisher obliterated Kenenisa Bekele’s world indoor best in the event by an astonishing five seconds!
Grant’s busy week immediately joined the annals of all-time great competition stretches. The comparisons evoked included Daniel Komen’s August ‘97 run (3:29.46 1500m on the 16th, 12:39.74 5000m on the 22nd, 3:46.38 mile on the 26th), Haile Gebreselassie’s June ‘98 (26:22.75 10,000m on the 1st, 12:39.36 on the 12th), or Bekele’s own double world record week in 2004 (12:37.35 5000m on May 31st, 26:20.31 on June 8th). Even if you think Fisher’s performance ranks fourth, simply entering that conversation is seriously impressive.
If you’re in the camp that’s starting to get desensitized to fast times, we can’t blame you. But before you tear up your meticulously-updated handwritten record books and decide to look into whether or not professional pickleball is worth your fandom, consider what these performances queue up…
Ingebrigtsen has long shown the world he can run faster than anyone else when the circumstances are perfect. Already the WR holder in the 1500m indoors, his mile mark brings his total collection of world records (indoors and out) up to five. But every legacy-defining regular-season performance only adds weight to the crushing expectations on the Norwegian’s shoulders in championship settings. The quicker he runs in time trials only increases the potential for humiliation should he get beaten in a fourth straight 1500m final this fall.
Fisher now has two Olympic medals, six American records, and very little to prove on the domestic scene. So at 27 years old, the only place for him to go next is a step or two up the podium. That will require leveling up in both fitness and execution. And the current three-time defending global champion in the 5000m is a guy named Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Nuguse, with the American record both indoors and out and an Olympic bronze of his own, should be able to make a solid claim to the mantle of top American miler—were it not for the presence of Cole Hocker and his shiny Olympic title from Paris. To truly emerge from the pack of talented middle distance runners and assert his place as an all-time great, Nuguse has to start regularly and repeatedly beating a crop of guys that are just as talented, just as fit, and more or less at the same stage in their careers.
Kevin Morris / @kevmofoto
And for Hocker, Kincaid, Hobbs Kessler, Cooper Teare, Joe Klecker, or any number of potential rivals, the assignment is clear. The targets on Nuguse and Fisher’s respective backs just got even bigger. That’s the problem with being on top of the world in February: it’s pessimistic to say there’s nowhere to go but down, but the path upward is very narrow and steep. And for the guys clamoring behind you to rise up, their best path forward involves beating you.
Kiplimo is a slightly different story. His narrative will take him to the busy roads of London where he’s scheduled to make his debut in the marathon in a few short months. And with two World XC titles, two global 10,000m medals, and two of the three fastest half marathons ever run under his belt, expectations have never been higher for a first-time marathoner. Following the tragic death of world record holder Kelvin Kiptum in 2024, the sub-two-hour barrier seemed to retreat to the realm of “what ifs” with no heir apparent. But now, if Kiplimo takes to the 26.2 distance any near as well as he has its half-size sibling, it can’t be considered out of the realm of possibility.
Fast times alone can only take the sport so far. While it can be momentarily thrilling to bask in the glow of an unprecedented athletic achievement (or to return to the highlight reel every few days and click “play again”), what gives these performances real lasting significance is the context in which they land and the stories they help tell. And for each of these four athletes, the next chapter is just beginning.
David Melly
David began contributing to CITIUS in 2018, and quickly cemented himself as an integral part of the team thanks to his quick wit, hot takes, undying love for the sport and willingness to get yelled at online.
