Jim Ryun 50th Anniversary

[1972Shocker]

Today is the 50th Anniversary of Jim Ryun becoming the first high schooler to break 4 minutes in the mile. And it really has not been done very often since then. Jim is one of my all-time favorites.

http://www.kansas.com/2014/06/04/3492551/jim-ryun-reflects-upon-50th-anniversary.html

[1972Shocker]

Here is a video of Jim's 3:58.3 he ran at the Kansas State High School Championship his senior year in 1965. I believe this is still the record for a high school only competition. To bad Mike Kennedy wasn't around to make the call.

Considering that was almost 50 years ago and he was his own rabbit that is pretty amazing. Of course they don't run the mile much anymore.

[1972Shocker]

Here is another great Jim Ryun race from 1965. The favorites were the very experienced Peter Snell and Jim Grelle. In fact, I don't thing the announcers even metioned Jim's name until about the 3:10 mark.

Here is very nice SI article about this race.

[1972Shocker]

Here is another race Jim lead from start to finish when he set his 3:51.1 world record in 1967. Reminiscent of Secretariat's great run in the Belmont Stakes.

Not a very good video. Jim McKay with the call.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlwS0Fyq8vk

[1972Shocker]

I did not realize that ESPN named Jim as the Number 1 High School Athlete of All Time.