The 2026 track and field season is barely underway, yet the record books are already being rewritten at every level of the sport. From world records by established stars to jaw-dropping performances from collegiate athletes and teenagers, the opening weeks of the year have delivered a historic wave of breakthroughs.

• The World Indoor Tour and Qualifying For Worlds
• Roisin Willis Sets 800m American Record
• Femke Bol Wins Women's 400mH at Silesia Diamond League

Below is a complete, chronological look at every major world, American, collegiate, and age-group record broken so far in 2026, along with the performances that are shaping what could become one of the fastest years in track and field history.

World Records Broken in 2026

The first world records of 2026 fell before the end of January, setting the tone for what’s to come.

Men’s 2000m World Record - Hobbs Kessler

On January 24, 2026, Hobbs Kessler delivered a masterclass at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, breaking the men’s indoor 2000m world record with a time of 4:48.79. The performance highlighted Kessler’s exceptional range and efficiency, reaffirming his place among the sport’s most versatile middle-distance runners.

Men’s 800m World Record - Josh Hoey

Just hours later at the same meet, Josh Hoey stunned the track world by running 1:42.50 in the 800m, setting a new indoor world record. The race immediately entered the conversation as one of the greatest two-lap performances ever produced indoors.

American Records Broken in 2026

Women’s Indoor 800m American Record - Roisin Willis

At the BU Terrier Classic on January 30, 2026, Roisin Willis broke the American indoor 800m record with a time of 1:57.97. The run marked a major milestone in Willis’ career and placed her among an elite group of women to break the 1:58 barrier indoors.

Collegiate Records Broken in 2026

The collegiate ranks have produced some of the most consistent record-breaking performances of the season so far.

Women’s Collegiate Records

Women’s 600m — Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (Arkansas)

Sanu Jallow-Lockhart opened 2026 by setting a new collegiate record in the 600m, running 1:24.19 at the Arkansas Invitational on January 16. The performance reinforced Arkansas’ continued dominance in women’s middle-distance events.

Women’s 3000m — Doris Lemngole (Alabama)

At the Millrose Games on February 1, Doris Lemngole ran 8:31.39 to break the collegiate indoor 3000m record. Her controlled early pace and powerful finish made the performance one of the most impressive distance runs by an NCAA athlete in recent memory.

Men’s Collegiate Records

Men’s 2-Mile — Habtom Samuel (New Mexico)

Habtom Samuel produced one of the defining performances of the 2026 season at the Millrose Games, running 8:11.47 to break the collegiate indoor 2-mile record. The race placed Samuel among the top distance runners in collegiate history.

Men’s 800m — Colin Sahlman (Northern Arizona)

Also at Millrose, Colin Sahlman ran 1:44.70 in the 800m, setting a new collegiate record. The time further demonstrated the growing depth and speed of middle-distance running at the NCAA level.

U20 World Records Broken in 2026

The next generation has already made its presence felt with a flurry of age-group world records.

Men’s U20 600m World Record - Cooper Lutkenhaus

On February 1 at the Millrose Games, Cooper Lutkenhaus ran 1:14.15, breaking the U20 indoor 600m world record in commanding fashion.

Men’s U20 800m World Record - Cooper Lutkenhaus

Lutkenhaus’ record streak began earlier in the season when he ran 1:45.23 at the Dr. Sander Columbia Scorcher Invitational on January 24, setting a new U20 indoor 800m world record.

Men’s U20 400m World Record - Jonathan Simms (Georgia)

Jonathan Simms clocked 44.62 at the Clemson Invitational in January, establishing a new U20 indoor world record in the 400m and redefining expectations for junior-aged sprinters.

Women’s U20 1500m World Record - Saron Berhe

On February 3, 2026, Ethiopia’s Saron Berhe broke the U20 indoor 1500m world record, running 4:01.23 at the Czech Indoor Gala in Ostrava. The performance marked one of the fastest age-group distance runs ever recorded.

Men’s U20 Indoor Mile World Record - Cameron Myers

Cameron Myers of Australia ran 3:53.12 in New York City in early 2026, setting a new U20 indoor mile world record and establishing himself as one of the premier young talents in global middle-distance running.

U18 World Records Broken in 2026

Men’s U18 Mile World Record - Sam Ruthe

Sam Ruthe delivered one of the most astonishing performances of the year at the BU Terrier Classic, running 3:48.88 to break the U18 mile world record. The time blurred the line between age-group and elite competition and immediately became one of the defining runs of the 2026 season.

What the Early 2026 Records Tell Us

With multiple world records, collegiate benchmarks, and age-group standards already falling, the early months of 2026 suggest the sport is entering a rare period of convergence — elite talent, aggressive racing, and ideal competitive environments.

If the current pace continues, 2026 won’t simply be remembered for isolated performances, but as a year that fundamentally reshaped expectations across multiple generations of track and field.

And the season is still young.

FloTrack Archived Footage

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloTrack subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

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