V 6 N. 12 African American Distance Runners

This great post came from Gary Corbitt's blog today.    We've added some photos and some bio information.

Celebrating Black History Month

African American Running History Project (1880 – 1979)

September 9, 1979 – Herman Atkins

Herm placed 5^th at Nike/Oregon Track Club Marathon in a time of 2:11:52.  The race was won by Tony Sandoval and Jeff Wells who finished in a tie 2:10:20. The race was held in Eugene.  Herm Atkins has held the distinction of being the fastest native born black American marathoner for 36 years. This is truly an amazing running history milestone.

September 23, 1978 - Alan Price – An American Centurion Legend

Alan qualified as an American Centurion for the first time at age 31. His time of 18:57:41 was a new American record for walking 100 miles.  Centurion is a club for which race walkers are eligible who have completed a distance of 100 miles within 24 hours.  Alan Price would go on to do this an amazing 23 times from 1978 to 1993.  Alan was considered America’s greatest ultra-distance race walker.  He passed away at age 68 in January 2015.

The First Ladies of African American Long Distance Running

Marilyn Bevans & Ella Willis

Marilyn Bevans

April 18, 1977 - Marilyn Bevans finished second to Miki Gorman at the Boston Marathon in a time of 2:51:12.  She would record her personal best marathon time of 2:49:56 in 1979 at Boston.  She was the first sub 3 hour, world class Africa American female runner achieving this at the 1975 NY Marathon.

Ella Willis

October 26, 1975 - Ella Willis wins the Detroit Free Press (Motor City) Marathon in 3:13:51 becoming the first African American female to win a marathon. She would go on to win this race four times with a personal best of 2:38:22 set in 1989. Her winning time in 1988 was the all-time fastest marathon ever by an African American female.  She held this distinction for an amazing 18 years.

                                           

April 22, 1975 -  Arthur “Art” Hall  (1947 – 2011)

Art Hall wins the Penn Relays Marathon in 2:27:32.  He would go on to record his personal marathon best of2:22:07 at the 1978 Boston Marathon.Many consider him to be the greatest long distance runner ever from Staten Island, New York.  A street in Staten Island is now named Art Hall Way to honor this legendary athlete and person who had a tremendous impact on people.

April 27, 1974 -  Denis Elton Cochran Fikes

Denis Fikes representing the University of Penn runs a 3:55.0 mile in the 1974 Penn Relays’ to place second to Tony Waldrop in the Ben Franklin Mile.  This performance was the fastest mile ever by an African American.  He would hold the distinction of being the fastest African American miler ever for an amazing 18 years.
Denis Fikes  Bio

May 25, 1973 - Tommy Fulton (1952 – 2013) - A Herculean Distance Odyssey

Tommy Fulton completed an incredible 51 hours; 8 Races, 15.5 miles of track competition at the NAIA Championships representing Texas Southern University.  This performance still remains unparalleled in distance running history.

Here was his eight race schedule:

May 23:

I mile heats– First Place

880 heats – First Place

3 mile heats – First Place

May 24:

880 semi-finals – First Place

3 mile final – First Place

May 25:

1 mile final – First Place 3:57.8 was an all-time best for an African American at the time.

880 final – Second Place to Mike Boit

6 mile final – Second Place

                                           

April 21, 1973 -  Reggie McAfee

Reggie McAfee representing the University of North Carolina runs the first sub-four minute mile by a native born African American.  His time of 3:59.3 placed him second to his teammate Tony Waldrop in the Big Three Meet in Raleigh, NC.  He would go on to run three sub 4 minute miles this season with a personal best of 3:57.8.  Reggie is considered by many to be the greatest high school distance runner to compete in Cincinnati.

Reggie McAfee  click on this link for video.

Reggie taking down Lasse Viren in a 3000m. in 1973

February 22, 1974 -  Robin Campbell

Robin Campbell-Bennett

Robin Campbell wins the National Indoor One Mile Championship over Doreen Ennis at Madison Square Garden.  Her time was 4:50.7. Robin was a two time Olympian at 800 in 1980 and 1984.

