The 3000 metres steeplechase has been held as an event at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in the men's division since 1983 and in the women's division since 2005. It can be noted for a series of lengthy winning streaks in the men's division, where Kenyan born athletes have won every championship between 1991 and 2019. Moses Kiptanui won three in a row between 1987 and 1995, Saif Saaeed Shaheen, born Steven Cherono, won two in 2003 and 2005. The longest winning streak in any event in the World Championships, is four in a row by Ezekiel Kemboi, between 2009 and 2015. More remarkably, Kemboi prefaced that streak with a streak of three silver medals between 2003 and 200. 2007 champion Brimin Kipruto has a complete set of medals, including two bronze. Kenya has also fared well in the women's division winning 9 of the 21 medals issued to date. 2013 women's champion Milcah Chemos Cheywa also has a complete set of medals.

Yuliya Mikhailovna Zaripova is a Russian former disgraced middle-distance runner who specialised in the 3000 metres steeplechase event.