Which track and field event's world record has stood for the longest time as of 2019?

Jarmila Kratochvilova of Czechoslovakia ran the 800 metres in a time of 1min 53.28 sec. at the World Championships in Munich in July 1983.

This is the longest-standing track and field record in athletics. Suspicions were raised that she was aided by performance-enhancing drugs, but nothing was proven, and her record stands.

Only one athlete, Pamela Jelimo of Kenya has come within a second of Kratochvílová’s mark since it was set. On 18th August 2008, Jelimo won the gold medal in the 800 metres at the Beijing Olympics in a time of 1:54.87.

On 6th October 1985 East German athlete Marita Koch ran the 400 metres in a world record time of 47.6 seconds. Koch's record was set at the World Cup in Canberra, Australia and still stands. Suspicions were raised that she also was aided by performance-enhancing drugs.

The long jump world record of 8.95 metres was set by Mike Powell (USA) in the World Championships in Tokyo on the 30th Aug 1991. He broke Bob Beamon’s almost 23-year-old long jump world record by 5 cm (2 inches), leaping 8.95 m (29 ft 4 1⁄4 in). Powell’s world record, since August 1991, still stands, making Powell the fourth person since 1900 to hold the long jump world record for over 20 years.

The discus throw world record of 74.08 m (243ft) was set by Jürgen Schult (GDR) in Neubrandenburg on the 6th Jun 1986. He represented East Germany in the 1988 Olympics in the discus throw, where he won the gold medal. This record still stands.