Her range in racing distances and longevity competing at a national championship level was special.

She was national champion at 440 yards in 1975, 800 meter in 1983, and one mile in 1974.

Robin competed in every Olympic Trials between 1972 and 1984.

April 15, 1974 & April 17, 1972 – Theodore  “Ted” Corbitt – Boston Marathon History

4/15/74 Ted Corbitt’s runs his last Boston Marathon at age 55.  His time of 2:49:16 was only 34 seconds slower than his first Boston in 1951. Corbitt ran Boston 22 years.

4/17/72 Ted Corbitt tied Clarence DeMar for a record of 19 consecutive years of running the Boston Marathon under 3 hours.  Demar’s streak went from 1922 – 1940.

May 16, 1971 -  Byron Dyce

Bryon Dyce became the first African American with dual citizenship (Jamaica) to run a sub 4 minute mile at Franklin Field in Philadelphia at the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Games.  Byron placed 3^rd in 3:59.6 in the Dream Mile where Marty Liquori defeated Jim Ryun.  This race was special in African American running history where the 3 top African American milers; Byron Dyce, Reggie McAfee, and Denis Fikes were in this race. The race video is on YouTube.

November 29, 1970 – Moses Mayfield

Moses Mayfield wins the Philadelphia Marathon in a time of2:24:29 to become the fastest African American marathoner of all-time. He would go on to win this race again in 1971 with the exact time 2:26:44 that Ted Corbitt achieved in the 1958 edition of this race.  This was the first year the race became known as the Philadelphia Marathon.  In previous years it was known as the Shanahan and  Ruthrauff Marathons respectively.

Theodore “Ted” Corbitt – “The Father of Ultramarathon Running in the U.S.”

Running History: November 4, 1973 & October 25, 1970

11/4/73 Ted Corbitt sets an American Record for 24 Hour Run on the track of 134.7 miles.  The race was held at Walton-on-Thames in England.  Corbitt finished in 3^rdplace. 

                     

10/25/70 Ted Corbitt sets an American age group road record for 50 miles of 5:34:01 placing 6^th at the National championship held in Rocklin CA. Corbitt was 51 years old.  This age group record still stands today after 45 years.

For more running history information visit the following:

www.tedcorbitt.com

“like” Ted Corbitt – Pioneer

Follow me on twitter @corbittg

V 6 N.11 February, 1966

FEBRUARY 1966

    Before we tell you about indoor activity in the US, we must report what is going on outdoors in Australia where a new talent has burst on the scene. John Coyle's best 5000 previous to this season had been 14:13.8.   In December he proved he belonged with the big boys by placing third to Kip Keino and Ron Clarke in humid conditions with a 13:51.6, a race in which he led on the tenth lap. In early January he followed Clarke to another huge improvement, lowering his PR to 13:37.0, a time that would have placed him sixth on last year's world list.

John Coyle photo   When you open this you will need to scroll upward on the newspaper page for a photo of John Coyle with Pat Clohessy, Trevor Vincent,  Tony Cook, and Ron Clarke.

    On January 26 at John Landy Field in Geelong, Australia, he takes on his buddy, Clarke, over two miles. Clarke, never afraid to lead, tows the plucky Coyle through the mile in 4:14.0. The pace quickens, but Clarke can't break Coyle who is running the race of his life. As they enter the straight, Clarke has built up an eight yard margin, but Coyle closes steadily to edge the Aussie icon at the tape, 8:24.8 to 8:25.2. The 24 year old teacher now ranks third on the all time list, only 2.6 seconds behind Michel Jazy.

    Clarke and Coyle have a friendship that transcends track and field. These guys play golf every Friday. Clarke says that he had never beaten Coyle until last week when he topped him 40-42 over nine holes. Today's race might be looked at as returning that favor.

    Back in the US the indoor season is going full steam. So sit back, close your eyes and imagine the pounding of feet on a wooden track. Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.

