According to Gerry Lindgren, the men's 4 mile world record is 16:08, set by Gerry Lindgren in 1968 just prior to the Olympics. He apparently ran the time at Mt. Sac, claiming that he averaged 4:02 per mile over the hilly course. An unbelievable time, literally, considering he would have set the 3000 meter, 2 mile, 3 mile, and 5000 meter world records (set on a track, mind you) along the way. The real answer to the question is presumably the time Bekele recorded while en route to his 10000 meter world record of 26:17. According to a pace calculator, his time at 4 miles was roughly 16:55.
As of now, the current world record holder for the men's 4-mile run is Joshua Cheptegei from Uganda. He set the record on October 7, 2020, in a time of 18 minutes and 53 seconds.
Mark Spitz
1966 Jim Ryun Track and field Mile world record
ASHE
No. Danyon Loader of New Zealand won gold with a time of 1:47.63 and the World Record was 1:46.69 by Giorgio Lamberti of Italy set in 1989.
Spain won 1-0 in overtime.
Uraguay
Steve Backley won bronze at the 1992 Games in Barcelona and silver at the 1996 Games in Atlanta and the 2000 Games in Sydney.
New Zealand
Usain Bolt from Jamaica, 19.30s
It was Uruguay in 1930.
Uruguay
Usain Bolt (JAM) in 9.63s and Olympic record.