The distance medley relay (DMR) is an athletic event in which four athletes compete as part of a relay. With its inclusion in the IAAF World Relays program, the IAAF announced on May 1, 2015 that the event would be an official world record event.[1]

Unlike most track relays, each member of the team runs a different distance. A distance medley relay is made up of a 1200-meter leg (three laps on a standard 400 meter track), a 400-meter leg (one lap), an 800-meter leg (two laps), and a 1600-meter leg (four laps) in that order. The total distance run is 4000 meters, or nearly 2.5 miles. Aside from the 400 meter segment, which is a sprint, all legs are a middle distance run. Prior to going metric, the distance medley relay consisted of a 440-yard leg, an 880-yard leg, a 1320-yard leg and a one-mile leg. The total distance for the old distance medley relay was 4400 yards and the total distance for the current metric distance medley relay is 4374.45 yards - slightly over 25 yards shorter than the old race.

World best

Men

The United States currently holds world record in the men's DMR with a time of 9:15.50, set on May 3, 2015. This was set during the 2015 IAAF World Relays at Thomas Robinson Stadium, located in Nassau, Bahamas. The team consisted of Kyle Merber 2:53.56 (1200m), Brycen Spratling 45.95 (400m), Brandon Johnson 1:44.75 (800m), and Ben Blankenship 3:51.24 (1600m). They shaved off 0.06s from Kenya's previous world record time set in 2006.

The Kenyan team of 2006 ran the DMR in 9:15.56, currently the second fastest time ever run. At the time of the IAAF announcement of world record status, this mark became the ratified world record.[1] Elkanah Angwenyi in 2:50.8 (1,200 meters), Thomas Musembi in 45.8 (400), Alfred Yego in 1:46.2 (800) and Alex Kipchirchir in 3:52.8 (1,600). This mark was set on April 29, 2006, at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Oklahoma State Track and Field team of Fouad Messaoudi in 2:49.49 (1,200 meters), DJ McArthur in 46.82 (400), Hafez Mahadi in 1:47.27 (800), and Ryan Schoppe in 3:52.84 (1,600) currently hold the indoor world best in a time of 9:16.40. The mark was set on February 17, 2023 at the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville, Arkansas.[2]

Women

At the same 2015 IAAF World Relays, the women's world record was set by the American team of Treniere Moser 3:18.38 (1200m), Sanya Richards-Ross (50.12) (400m), Ajee' Wilson 2:00.08 (800m), and Shannon Rowbury 4:27.92 (1600m) running 10:36.50. They beat the outdoor record of 10:48.38 set by a team from Villanova University of Kathy Franey (1200m), Michelle Bennett (400m), Celeste Halliday (800m), and Vicki Huber (1600m) at the Penn Relays in April 1988 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 27 years earlier.

The United States women's team of Sarah Brown, Mahagony Jones, Megan Krumpoch, and Brenda Martinez set the first indoor world record for the event with a time of 10:42.57 at New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in 2015.[3] At the time of the IAAF announcement, this time, superior to the best time outdoors, became the ratified world record[1] even though it was set on an indoor banked track.

On April 15, 2022 an American team consisting of Heather MacLean, Kendall Ellis, Roisin Willis and Elle Purrier St. Pierre set the current best indoor time of 10:33.85 at The TRACK in Boston.[4] Nevertheless the distance medley relay is only a world record discipline outdoors it is a subject to usual ratification procedure to become an outright world record because their time bettered the outdoor mark of 10:36.50.[5]

