Legendary Runners of the Past

Aouita, Said - A dominate middle-distance runner of the 1980s who won the 5,000-meter gold in 1984 Olympics. He also set world records in the 1500m, 2000, 3000 and 5000m.

Bannister, Sir Roger - Englishman who was the first person to break the 4-minute barrier in the mile, running 3.59.4 on 6 May 1954.

Bikila, Abebe - Ethiopian runner who was famed for running barefoot and winning two consecutive Olympic marathons in Rome and Tokyo.

Cierpinski, Waldermar - East German who equaled Abebe Bikila's feat by winning two consecutive Olympic marathons in Montreal and Moscow and the first to break 2:10.

Clarke, Ron - Australian runner of the 1960s who held world records in the 5000 and 10000 meters. Was favored to win the 1964 Olympic marathon in Tokyo (won by American Billy Mills) but had to settle for the bronze medal.

Coghlan, Eamonn - Irishman who ran the first sub-4 minute mile (3.58.15) on 20 Feb 1994 at the age of 41.

De Castella, Rob - Australian marathoner who won the 1983 World Championships and other notable marathons such as Fukuoka in Japan and the infamous Boston Marathon.

Photo courtesy of Leo Kulinski, Jr.

Dellinger, Bill - American runner who won the bronze medal in the 1964 Olympic 5000 meters and also coached Alberto Salazar and Steve Prefontaine who ran for the University of Oregon.

El Guerrouj, Hicham - Moroccan world record holder in the mile with a time of 3:43.13.

Gebreselassie, Haile - Without a doubt, one of the greatest distance runners in the world. He holds the world record in the marathon and half marathon with times of 2.04.26 and 58.55, respectively. He has broken 25 world records and has won two Olympic gold medals in the 10000 meters.



Kastor, Deena - American record holder in the marathon - 2.19.36, half-marathon - 1.07.34 and 10000 meters - 30.50.32. See her in the documentary "Spirit of the Marathon."

Keflezighi, Meb - American record holder in the 10000 meters - 27.13.98 and 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the marathon.

Lindgren, Gerry - Considered one the great High School Cross Country runners of all time. He was known for running high mileage which ultimately brought him into the 1964 Olympic 10000 meter race.

Lopes, Carlos - Portugal's gold medal winner in the 1980 Olympic marathon at age 37. He also won the Olympic 10000 meter silver medal in 1976 in Montreal.

Loroupe, Tegla - She is one of Kenya's bright distance stars who previously held the world record in the marathon and became the first African woman to win the New York City marathon.

Mills, Billy - American native who won the 1964 Olympic 10000 meter gold medal in a thrilling upset over Australian star Ron Clarke. Actual 1964 footage of final lap.

Nurmi, Paavo - Finnish national hero and running great of the 1920s who won 9 gold medals in the 1920, 1924 and 1928 Olympics. He also lit the Olympic flame for the 1952 Helsinki games in Finland.

Prefontaine, Steve - American legend famed for his extremely aggressive "front running" who finished a gusty 4th place in the 1972 Olympic 10000 meters in Munich, Germany. During his lifetime, Pre won 82 of 102 races and held every American record from 2000 to 10000 meters. He died in a single car crash in Eugene, Oregon on 30 May 1975. This is a photo of his last race at Eugene's Hayward Field on 29 May 1975 with Frank Shorter in tow.

Photo courtesy of Mr. Geoff Parks

Steve Roland Prefontaine (January 25, 1951 -- May 30, 1975)

PRE's Final 200 Meters in 1971 3 Mile Championships

1973 Indoor Mile and Interview with PRE

Rodgers, Bill - Nicknamed "Boston Billy" for winning four Boston marathons and also four New York City marathons. He was also credited with igniting the "running boom" of the 1970s.

Photo courtesy of Leo Kulinski, Jr.


Rono, Henry - Kenyan distance runner who held four world records in 1978 for 3000, 5000 and 10000 meters and the 3000 meter steeplechase. He also won three National Collegiate Cross Country Championships.

Ryan, Jim - America's first high school miler to break four minutes. He won the Olympic 1500 meter silver medal in the 1968 games in Mexico.

Salazar, Alberto - Born in Cuba and graduated from the University of Oregon. He won three consecutive New York City marathons (1980 to 1982), the 1982 Boston marathon and the 54-mile Comrades marathon.

Photo courtesy of Leo Kulinski, Jr.


Samuelson, Joan Benoit - American great who won 1984 Olympic marathon gold. She won two Boston marathons and held the world record in 1983.

Photo courtesy of Leo Kulinski, Jr.


Scott, Steve - In 1982, he held the indoor and outdoor American record for the mile in 3.47.69 until Alan Webb broke it. He has run more than 100 sub-4 minute miles and currently holds the American masters (age 40+) mile record in 4.14.27.

Shorter, Frank - American runner credited with launching the "running boom" in the 1970s. He won the 1972 Olympic gold and the 1976 Olympic silver medals in the marathon.

Photo courtesy of Leo Kulinski, Jr.


1972 Olympic Marathon Finish With A Twist (Check it out)

Slaney, Mary Decker - In 1982, she set six world records ranging from the mile to 10000 meters. She was favored to win the 1984 Olympic 3000 meter race but was tripped up by Zola Budd.

Tergat, Paul - Former marathon world record holder from Kenya. In world record time, he won the 2003 Berlin marathon in 2.04.55 with an incredible 4:46 minute pace. He has won five consecutive World Cross Country Championships and has also "won" and "lost" very many close races including the 1996 and 2000 Olympic 10000 meters, finishing second both times to his close friend Haile Gebrselassie.

Viren, Lasse - Legendary Finnish runner who won four Olympic gold medals in 1972 and 1976 5000 and 10000 meters.

Waitz, Grete - Norwegian legend who won nine New York City marathons, five World Cross Country titles and won the 1984 Olympic silver medal in the marathon.

Yifter, Miruts - Ethiopian nicknamed "Yifter the Shifter" due to his outstanding kick. He won both the 1980 Olympic 5000 and 10000 meters race.

Zatopek, Emil - Czech great who won 1952 Olympic gold in the 5000, 10000 and marathon; a feat which has not been repeated.

I hope you enjoyed reading this page and watching the videos as much as I enjoyed building it.

Keep running, but remember...

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