compiled by Jim Rorick as of January 01, 2024
switch to men’s best non-final marks
| Best Non-Final Marks (all rounds) | |||
| 100 | 10.62 | Florence Griffith Joyner (US) | Olympic Games 88 |
| 10.49w | Griffith Joyner | Olympic Trials 88 | |
| 200 | 21.56 | Florence Griffith Joyner (US) | Olympic Games 88 |
| 400 | 49.11 | Olga Nazarova (Soviet Union) | Olympic Games 88 |
| 800 | 1:56.17 | Janeth Jepkosgei (Kenya) | World Championships 07 |
| 1500 | 3:55.14 | Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) | World Championships 23 |
| 3000 | 8:42.32 | Marie-Pierre Duros (France) | Olympic Games 92 |
| Steeple | 9:01.54 | Norah Jeruto (Kazakhstan) | World Championships 22 |
| 5000 | 14:32.29 | Sifan Hassan (Netherlands) | World Championships 23 |
| 10,000 | 31:35.90 | Derartu Tulu (Ethiopia) | Olympic Games 96 |
| 100 Hurdles | 12.12 | Tobi Amusan (Nigeria) | World Championships 22 |
| 400 Hurdles | 52.17 | Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (US) | World Championships 22 |
| 4 x 100 | 41.52 | United States | World Championships 97 |
| 4 x 400 | 3:20.32 | Russia | World Championships 05 |
| Field Events | |||
| High Jump | 1.96 | 6-5i | 8 athletes | World Indoor 04 |
| 1.96 | 6-5i | 6 athletes | World Indoor 06 | |
| 1.96 | 6-5i | 6 athletes | World Indoor 08 | |
| 1.96 | 6-5 | Svetlana Radzivil (Uzbekistan) | Olympic Games 12 | |
| Pole Vault | 4.65 | 15-3 | 12 athletes | World Championships 23 |
| Long Jump | 7.22 | 23-8¼ | Jackie Joyner-Kersee (US) | Olympic Trials 88 |
| Triple Jump | 15.32 | 50-3¼ | Piyí Devetzí (Greece) | Olympic Games 04 |
| Shot | 20.69 | 67-11¾ | Astrid Kumbernuss (Germany) | World Championships 97 |
| Discus | 70.01 | 229-8 | Valarie Allman (US) | Olympic Trials 21 |
| Hammer | 77.10 | 252-11 | DeAnna Price (US) | Olympic Trials 21 |
| 77.10 | 252-11 | Hanna Skydan (Azerbaijan) | World Championships 23 | |
| Javelin | 69.09 | 226-8 | Mariya Abakumova (Russia) | World Championships 13 |
| Best In 1st Of 4 Rounds | |||
| 100 | 10.88 | Florence Griffith-Joyner (US) | Olympic Games 88 |
| 10.60w | Griffith-Joyner | Olympic Trials 88 | |
| 200 | 21.96 | Griffith-Joyner | Olympic Trials 88 |
| 400 | 50.66 | Kendra Mackey (US) | Olympic Trials 92 |
| 100 Hurdles | 12.62 | Gail Devers (US) | Olympic Games 00 |
| Best In 1st Of 3 Remaining Rounds (a heat or a quarter) | |||
| 100 | 10.62 | Florence Griffith-Joyner (US) | Olympic Games 88 |
| 10.49w | Griffith-Joyner | Olympic Trials 88 | |
| 200 | 21.76 | Griffith-Joyner | Olympic Games 88 |
| 21.61w | Sha’Carri Richardson (US) | USATF 23 | |
| 400 | 49.90 | Marileidy Paulino (Dominican Republic) | World Championships 23 |
| 800 | 1:57.72i | Maria Mutola (Mozambique) | World Indoor 04 |
| 1500 | 4:00.87 | Nelly Chepchirchir (Kenya) | World Championships 23 |
| 100 Hurdles | 12.24 | Keni Harrison (US) | World Championships 23 |
| 400 Hurdles | 53.39 | Femke Bol (Netherlands) | World Championships 23 |
| 4 x 100 | 42.39 | United States | Olympic Games 88 |
| Best In 1st Of 2 Remaining Rounds (a heat or a semi) | |||
| 100 | 10.70 | Florence Griffith-Joyner (US) | Olympic Trials 88 |
| 10.70w | Griffith-Joyner | Olympic Games 88 | |
| 200 | 21.56 | Griffith-Joyner | Olympic Games 88 |
| 400 | 49.11 | Olga Nazarova (Soviet Union) | Olympic Games 88 |
| 800 | 1:56.17 | Janeth Jepkosgei (Kenya) | World Championships 07 |
| 1500 | 3:55.14 | Faith Kipyegon (Kenya) | World Championships 23 |
| 3000 | 8:42.32 | Marie-Pierre Duros (France) | Olympic Games 92 |
| Steeple | 9:01.54 | Norah Jeruto (Kazakhstan) | World Championships 22 |
| 5000 | 14:45.35 | Edith Masai (Kenya) | World Championships 03 |
| 10,000 | 31:35.90 | Derartu Tulu (Ethiopia) | Olympic Games 96 |
| 100 Hurdles | 12.12 | Tobi Amusan (Nigeria) | World Championships 22 |
| 400 Hurdles | 52.17 | Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (US) | World Championships 22 |
| 4 x 100 | 41.52 | United States | World Championships 97 |
| 4 x 400 | 3:20.32 | Russia | World Championships 05 |