All-time top 25

Men

Rank Time Team Athletes Date Place Ref
1 9:15.50  USA Kyle Merber, Brycen Spratling, Brandon Johnson, Ben Blankenship 3 May 2015 Nassau
2 9:15.56  Kenya Elkanah Angwenyi (2:50.8), Thomas Musembi (45.8), Alfred Yego (1:46.2), Alex Kipchirchir (3:52.8) 29 April 2006 Philadelphia
3 9:15.63  USA Chris Lukezic (2:51.7), James Carter (45.6), Khadevis Robinson (1:44.5), Bernard Lagat (3:53.8) 29 April 2006 Philadelphia
4 9:16.34  Ethiopia Abiyote Abinet (2:53.5), Bereket Desta (46.0), Mohammed Aman (1:44.0), Aman Wote (3:52.8) 27 April 2013 Philadelphia
5 9:16.40i Oklahoma State University Morocco Fouad Messaoudi (2:49.49),United States DeJuana McArthur (46.82), Qatar Hafez Mahadi (1:47.27),United States Ryan Schoppe (3:52.84) 17 February 2023 Fayetteville [6]
6 9:16.65i University of Washington United States Joe Waskom (2:49.41),United States Daniel Gaik (46.37),United States Cass Elliott (1:47.42),Canada Kieran Lumb (3:53.46) 17 February 2023 Fayetteville [6]
7 9:17.01  Kenya Anthony Chemut (2:51.6), Kennedy Chepsiror (47.1), Timothy Kitum (1:45.4), Caleb Ndiku (3:52.9) 27 April 2013 Philadelphia
8 9:17.20  Kenya Abednego Chesebe Miti, Alphas Leken Kishoyian, Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich, Timothy Cheruiyot 3 May 2015 Nassau
9 9:17.48  Morocco Mohammed Moustaoui (2:48.54), Marouan Maadadi (46.36), Mohammed Laalou (1:49.50), Amine Laalou (3:53.08) 30 April 2011 Philadelphia
10 9:17.56  Australia Ryan Gregson (2:48.66), Sean Wroe (45.95), Lachlan Renshaw (1:46.29), Jeff Riseley (3:56.66) 30 April 2011 Philadelphia
11 9:18.09  USA Bernard Lagat (2:48.29), Michael Tinsley (46.13), Duane Solomon (1:46.31), Russell Brown (3:57.36) 30 April 2011 Philadelphia
12 9:18.21 United States USA Red Andrew Wheating (2:52.2), Quentin Summers (44.8), Duane Solomon (1:45.0), David Torrence (3:56.2) 27 April 2013 Philadelphia
13 9:18.81i United States University of Washington Joe Waskom (2:51.34), Daniel Gaik (46.37), Nathan Green (1:46.57), Luke Houser (3:54.54) 16 February 2024 Fayetteville [7]
14 9:18.95i University of Virginia 16 February 2024 Fayetteville [8]
15 9:19.31 United States USA Blue Tyler Mulder (2:52.8), David Neville (46.7), Khadevis Robinson (1:44.9), Leo Manzano (3:54.9) 28 April 2012 Philadelphia
16 9:19.33 United States USA Blue Matthew Centrowitz (2:53.4), Kind Butler (45.5), Charles Jock (1:45.7), Bernard Lagat (3:54.8) 27 April 2013 Philadelphia
17 9:19.42i University of Oregon United States Cole Hocker (2:49.89), Dominican Republic Luis Peralta (47.29), Australia Charlie Hunter (1:47.65), United States Cooper Teare (3:54.61) 29 January 2021 Fayetteville [9]
18 9:19.74i Oklahoma State University 16 February 2024 Fayetteville [10]
19 9:19.88 United States USA Red Russell Brown (2:52.9), Michael Tinsley (45.8), Nick Symmonds (1:44.0), Bernard Lagat (3:57.2) 28 April 2012 Philadelphia
20 9:19.93i  USA Matthew Centrowitz (2:49.47), Mike Berry (46.39), Erik Sowinski (1:47.60), Pat Casey (3:56.47) 31 January 2015 New York City
21 9:19.98i University of Oregon United States Cole Hocker (2:52.73), Jamaica Xavier Nairne (47.58), Australia Charlie Hunter (1:46.70), United States Cooper Teare (3:52.99) 12 March 2021 Fayetteville [11]
22 9:20.09i University of Arkansas 16 February 2024 Fayetteville [12]
23 9:20.10 United States University of Arkansas Reuben Reina (2:53.9), Charles Williams (46.40), Robert Bradley (1:46.00), Joe Falcon (3:53.80) 28 April 1989 Philadelphia
24 9:20.24  USA David Torrence (2:48.65), Kenneth Ferguson (47.30), Nick Symmonds (1:49.00), Leo Manzano (3:55.29) 30 April 2011 Philadelphia
25 9:20.75i University of Mississippi United States Everett Smulders (2:53.32), United States Elijah Dryer (46.80), Puerto Rico John Rivera (1:47.35), Spain Mario García Romo (3:53.28) 12 March 2021 Fayetteville [11]

