V 10 N. 63 Ben Cross, Ian Holm R.I.P. and other stories

Ian Charleson and Ben Cross

Abrahams (Cross)  Training with his Coach Sam Mussabini Played by
Ian Holm, also recently departed.

August 21, 2020



Ben Cross Obituary from The Guardian

I just saw that the actor Ben Cross, age 71, died yesterday.  Cross was noted for playing Harold Abrahams, the British sprinter who won the 100 meters at the Paris Olympics in the the film  Chariots of Fire.    Ian Charleson who played Abrahams' rival  Eric Lydell, had died in 1986.  Both men were born into working class families and joined the acting field from a young age.  Interestingly the film Chariots of Fire was as much about the class rivalries  of early 20th century England. if not more than about sport and the Olympic Games.   Ian Holm who played Abrahams' coach Sam Mussabini also recently passed away.

One of the big scenes and issues in the film was totally made up.  Eric Liddell was portrayed as refusing to run the 100 meters on Sunday shortly before the event was to occur and thus giving Abrahams an open door to win the 100 if he could beat Charley Paddock and Jackson Scholz the two Americans.  Actually it was never an issue as the meet schedule had been set a year in advance and Lydell was never really considered for the hundred.  And that sometimes is how drama is created by a film scriptwriter when writing about actual events.

My other issue with the film was that the music was over dramatic and didn't fit with running.  Did you ever try to run even long distance with that theme song in your head.  It was just too slow even for LSD prone individuals.


And for a change of subject.   

My colleague Roy Mason got off his duff recently and sent in an idea for this blog.  It must be said that Roy is a bit more concerned with the safety of his home these days during the California wildfires, and I am sure we all wish him well and that he and all in that area get through the following days in a safe manner.

Roy sent me a note saying he had just seen a fantastic youtube piece covering the top ten all time performances in track and field.  This is of course in the opinion of the producers of the piece.  However as you go through the twelve minutes it takes to show those ten incredible performances, see if you can guess what the all time number one performance will be.  The producers use a percentage improvement stat that helps understand the immensity of some of these performances.

Here then is the link: Top Ten World Record Performances  Produced by TRP
I'm sure most of you will have one that you feel was left out, but that's show bizz.


And Lastly:

A new mile record for high school sophmores ( 4:01.34) was recently set in Florida by Rheinhardt Harrison.

Below is a list of all high school sub 4 minute milers and their sophmore times.  Thanks to Bruce Kriztler and Ricky Quintana for this information.

Last thing I'll send about Rheinhardt Harrison's 4:01.34 as soph record :)

Below is the list of sub 4 milers and their times as sophomores. Thank you to Jack Shepard of Track and Field and Chris Nickinson of Runnerspace.

The first time is their time for the mile at the end of high school and the year they ran it.

1. 3:53.43(2001) Alan Webb(South Lake, Reston, VA) 4:05.51 in ‘99

2. 3:55.3(1965) Jim Ryun(East, Wichita, KS) 4:07.8n in ‘63

3. 3:57.81(2016) Drew Hunter(Loudon Valley, Purcellville, VA) 4:09.49n in ‘14

4. 3:59.30(2017) Reed Brown(Carroll, Southlake, TX) 4:27.23i in 2015/4:16.33 1600m outdoor in ‘15

5. 3:59.38(2015) Matthew Maton(Summit, Bend, OR) 4:09.64 in ‘13

5. 3:59.38(2015) Grant Fisher(Grand Blanc, MI) 4:11.27 in ‘13

7. 3:59.4(1966)   Tim Danielson(Chula Vista, CA) soph time not found

8. 3:59.53(2016) Michael Slagowski (Rocky Mountain, Meridian, ID) 4:18.55 in ‘14

9. 3:59.54(2020) Leo Daschbach(Highland, Gilbert, AZ) 4:18.02 in ‘18

10. 3:59.71(2011)Lukas Verzbicas(Sandburg, Orland Park, IL) 4:04.38 in ‘10

11. 3:59.8(1967) Marty Liquori(Essex Catholic, Newark, NJ) 4:17 in '65

Jack Shepard of track and field news writes "We count records until August 31 and then start all over again.  Never too late for a record, though of course a finite limit on class records."