Today is Sunday, September 14th, 2025, and on this day in 1972, Finnish runner Lasse Viren broke the 5,000 meter world record in Helsinki with a time of 13:16.4, just 4 days after winning double Olympic gold in the 5 and 10,000 meters.

Today is Sunday, September 14th, 2025, and on this day in 1972, Finnish runner Lasse Viren broke the 5,000 meter world record in Helsinki with a time of 13:16.4, just 4 days after winning double Olympic gold in the 5 and 10,000 meters.

Today is Sunday, September 14th, 2025, and on this day in 1972, Finnish runner Lasse Viren broke the 5,000 meter world record in Helsinki with a time of 13:16.4, just 4 days after winning double Olympic gold in the 5 and 10,000 meters.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

September 14, 1972 - Lasse Viren sets new 5,000m world record

While there is no shortage of podcasts that focus on the mechanics of running, I was surprised to find very little that looks at the history of our sport. I created the daily podcast “Today In Running History” to fill this space. In eight minutes or less, listeners will learn the backstories and lasting impact of some of the biggest names and milestones in running history, plus some they might not know about yet. Like the sport itself, Today In Running History is for all of us, from passionate and facts-obsessed sports-history geeks to the most casual of newbies.

Share September 14, 1972 - Lasse Viren sets new 5,000m world record

Sign up to save your podcasts

September 14, 1972 - Lasse Viren sets new 5,000m world record

September 14, 1972 - Lasse Viren sets new 5,000m world record