John Pennell

    On Thursday, January 27 a crowd of 16,000 gathers in Madison Square Garden for the 59^th edition of the Millrose Games. The hope that John Pennel will become the first indoor vaulter to clear 17 feet isn't realized. With victory assured with his 16-5 clearance, Pennel goes for 17, but all the spectator wishing in the world doesn't help. Three misses produce three loud aaahs from the crowd. Not to worry says John. He will do it as he is going for 17 in every meet this year.

    Steeplechase world record holder Gaston Roelants has been treated roughly on his US tour. This day he is not to be deterred. He trails impressive Tom Laris for a mile and a quarter before taking over the two mile. He wins in 8:40.6 with Laris second, tying his PR of 8:42.2, and Tracy Smith third in his PR of 8:42.6.

    Kip Keino, sans his famous orange cap, holds off UCLA's Bob Day in the mile 4:03.9 to 4:04.2.

Sam Perry

Sam Perry Obituary  Click  on this link.  Sam passed away in 2000.

    Two nights later, 215 miles up I-90E, the 77^th annual Boston AA meet produces fast times at odd distances. Sam Perry, the Fordham flash (apologies to Frankie Frisch), wins the 50 in 5.3. Southern freshman Willie Davenport edges Leon Coleman in the 45 yard hurdles in 5.4. Theron Lewis misses his own 11 lap to the mile 440 record by two tenths in 48.0. Tom Farrell follows Olan Cassell through a 49.5 quarter in the 600 before taking over to win in 1:09.5, just a tenth off Jack Yerman's American record. Englishman David Hemery, a Boston College student, and Cassell finish in 1:09.8 and 1:09.9, making this the first time three have beaten 1:10. John Lawson and Tracy Smith clock personal bests in the 2 mile with Lawson winning 8:39.8 and Smith shaving four tenths off his Millrose time to finish in 8:42.2.

Tracy Smith

    On the same evening in Portland there is an even better two mile. Bob Day shows no ill effects from having competed in New York two days before. He follows Gerry Lindgren through a 4:15.0 mile before exhibiting his superior speed to pull away for an 8:33.0 to 8:34.0 victory and a collegiate record. The previous mark had been 8:41.0 set by Lindgren last year.

Neil Steinhauer

    Neal Steinhauer came onto the national scene in this meet last year with a shot put effort of 61-5. This day he throws 61-4½. No one is too excited as all this earns him is second place behind the 62-9½ of Perry O'Brien who was winning Olympic gold medals while Steinhauer was still in grade school.

Otis Burrell

    As good as the previously mentioned events were, the high jump is more dramatic. Otis Burrell, Max Lowe and Gene Johnson all clear 7-1½, but Burrell isn't done. He goes over 7-2¼ and then takes a shot at Valeriy Brumel's world record of 7-4½. Otis is a confident guy. Instead of having the bar set at 7-4¾, he has it at 7-5¼. After two misses, he barely misses a third attempt, narrowly clipping the bar with his knee on the descent. Had the bar been a half inch lower would he have made it? Though that might be a subject for discussion the next time the gang gathers at the Dew Drop Inn, we will never know.

Tom Farrell

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    It is February 4 and we are back in Madison Square Garden for the Knights of Columbus meet where the middle distances take the spotlight. Tom Farrell tops Ergas Leps by a tenth in the 1000 in 2:08.7. Leps' Canadian teammate, Bill Crothers, wins the 880 1:51.8, the season's fastest time.

    New Zealander John Davies takes the mile easily in 4:04.2 while countryman Bill Baillie comes home in 8:44.2 to win the two mile.

    Triple jumper Art Walker can manage only two fair jumps but both – 53-2 and 53-0½ – top his US record 52-10 set earlier this season.

    The next night the show moves to Philadelphia for the Inquirer Games where the 12 lap to the mile track is just too tight to run fast. Case in point: John Davies follows a 66.2, 2:14.4, 3:20.1 pace before kicking home in 55.0 to win the mile in 4:15.1.

