Wightman in the fast lane as he overtakes British icons’ 1,500m times
● ‘It’s mind-blowing’ – Only Farah is now ahead of the Scot in the all-time rankings
When it comes to the all-time British record for running the fastest 1,500 metres, Scotland’s Jake Wightman has been moving through the field at an impressive rate.
Following his heroics at the Diamond League meeting in Monaco at the end of last week, there is now only one man in front of him – Mo Farah’s record is in his sights.
Wightman moved to second in the list when he clocked 3 minutes 29.47 seconds on Friday evening, finishing third in a race won by Kenya’s world champion Timothy Cheruiyot in 3:28.45.
The time, which took the Scottish record under 3:30 for the first time, moved Wightman clear of 1980s greats Steve Cram (3:29.67), Seb Coe (3:29.77) and Steve Ovett (3:30.77), with only Farah having gone faster in the British list – he ran 3:28.81, also in Monaco, in July 2013.
“Growing up in the sport the names of Steve Cram, Seb Coe and Steve Ovett are absolute legends so to run quicker than them for 1,500m is something which feels very special and will give me a lot of confidence,” said Wightman, who shaved more than two seconds off his personal best.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, he added: “The one thing I don’t have is the medals and the actual world records times they’ve got alongside it. It’s just Mo [Farah] ahead now. They are guys that have done so much in our sport. They’re always the ones that we’re getting compared to as 800m and 1,500m athletes.
“To actually go past them has really given me the confidence for next year to try to challenge for medals, because that’s what I really need to aim for, to try to come home with some silverware.
“To be able to run under 3:30 is mind blowing. To see a two rather than a three after the three minutes was just mad.”
Wightman’s performance left Cram – who was commentating on the race – speechless. “That must hurt a bit,” said co-commentator Tim Hutchings, referring to the fact that the Scot had just beaten Cram’s PB and bumped him down the all-time British list. Cram perhaps regarded it as a rhetorical question because no answer was forthcoming. He did, though, send a personal message of congratulations to Wightman shortly after.
Wightman, a bronze medallistatthegoldcoastcommonwealth Games in April 2018 and then again a few months later at the European Championships in Berlin, may be leading the way for Scotland when it comes to the 1,500m but there’s plenty competition just over the Edinburgh AC athlete’s shoulder.
Johnrobson’stimeof3:33.83 stood for 38 years – from 1979 to 2017 – as Scotland’s fastest 1,500m run but he is down to fourth in the list now, behind Wightman and his Edinburgh
Scottish list
1. Jake Wightman
3:29.47 (14 August 2020)
2. Chris O’hare
3:32.11 (20 July 2018)
3. Josh Kerr
3:32.52 (6 October 2019)
4. John Robson
3:33.83 (4 September 1979)
5. Graham Williamson
3:34.01 (28 June 1983)
clubmates Chris O’hare and Josh Kerr.
Mike Johnston, the former head of endurance at Scottish Athletics, has been impressed by the current crop’s quick times. “After the golden eras when John Robson, Frank Clement and Graham Williamson regularly made UK teams and were stars on the
world scene, the quartet of Jake Wightman, Chris O’hare, Josh Kerr and Neil Gourley are not only matching those profiles but are rewriting the Scottish all-time record for the event,” said Johnston.
“Chris was the first of the new quartet to push his way to the top of the 1,500m rankings, improving the national record to 3.33.61 in 2017 and then to 3.32.11 the following year.
“Jake’s improvement really is impressive over the last few years. However, his Scottish rivalsarechasinghimhardand Josh Kerr has moved to third onthescottishall-timelistwith 3.32.52lastyearandhaslooked superb in his races in the US this summer. Meanwhile, Neil has impressed with his racing skills and excelled at being in the right place at the right time in the tactical battles.”
Wightman looks in the mood to make up for lost time after the Covid-19-enforced shutdown. It will be intriguing to see if he, or indeed any of his Scottish rivals in the 1,500m, have what it takes to chase down Farah’s British record.