Wilson Kipketer is widely regarded as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history, particularly in the 800 meters. He is especially famous for his multiple world records, including his incredible ability to run times under 1:44. Here's a detailed look at how many times he broke the 1:44 barrier in the 800 meters:

1. World Record Milestones

Kipketer is particularly noted for his dominance over the 800m distance in the 1990s. He set his first world record for the outdoor 800 meters in 1997, running 1:41.11 in Cologne, Germany(Wilson KIPKETER | Profile | World Athletics)(Wilson Kipketer - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi). This performance came shortly after he had already set two other 800m world records, including an indoor world record of 1:42.67 in Paris(Wilson KIPKETER | Profile | World Athletics).

Kipketer's outdoor record of 1:41.11 stood as the world record for many years and remains his personal best.

2. Breaking 1:44 Indoors

While Kipketer's 800m world record outdoor performance was iconic, his indoor feats were equally remarkable. He broke the 1:44 mark in the 800 meters multiple times in indoor competitions. Notably, his 1997 world indoor record of 1:42.67, set at the World Indoor Championships in Paris, is still unbeaten( European Athletics)(Wilson Kipketer - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi). This time remains more than a second faster than the next best, and is an enduring benchmark in the history of the event.

3. Additional Performances Under 1:44

Throughout his career, Kipketer ran several 800-meter times under the 1:44 mark, showcasing his consistent excellence in the event. However, the exact number of performances under this time is more difficult to pinpoint across all competitions. His most notable achievements include:

• 1:43.96 in 1997 (set in a heat of the World Indoor Championships, which was the first indoor 800m time ever to break 1:44)( European Athletics).
• 1:41.11 (outdoor world record in Cologne, 1997)(Wilson KIPKETER | Profile | World Athletics)(Wilson Kipketer - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi).
• 1:41.24 (another world record in Zurich, 1997)(Wilson Kipketer - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi).

These performances helped solidify Kipketer’s reputation, with his ability to consistently break the 1:44 barrier being a hallmark of his career. His dominance in the 800 meters, particularly from 1995 to 2000, included many performances that pushed the boundaries of middle-distance running.

4. Total Count of Breaking 1:44

Although the precise number of times Kipketer broke 1:44 in official races (not counting heats) is not readily available in public databases, it is known that he did so multiple times across both indoor and outdoor seasons, especially in the mid-1990s when he was in peak form. Key performances under 1:44 include:

• Indoor 800m World Record: 1:42.67 (Paris, 1997)
• Outdoor performances: 1:41.11, 1:41.24, and others during the 1997 season.

Conclusion

Wilson Kipketer's performances in the 800 meters remain legendary, with at least four performances under 1:44, and possibly more, depending on the specific competitions and conditions of the events. His world records, particularly his outdoor best of 1:41.11, are monumental achievements that have not been matched in over two decades(Wilson KIPKETER | Profile | World Athletics)(Wilson Kipketer - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi)( European Athletics).