    That same evening in the Seattle Invitational there are quality marks but not many. Jim Grelle outkicks Bob Day by a second in the mile, winning in 4:02.8. Gerry Lindgren takes the two mile in 8:39.8, lapping the field except for Doug Brown.

USA v G. Britain indoor 1965  Jeff Chase seen  vaulting in this clip along with other events.

    Jeff Chase is voted the outstanding performer for his PR 16-6¼ vault, third on the all time indoor list. The voting for this award must have been close because Parry O'Brien shows his new found old man strength to put the shot 63-9, only an inch from his best and third best ever indoors.

    Two weeks ago Madison Square Garden held 16,000 for the Millrose Games. But on February 11 most of the crowd is disguised as empty seats. Only 6593 are in attendance for the first USTFF meet. They are rewarded by seeing Jim Ryun's 56.1 last quarter in his 4:01.6 mile victory. The other precocious teenager, Gerry Lindgren, goes out hard in the two mile, leading at the mile in 4:17.8 with Tom Laris in close pursuit. Lindgren who says he had never heard of Laris before, gets an introduction as the veteran kicks past to win handily, 8:40.2 to 8:41.4. Say hello to Tom, Gerry.

Tom Laris running for Dartmouth

    Not all the meets are on the coasts. This same night the Will Rogers Games are held in Fort Worth where the crowd of 7100 see an attempt by John Pennel to better his pole vault world record of 16-9¼ . They see the record challenged, but surprisingly not by Pennel. After 11 consecutive victories, Pennel is having troubles. He misses his first attempt at 15-0 then passes to 15-6 where he misses twice more and is out. This gives him plenty of time to watch Jeff Chase clear 15, 15-6, 16 and 16-6 on his first attempts before failing to clear 16-9½.

Martin McGrady on left besting Lee Evans at 600  yards in 1969

    A week ago times were slow in the Inquirer Games because of the tight turns on the 12 lap to the mile track.Tonight, February 12, the track gods make up for that with the sweeping turns of the 8 lap to the mile track in Louisville's Mason-Dixon Games. Nineteen year old Central State sophomore Martin McGrady seizes this advantage to break the world record at 600 yards, clocking 1:09.0 to better Wendell Mottley's 1:09.2. Also breaking the record, but not getting credit for it, is Ollen Cassell who runs 1:09.1. McGrady has to share world record honors with the Southern University mile relay team who ride Robert Johnson's 46.1 anchor to a 3:11.1 clocking, tying the mark set last year on the same track by Texas Southern.

Brian Oldfield , the early years

    For future reference, second in the shot put this evening is a kid from Middle Tennessee State, Brian Oldfield, who throws 57-7.

    If ever an award for consistency was deserved, it should go to Jeff Chase. Tonight he has his “worst” mark of the season, 16-5¾. His other two performances have been 16-6 and 16-6¼. As you will soon see, this is not his only reason to be disappointed at the end of the evening.

    In Los Angeles this same evening 13,477 fans pack the Sports Arena for the seventh Los Angeles Times Games. None of them leave disappointed, for this is the best meet of the season.

    Last night's performance in Fort Worth was a painful experience for John Pennel. He is determined to right the ship tonight. The immediate problem is his roommate, Bob Seagren, who clears 15-6 and 16-0 on his first jumps while Pennel has a miss at 15-6 to fall behind. Both struggle at 16-5, clearing on their third attempts. With the bar at a record 16-10, both miss their first two jumps. Separation happens on the third try. Seagren misses and Pennel clears. Not only does Pennel extend his world record, but Seagren is stuck doing the laundry for the next month.

    The fields in every event reflect the money spent to provide quality competition. The long jump is an excellent example. Olympic champion Lynne Davies of Great Britain is here. So is former world record holder Igor Ter-Ovanesyan of the USSR. Finland's Rainer Stenius, a long time world ranked competitor, and Arizona's Gail Hopkins make up the field.

