In the mid-1980s, Ingrid dominated the world long-distance scene. In 1986, on her home turf in Oslo, she had completely shattered her own world record of 10,000 meters. A couple of years earlier, she had become the first woman to run 5000 meters under 15 minutes – but she had lost that record to Zola Budd in 1985 in a race where Inger herself finished second. Now her sights were clearly set on reclaiming the record.
Competitions at Stockholm’s historic stadium on August 5 were set for a record attempt. The day before, the heat hit and the temperature was recorded as one of the highest for the entire summer. Anything but favorable for long-distance running. But the weather changed – much cooler weather on race day and also some refreshing rain, good conditions! The air felt oxygenated. But there were only a couple of thousand spectators in the stands – the rain probably scared away potential spectators. Anette Westerberg and Dutchwoman Elly van Hulst were to provide the traction for the first two kilometers.
The first kilometer was passed in 2.53,0 – almost a little too fast with lap times under 70 seconds. Van Hulst pulled the second kilometer which was completed in 2.55,0, the world record in obvious danger. But now Ingrid had to take over the pacing herself. The lap times were steadily around 71 seconds before she finished with a clear speed increase the last 1.5 laps. 70.1 in lap time up to 4800 meters after which she finished with a lightning 32.4 seconds in the last 200 meters. The world record was hers again! When the finish photo was read, the official time was 14.37,33 – a new world record almost 11 seconds below Budd’s previous record!
The season was completed less than a month later at the European Championships in Stuttgart, where Ingrid focused on the 10000 meters, which she won in absolutely superb style. She now held the world records for both the 5000 and 10000 meters and also the fastest time in the marathon, where official records had not yet been set. And it would be well into the 1990s before anyone succeeded in undercutting any of the Norwegian’s extraordinary long-distance results!
