At what age do middle distance pro runners stop improving

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1 year ago 08/19/2022 12:24pm EDT

re: talent evaluator

talent evaluator wrote:
There are so many variables, including what age the runner started, injury history, etc

Yes, this is an idiotic question, for many reasons including these.

As well, what exactly does "stop improving" mean?

If a runner breaks through from inconsistent 1:45s to 1:44.5 one year, but never goes faster?

What if that runner develops the fitness and race skills to run 1:44 every time out? What if they run high-level races and develop tactics to win races in 1:44-1:45, even if not running another PB?

Are they not improving?

#22

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1 year ago 08/19/2022 10:37pm EDT

re: Trackmeister

Trackmeister wrote:
What is the average peak age of performance in the 1500/3000? When do times stop improving?

Average peak age of performance? 25 or so, perhaps a bit older. When do times stop improving? Depends on the athlete but some have been able to sustain improvements all the way into their 30s. Nick Willis ran 3:32 at 21 while still in college at Michigan, but ran his PR of 3:29.66 at 32 and medaled in Rio at 33.

1 year ago 08/20/2022 5:18am EDT

re: Trackmeister

After 30 its not really possible to run a fast 800 as its mostly dependant on muscle mass and youtful nervous system.

As for 1500, you can run it all the way until you are 40.

Id say peak 800 is 26 and peak 1500 would be 31

1 year ago 08/20/2022 12:48pm EDT

re: Trackmeister

generally peak performance for faster races peak in early 20s while peak performance for longer races are low to mid 30s. this is not true for every person, however. since 1500/3000 is more on the distance side of things, i'd have to say maybe mid to late 20s is the estimated range for peak performance.

1 year ago 08/20/2022 2:01pm EDT

re: Not washed yet

Not washed yet wrote:
In the pure middle distances…800 and 1500, I would expect the true peak to be somewhere around 25 or 26 given the intensity/wear and tear that comes with training for those events at the pro level. You just absolutely beat your body up with the speed work required to run pro. Nick Symmonds ran his 1:42 at the age of 29, so that’s a bit later. he’s also stockier/bulkier than the average 800m guy.

One caveat here is that there’s probably a bit of a gradation in how 800 runners progress as they age depending on whether they’re leaning more speed or endurance. Symmonds, for example, leaned heavily towards the endurance side relative to other top 800 guys — I think his best open 400 was around 47.5, whereas there were other 1:42-43 guys who ran 45.x — and I’d imagine that type of runner peaks somewhat later than the ones whose peak form was built on sprint work. When speed starts to go it goes quickly.

1 year ago 08/20/2022 2:37pm EDT

re: prorunner123

prorunner123 wrote:
After 30 its not really possible to run a fast 800 as its mostly dependant on muscle mass and youtful nervous system.
As for 1500, you can run it all the way until you are 40.
Id say peak 800 is 26 and peak 1500 would be 31

World record for 35M in the 800 is 1:43 low. That’s a pretty fast 800 lol, and plenty over 30 have run 1:42

1 year ago 08/22/2022 1:10pm EDT

re: Trackmeister

Basically after 26 you won’t see many improving their 1500 times. Peak age is 23-25. There are obviously outliers but most don’t improve

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