Rainer Stenius

Phil, who made those shoes?

    No one excites the crowd more that Hopkins with jumps of 27-2 and 26-6. Unfortunately both are slight fouls. His best legal jump of 26-1¾ loses by the length of the cuticle on your little finger, as Davies wins at 26-2. Ter-0vanesyan, 25-9¼ , and Stenius, 25-1¼, finish third and fourth.

    The event of the meet, at least on the track, is the two mile, an event that has cost meet director Glenn Davis (yes, Doc Blanchard's Army teammate) $5000. Track and Field News Athlete of the Year, Ron Clarke is here. So is the latest distance phenom, Kip Keino. UCLA's Bob Day has the fastest time in the world this year, 8:33.0, run last month when he beat Gerry Lindgren in Portland. Yep, there he is on the starting line. World class Lajos Mecser of Hungary and Viktor Kudinskiy of the USSR add depth. Bill Baille of New Zealand is always tough. Tracy Smith has three sub 8:43 clockings this year. They are all in this race.

    No one wants to press the pace, so the mlle is passed in 4:24 with the field packed closely behind Clarke, Day and Keino. Clarke throws in a few surges, but they are quickly covered, though no one wants to take the lead. With three laps (480 yards) to go, the field is no more than ten yards apart. Somebody has to make a break soon. It is just a question of who. On the backstretch Baillie goes to the afterburners. The field responds, but it is a question of too little, too late. Baillie wins in 8:37.4 with Clarke a full second back. Kudinskiy finshes faster than anyone, but can only get third in 8:40.0, edging Day, 8:40.2, and Keino, 8:40.8. Smith and Mecser finish in 8:42.0 and 8:42.6.

    Maryland's Jim Grelle wins the mile easily in 4:03.1 over John Camien, 4:04.4 and New Zealand's John Davies. Wait a minute. Maryland's Jim Grelle? Well, it would seem so. The veteran Oregon grad forgot his uniform and had to borrow high jumper Frank Costello's. Imagine that conversation. “Uh, Frank, are you all done with your uni tonight?   Well, if so.......”

Jim Grelle.  Is that a Terrapin Singlet?

    The next week, February 18, we return to Madison Square Garden where Tom Farrell's 880 record is saved by the fact that at the last minute, Farrell is unable to compete. The proposed match between Farrell and Canada's Bill Crothers is reduced to a time trial for Crothers. He takes a good shot, but comes up just short, 1:50.0 to 1:49.8.

    Frank Costello wins the high jump at 7-0 and doesn't loan Grelle his “lucky uniform”. Whether this is why Grelle loses a lean at the tape race to Jim Ryun, 4:02.2 for both, will never be known.

    The best field event is the long jump where Ter-Ovanesyan produces the longest jump of the indoor season, 26-5 to beat Lynn Davies' 26-1½..

Perry O'Brien

    One last minute report before the issue goes to press gives hope for the future. On the following day in the Achillies Invitational in Vancouver, Perry O'Brien puts the shot 64-0, a lifetime best. The kid may have a future in the sport. Stay tuned.

V 6 N. 10 Sport Dispute Resolution-Run Gum at the Olympic Trials?

I spent a long day yesterday travelling to Vancouver to attend a conference of sports mediators and arbitrators hoping to learn how the process works at high levels.  The conference covered a wide range of sports from snowboarding, soccer, basketball, equestrianism, to our own first love Track and Field.  There was  a lot of information on dealing with the doping problems we've been writing and reading about lately.  I'll talk more about the doping situation as represented at the conference in subsequent postings.  However I wanted to share one little tidbit in case it makes more news at this weekend's US  Olympic Trials Marathon race in Los Angeles.  This concerns Nick Symmonds' anti trust law suit against USATF and the USOC concerning the right to wear logos of companies not on the  list of  'sponsors'  those two organizations have approved.  Symmonds co-owns a company that markets a product called  Run Gum which apparently delivers caffeine to athletes during their competitions.  According to the rules of USATF and the USOC who are sanctioning the OTs,  Run Gum logos cannot be displayed on the uniform or the body of an athlete running in the marathon trials tomorrow (Saturday February 13).   What the penalty would be is not mentioned, whether it be a fine or a disqualification.   Apparently Symmonds has several runners in contractual arrangements  to receive financial support for touting Run Gum, and he would like them to be able to wear the Run Gum logo in the trials.   It would be Run Gum's hope that a court decision would allow that to happen.  However, we all know that it can take more than a day to get a decision out of a court short of some kind of injunction or restraining order which is only a temporary solution.