Women

Rank Time Team Athletes Date Place Ref
1 10:33.85i  New Balance Heather MacLean (3:14.92), Kendall Ellis (52.04), Roisin Willis (2:03.30), Elle Purrier St. Pierre (4:23.55) 15 April 2022 Boston [13]
2 10:36.50  United States Treniere Moser, Sanya Richards-Ross, Ajeé Wilson, Shannon Rowbury 2 May 2015 Nassau
3 10:39.91i  Nike Union Athletic Club Ella Donaghu, Raevyn Rogers, Sinclaire Johnson, Shannon Osika 11 February 2022 Spokane [14][15]
4 10:40.31i  United States Emma Coburn, Sydney McLaughlin, Brenda Martinez, Jenny Simpson 28 January 2017 Boston [16]
5 10:42.57i  New Balance Sarah Brown, Mahogany Jones, Megan Krumpoch, Brenda Martinez 7 February 2015 Boston
6 10:42.79i  New York All-Stars Stephanie Charnigo, Katie Hoaldridge, Latavia Thomas, Nicole Tully 7 February 2015 Boston
7 10:43.35  Kenya Selah Jepleting Busienei, Joy Nakhumicha Sakari, Sylivia Chematui Chesebe, Virginia Nyambura Nganga 2 May 2015 Nassau
8 10:43.39i University of Washington Chloe Foerster (3:15.29), Anna Terrell (54.74), Marlena Preigh (2:03.34), Australia Carley Thomas (4:30.02) 16 February 2024 Boston [17]
9 10:44.07i Providence College Shannon Flockhart, Jillian Fenerty, Alex O'Neill, Kimberley May 16 February 2024 Boston [18]
10 10:44.67i Brigham Young University Sadie Sargent, Sami Oblad, Meghan Hunter, Riley Chamberlain 16 February 2024 Boston [19]
11 10:45.32  Poland Katarzyna Broniatowska, Monika Szczęsna, Angelika Cichocka, Sofia Ennaoui 2 May 2015 Nassau
12 10:46.62i University of Washington Australia Sophie O'Sullivan (3:16.24),United States Marlena Preigh (54.21), Australia Carley Thomas (2:01.93),United States Anna Gibson (4:34.26) 3 February 2023 Boston [20]
13 10:46.94  Australia Melissa Duncan, Samantha Lind, Brittany McGowan, Heidi See 2 May 2015 Nassau
14 10:47.03i Stanford University Lucy Jenks, Taylor James, Roisin Willis, Juliette Whittaker 16 February 2024 Boston [21]
15 10:47.50i University of Oregon 26 January 2024 Fayetteville [22]
16 10:48.38 United States Villanova University Kathy Franey (3:20.9), Michelle Bennett (52.9), Celeste Halliday (2:04.7), Vicki Huber (4:29.9) 28 April 1988 Philadelphia
17 10:48.77i University of Oregon New Zealand Lilli Burdon (3:20.56), United States Ashante Horsley (53.77), United States Raevyn Rogers (2:03.53), United States Katie Rainsberger (4:30.93) 27 January 2017 New York City
18 10:49.05i Penn State University Madaline Ullom, Zoey Goldstein, Hayley Kitching, Kileigh Kane 16 February 2024 Boston [23]
19 10:49.39i New Balance Europe Netherlands Lisanne de Witte, Spain Esther Guerrero , Sweden Anna Silvander, United Kingdom Sarah McDonald 28 January 2017 Boston [24]
20 10:49.41i University of Arkansas 26 January 2024 Fayetteville [25]
21 10:49.58 University of Michigan United States Danielle Tauro (3:22.2), United States Serita Williams (53.4), United States Geena Gall (2:02.1), Canada Nicole Edwards 4:31.9 24 April 2008 Philadelphia
22 10:49.81 Villanova University Republic of Ireland Sonia O'Sullivan (3:18.7), Jamaica Michelle Bennett (52.0), United States Michele Torelli (2:06.3), United StatesKathy Franey (4:32.8) 28 April 1990 Philadelphia
23 10:49.87i Duke University United States Dalia Frias,United States Megan McGinnis,United States Lauren Tolbert,Netherlands Amina Maatoug 23 February 2023 Louisville [26]
24 10:50.00i Boston College Molly Hudson, Sydney Segalla, Aoife Dunne, Natalie Millerova 16 February 2024 Boston [27]
