The Big Picture
Once a staple of Olympic and World Championship track meets, the 10,000m race is now fighting for survival. While legends like Haile Gebrselassie and Mo Farah once turned the event into must-watch spectacle, the race has largely disappeared from high-profile meets.
Now, two former Olympians, Des Linden and Kara Goucher, are taking action. The pair recently announced the Save the 10,000 with Des & Kara, an event aimed at preserving the distance’s competitive integrity in the U.S. But as track and field increasingly pivots toward more spectator-friendly formats, the question remains: Can the 10,000m remain relevant?
Why It Matters
The 10,000m is one of the purest tests of endurance on the track, yet it has been steadily marginalized. Save for special events, the race has been removed from the Diamond League circuit, and new initiatives like the Grand Slam Track League have purposefully excluded it. World Athletics is also shifting toward compact, TV-friendly event windows, which often leave the 10,000m off the schedule.
If this trend continues, young distance runners may have fewer opportunities to compete at the highest level. Without a strong presence in major meets, the event could wither, forcing athletes to focus on shorter track events or move straight to the roads.
The 10,000m has long operated as a vital pipeline for emerging distance talents to transition from the track to the road. Historically, many elite marathoners honed their skills in the 10,000m before moving up in distance.
Mo Farah secured gold medals in both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics before winning the 2018 Chicago Marathon with a European record time of 2:05:11.
Similarly, Kenenisa Bekele, who dominated the 10,000m with multiple world titles and Olympic golds, transitioned successfully to the marathon, running the second-fastest time in history (2:01:41) at the 2019 Berlin Marathon.
Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time, built his foundation on the track, regularly competing in the 10,000m, before moving up in distance.
Sifan Hassan, a dominant force in middle and long-distance track events, made a stunning marathon debut by winning the 2023 London Marathon in 2:18:33 after years of excelling in the 10,000m.
Linden and Goucher’s Save the 10,000 with Des & Kara is set for May 3, 2025, at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. The event will feature two races—one for men and one for women—each capped at 30 participants. A $25,000 prize purse, with $5,000 awarded to each winner, is meant to further incentivize high-caliber competition.
Entry into the event will be automatic for athletes with personal bests of at least 28:30 (men) and 33:30 (women), with remaining spots filled on a descending-order basis.
This initiative follows a similar model to the UK’s Night of the 10,000m PBs, which gained popularity by combining elite racing with a fan-friendly atmosphere. That event, however, has been put on hold for 2025, raising concerns about whether grassroots efforts can sustain the distance long-term.
Zoom In: The Grand Slam Track League’s Exclusion
When Michael Johnson announced the creation of the Grand Slam Track League, he made a deliberate choice: the 10,000m would not be included. Johnson, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and a strong advocate for making track and field more exciting for fans, has argued that the race is simply too long to hold modern audiences’ attention.
The Grand Slam’s omission of the 10,000m is another sign that track and field is prioritizing fast-paced action. The league will feature a condensed schedule designed to keep fans engaged from start to finish—something the 25-lap race doesn’t easily fit into.
What They’re Saying
- “There are only a couple of high-caliber 10,000s available each year in this country. If Americans are going to remain motivated and competitive, they need more chances to run.” – Des Linden
- “Track and field needs to evolve to survive. If fans aren’t tuning in, changes have to be made.” – Michael Johnson
- “The 10,000m is an essential part of distance running history, and it deserves its place on the track.” – Kara Goucher
Between the Lines: The World Athletics Factor
The recent decision by World Athletics to revamp its championship event format further highlights the problem. The governing body has been testing shorter, more tightly scheduled competition formats, and long-distance races like the 10,000m are often the first to be cut.
One proposal under consideration is a three-hour competition window that maximizes action-packed races. With the 10,000m often running beyond 27-30 minutes, it doesn’t fit the blueprint for this new model.
By the Numbers
- 2010: The Diamond League was established without the 10,000m as a regular event.
- 27:51.42/31:27.18: The men’s and women’s world championship winning times in 2023—effectively 30 minutes of racing.
- 0: The number of 10,000m races included in the Grand Slam Track League.
The Bottom Line
Linden and Goucher’s effort to revive the 10,000m is admirable, but the road ahead is uncertain. The race faces significant structural challenges, from shifting priorities at the sport’s highest levels to dwindling meet opportunities.
If the 10,000m is to survive as a viable championship distance, it will need more than just grassroots support—it will require buy-in from the governing bodies and event organizers who dictate the future of track and field.