Last year before the World Championships,  Symmonds' dispute with USATF over his refusal to sign an agreement to wear Nike logo clothing at the world championships in non competition venues was the biggest story going into the championships.  He was eventually denied participation in those championships by USATF for refusing to sign the agreement, as he was sponsored by Brooks and would have preferred to wear Brooks clothing when not in competition.

Wearing logos has moved a long way in many sports.  Racing drivers used to be logo free fifty years ago.  Now they are walking billboards.  Even the NFL whose uniforms from a distance appear logo free in close have a lot of logos on them.  And it brings a lot of money to the athletes for allowing this.

So it remains to be seen if there will be any mention of the Run Gum story tomorrow as we watch the marathon trials.  

The purpose of the conference I attended yesterday was to discuss how these problems can and have been dealt with outside the courts  in the mediation and arbitration venues.  It can be faster, cheaper and preserve relationships which often is just the opposite in the court system.  I'll talk more about this in the future.

In another story in the news today, I noticed that the Nestle company is in the process of withdrawing from it's agreement to support  Kids' Track and Field with the IAAF.  That's a million dollars a year out the door of the IAAF coffers.  Ironically it seems somewhat hypocritical that Nestle would be putting money into childrens' sport as for years they were criticized for promoting their products of milk formula to Third World children which forced mothers to use contaminated water to add to the Nestle powdered formula resulting  in a lot of health problems in those  children.   Also looks like Adidas is threatening to pull out  of its contract with the IAAF, another 4 million dollars a year in sponsorship.    The IAAF has plenty of chances to find other corporations that exploit child labor somewhere in the world to fill that void.  No apologies for my cynicism.

George

Comments:



George, nicely written.  I went straight to the getrungum.comwebsite, to learn more of the secret of Nick Symmonds' speed.  Such genius: caffein in gum -- in delicious flavors.  Next, they'll be putting nicotine into gum.  Then, who knows: that instant energy source, sugar.  Isn't modern science wonderful!
Bill Blewett

George,

   So it is not enough that we have to endure political debates, negative political ads, sensational crimes, Youtube videos about stupidity, but now have to endure infighting in the T&F community over stimulants and sponsorship?  I was listening today that the NFL will be discussing corporate logos for teams to replace names of cities and nicknames.  If they do this, much like European football, then all US sports will follow suit including colleges.  Even though the people of Cincinnati built two stadiums for a combined $550 million, the uniforms might soon say something other than Cincinnati, Reds or Bengals.  There Otta Be A Law !!!!!!!      Bill Schnier

V 6 N. 9 This week in history happenings from Gary Corbitt

These are the kind of reports we like to use on our blog.   Be sure to follow Gary Corbitt's blog listed below.

Gary Corbitt Blog

Indoor Track & Field History

January 28 –  February 4  (1952 – 1969)

1/28/61 Sandra Pashkin – Queens Mercurettes set a women’s indoor 880 record of 2:25.3 in beating Sandra Knott 2:26.3 and Grace Butcher 2:27.6 at Washington DC Star Games.

1/28/61 Valerly Brumel – Russia high jumgs 7’ 4 ½” indoors on a dirt surface.

1/28/61 Ernie Cunliffe set a world indoor record for 1,000 yards of 2:07.9 in beating Frank Tomeo at Boston AA meet.

