how to get recruited for the 800m

The Stars of The Event

The 800m is a true test of an athlete's ability to combine explosive speed with endurance. Among the all-time greats, Kenyan David Rudisha stands out with his world record of 1:40.91, a performance widely considered one of the greatest track feats ever. Other legendary male runners include Wilson Kipketer and Sebastian Coe. On the women's side, Jarmila Kratochvílová holds the long-standing world record, while American Athing Mu and Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson are two of the best modern talents. In the collegiate scene, programs like the University of Florida, the University of Arkansas, and Oregon consistently produce top-tier middle-distance runners, dominating NCAA championships and developing future Olympians.

Division 1

For high school athletes with dreams of competing at the Division 1 level, the 800m presents a specific set of benchmarks. For men, a highly competitive time for D1 recruitment is typically in the range of 1:52.00 to 1:55.00. To be a top recruit or a scholarship contender, an athlete would need to be on the faster end of this spectrum, often running sub-1:52.00. For women, the target range is generally between 2:10.00 and 2:15.00. Top-tier D1 programs look for times closer to 2:07.00. Achieving these times requires significant dedication and consistent improvement throughout high school.

Division 2

Division 2 schools offer excellent opportunities for athletes to continue their running careers and often provide a more balanced athletic and academic experience. While the standards are slightly less demanding than D1, they are still very competitive. Male high school athletes looking to be recruited for D2 should aim for a time between 1:55.00 and 2:00.00. For women, a competitive time is typically in the range of 2:20.00 to 2:25.00. These times can put you on the radar of D2 coaches and may lead to scholarship offers, depending on the specific program and conference.