The influence of running wide on the bend on finishing times and positions in men’s and women’s 800 m finals at major global championships

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of running wide on bends regarding intermediate
changes of position, dispersion of athletes, and speed relative to season best (SB) between medalists and
non-medalists in men’s and women’s 800 m championship finals. Extra distance covered on bends was
measured using official videos. The total distance run was calculated and described as the minimum calculable
distance. Theoretical mean speeds, theoretical finishing times and theoretical finishing positions were
calculated. In addition, intermediate and total changes of position (on bends and straights) and dispersion
between athletes in each 100-m segment were calculated. Finishing times and segment times were calculated
relative to SB. Theoretical finishing times were faster than official finishing times (p<.001). Finishing
positions were influenced by extra distance covered. Medalists displayed a higher number of positive changes
of intermediate positions than non-medalists (p<.001), occurring mainly on the straights (p=.003) and were
greatest between 500 and 600 m (p=.003), without differences between groups in total extra distance and
in extra distance covered on each bend. Medalists displayed higher total speeds relative to SB (p=.042) and
over the 500-600 m segment onwards (p<.05), increasing the dispersion from this segment onwards (p<.001).
These findings indicate that running the shortest distance on the bends and being able to accelerate during
the last 300 m of the race positively influence finishing position in major championships 800 m finals.