1/28/61 John Thomas set an American indoor record in the high jump of 7’ 3” at the Boston AA meet.

1/28/65 Sam Perry – Fordham tied world indoor record of 5.9 for 60 yards at the Millrose Games.

1/28/67 Jerry Proctor – Muir High becomes the first schoolboy ever to leap 26’ in long jump; 26’ 2” in Albuquerque NM.

                                                                                                                                                            

1/29/53 Grand Street Boys smashes the world indoor record for one mile relay at the Millrose Games with Andy Stanfield (50.5), George Rhoden (49.1), Herb McKenley (47.6) and Mal Whitfield (48.2) in 3:15.4 beating NYPC 3:18.3 anchored by Roscoe Browne in 47.9.

1/29/54 Wes Santee sets a world indoor record for one mile of 4:03.8 at the Boston AA meet.

1/30/60 Hayes Jones ties the American indoor record for 60 yards high hurdles at 7.0 during the Millrose Games over Lee Calhoun.

1/30/64 Bill Crothers set a world indoor record for 800 meters of 1:49.5 in beating Noel Carroll.

1/30/65 Bill Crothers wins 3^rd race in 3 nights at Boston AA meet; winning the 600 yards in 1:09.3 just missing Wendel Motley’s world record by one-tenth.

1/31/53 Mal Whitfield ties world indoor record for 600 yards with a 1:10.2 at the Boston AA Games.

1/31/53 John Kopil set a new one mile high school record of 4:20.1 over Bob Lippmeier.

1/31/59 John Thomas upped his own world indoor high jump record to 7’ in beating Charlie Dumas.

1/31/69 The largest crowd ever to witness an indoor track meet in New York was 17,670 at NY Knights of Columbus meet.

1/31/69 George Young ran the fastest 2 mile ever in a NY meet of 8:37.2 beating Barry Brown.

2/1/52 Bob Richards clears 4^th best indoor pole vault height ever of 15’ 4 5/8” at Milwaukee Journal Games only Cornelius Warmerdam and Richards have performed better.

2/1/58 Ron Delany wins his 18^th straight indoor mile race in 4:05.3 at the Boston AA Games over Jim Beatty.

2/1/58 Glenn Davis – Ohio State scores 23 points in a meet vs. Purdue and Kentucky.  Davis won 3 events, one 2^nd place, one 2^nd place tie and anchored the mile relay.

2/1/63 Igor Ter-Ovanesyan-Russia set a world indoor record of 26’ 10” for the long jump over Ralph Boston at the Millrose Games.

2/1/64 Wendell Mottley – Yale set a new indoor world record of 48.0 at the 440 over Charley Mays at Boston AA meet.

2/1/64 Villanova set a world indoor record for 2 mile relay of 7:26.4 with Vic Zwolack, Al Adams, Tom Sullivan and Noel Carroll at the Boston AA meet.

2/1/64 Tom Farrell – St Johns won his first big race to beat Jay Luck at the 600 in 1:10.7 at the Boston AA meet.

2/1/69 Willie Davenport set a world indoor record for 45 yard high hurdles of 5.3 in beating Leon Coleman and Erv Hall at NY Knights of Columbus meet.  The previous record was set in 1942.

2/1/69 George Frenn set a world indoor record for the 35 lb weight toss of 73’ 3 1/2” besting Hal Connolly’s 1960 record.

2/2/57 Tom Courtney tied the world indoor record held by Mal Whitfield in the 600 yard with a 1:09.5 at the Boston AA Games.

2/2/68 Marty McGrady defeated Tom Farrell at 600 yards in 1:10.8 for his 5^th straight season win in New York.

2/3/61 Manhattan College set a world indoor record for 2 mile relay of 7:32.8 with John Corry, Kye Courtney, Larry St. Clair and Artie Evans at the Millrose Games.

2/3/67 Jim Kemp wins the 500 yards over Vince Matthews in a meet record of 56.2 at the NY KC meet.

2/3/68 Lee Evans fell short of world indoor record for 500 yards by one-tenth with a 55.6 time in Seattle.