25 10:50.22 United States Brigham Young University Lauren Ellsworth (3:18.22), Alena Ellsworth (53.63), Claire Seymour (2:05.95), Courtney Wayment (4:32.39) 29 April 2022 Philadelphia [28]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "$1.4million in prize money on offer at IAAF/BTC World Relays, Bahamas 2015". Iaaf.org. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Men's Distance Medley Relay Results" (PDF). flashresults.com. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  3. ^ Parker Morse (8 February 2015). "Willis mile win leads the string of indoor superlatives in Boston". IAAF. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  4. ^ Stephanie Hoppe (16 April 2022). "The Women's Indoor Distance Medley Relay Record Was Just Set By A Star-Studded Team". womensrunning.com. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  5. ^ "US quartet breaks distance medley relay world record in Boston". World Athletics. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Distance Medley Relay Results". flashresults.com. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  7. ^ "DMR Dominance: Women + Men Run NCAA, U.S. Indoor Records". gohuskies.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  8. ^ "DMR Results" (PDF). flashresults.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Men's Distance Medley Relay Results" (PDF). flashresults.com. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  10. ^ "DMR Results" (PDF). flashresults.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Results: Men DMR (Final)". Flash Results. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  12. ^ "DMR Results" (PDF). flashresults.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  13. ^ Stephanie Hoppe (16 April 2022). "The Women's Indoor Distance Medley Relay Record Was Just Set By A Star-Studded Team". womensrunning.com. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Results for 2022 Lilac Grand Prix Women's Distance Medley Relay". live.athletictiming.net. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  15. ^ "Nike Union Athletics Club members set women's DMR world record at Lilac Grand Prix in the Podium | The Spokesman-Review". www.spokesman.com. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
  16. ^ "Full Results 2017 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix". letsrun.com. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  17. ^ "DMR Dominance: Women + Men Run NCAA, U.S. Indoor Records". gohuskies.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  18. ^ "DMR Results". lancertiming.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  19. ^ "DMR Results". lancertiming.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  20. ^ "2023 Bruce Lehane Scarlet and White Invitational Womens 4000 Distance Medley Relay Splits & Results". Lancer Timing. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  21. ^ "DMR Results". lancertiming.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  22. ^ "DMR Results" (PDF). flashresults.com. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  23. ^ "DMR Results". lancertiming.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Full Results 2017 New Balance Indoor Grand Prix". letsrun.com. 28 January 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  25. ^ "DMR Results" (PDF). flashresults.com. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  26. ^ "DMR Results" (PDF). flashresults.com. 23 February 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  27. ^ "DMR Results". lancertiming.com. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  28. ^ "WOMEN'S DMR TEAM TAKES FIRST, WINS FIRST WHEEL AT PENN RELAYS". byucougars.com. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
Category