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Courage to Run – 50th Anniversary of the Record Breaking Mile
June 5, 2014 at 11:45 am to 1:30 pm
“During my many years as a world class runner as well as during my ten year tenure as a US Congressman, I found many opportunities to dig down deep for the courage to accomplish what needed to be done. I enjoy sharing my life experiences from as long ago as a 10 year old child looking for a role model and finding him in the TV series of “Superman” to running against Olympians on the world stage of track and field competition. <!–more–>June 5th is an historic day in my life as well as in the life of track and field and running in general. I am very grateful for the many people who have organized the 50th Anniversary celebrating my being the first high school boy to run the mile in under 4 minutes. It is honor to be sharing this day with all of you.”
On June 5, 1964 Jim Ryun became the first high school runner to break four minutes for the mile, running it in 3:59. From there Jim went on to become the most renowned athlete of his day. He received Sports Illustrated magazine’s “Sportsman of the Year” award, the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation’s top amateur athlete, the ABC’s Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year, and was voted Track & Field News’ Athlete of the Year as the world’s best track & field athlete. ESPN has him rated as the Number 1 high school athlete of all time.