2/3/68 Charlie Greene beats Billy Gaines at 50 yards in 5.3 at Philadelphia Track Classic.

2/3/68 Kerry Pearce sets a world indoor record for 2 miles of 8:27.2 beating Kerry O’Brien in San Diego.

2/4/56 Bob Richards wins his 10^th straight Millrose Games with a pole vault of 15’ 4.”

2/4/66 Tom Farrell wins the 1,000 yards in a personal best of 2:08.7 over Ergas Leps – Toronto at the NY K C meet.

2/4/67 Tom Von Ruden set an American indoor record of 2:06.8 for 1,000 yards in San Diego.

2/4/67 Gerry Lindgren out sprints Bill Baillie at 2 miles in 8:31.6 in Seattle.

For more running history information visit the following:

www.tedcorbitt.com

“like” Ted Corbitt – Pioneer

Follow me on twitter @corbittg

V 6 N. 8 Only Real Men and Women Run Cross Country in England!

Go Feet , a British running blog of which we are fond here at the offices of Once Upon a Time in the Vest has produced a description of the recent South of  England championships accompanied by videos of all age groups.  By the time they get around to the Seniors side of the afternoon the course is a wonderfuly chewed up quagmire of which we are also quite fond.  So here's to the inventors of the sport and the gallant lads and ladies who fondly partake.

South of England CC from Go Feet


King Henry V pre meet speech that fired up the troops   and inspires us 'til this day.



History tells us that the Battle of Agincourt victory by the outnumbered English over the French was done with the help of PELBs  (Performance Enhancing Long Bows) which decimated the superior in numbers forces of the French.

See Kenneth Brannagh's version of the battle.

The Battle

V6 N. 7 Southern California Track Reunion

For those of you living in Southern California or passing through,  here is notice of a Athletes and Coaches reunion this month.


    TRACK & FIELD REUNION LUNCHEON

Date: Sat., Feb., 13, 2016   11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Spaghettini Restaurant
                3005 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach, CA 90740
                (562) 596-2199 <tel:%28562%29%20596-2199>
Cost:  $45 per person
 Hello, Athletes and Coaches,

Please reserve the above date, as that’s the day we are having our reunion luncheon. Ron Allice, Larry Knuth and I have broadened our search for athletes and coaches from the “Golden Era of Track & Field”. For this next reunion we expect upwards of 150 attendees. Spaghettini’s is where we held our last one. There will be a no-host bar, and ample parking. This restaurant is located a block from the 405 Freeway, which makes for an easy exit and access. Coming from either direction on the 405, exit at Seal Beach Blvd., and proceed North. Turn left onto Old Ranch Road; then, an immediate right turn into the parking lot.

There are several hotels/motels near the restaurant, for those, who wish to spend a night or two. You may want to combine this reunion with a visit to any one of the entertainment parks in the Orange County area.

Ayres Hotel  (Across the street from the restaurant)  (800) 653-3230 <tel:%28800%29%20653-3230>
Hampton Inn & Suites  (562) 594-3939 <tel:%28562%29%20594-3939>
Ocean Surf Inn & Suites  (562) 592-1993 <tel:%28562%29%20592-1993>
The Pacific Inn  (866) 466-0300 <tel:%28866%29%20466-0300>

Sat., Feb. 13, 2016.  The Reservation Form is attached to this email, and we MUST receive your reservation form before Feb. 5th. You must not show on this date without having mailed your form and check to us, because there may not be any space available. We hope to see you there.

Thanks, Your Reunion Committee,
Doug, Larry & RonDoug Smith
26063 Saratoga Ave.
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
H: (949) 831-5935
C: (949) 230-1940
smitheld@cox.net <mailto:smitheld@cox.net>                  TRACK & FIELD REUNION LUNCHEON

Date: Sat., Feb., 13, 2016   11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Spaghettini Restaurant
                3005 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach, CA 90740
                (562) 596-2199