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Introduced into the Olympics in 1988 The World Championships in 1987, The European Championships 1986, and The Commonwealth Games in 1986.
The record times for the championships are listed below along with the World record progression.
In the world record progression only records that have been ratified by the IAAF or are awaiting ratification have been used.
All other records that have not been ratified or have been removed for whatever reason have not been included.
* = Equalled world record
# = Hand timed
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| Tirunesh Dibaba | 29.54.66 |  | 15-8-2008 | Beijing |
| Berhane Adere | 30.04.18 | | 23-8-2003 | Paris |
| Paula Radcliffe | 30.01.09 |  | 6-8-2002 | Munich |
| Salina Kosgei | 31.27.83 |  | 30-7-2002 | Manchester |
