THE 2 MILE RUN
Some say that the most
exciting event on the track is the mile relay (4 x 400), and that may be
true.� However, to this writer, and many
more devote track & field aficionados, the 2 mile run is the most exciting,
and to those who conquer the event, historical and honorary regard is the
reward.� The mythical benchmark standard
for this �glamour� event is to run sub-9:00 (8:56.4 for 3200).� In our sections� history only two (2)
athletes have ever broken that distinguished barrier for 2 miles, Mitch Kingery
(San Carlos-�75-8:57.3-) and Mike Ryan (Wilcox-�65-8:57.8-).� Jesse Torres (Independence-�81-8:52.11) and
Mike McCollum (Palo Alto-�81-8:56.11) ran faster times, however for the now
run, 3200m distance. Top Marks.� Ryan
(Air Force Academy) went on to become the NCAA Cross-Country Champion (1968,
2nd 1969) and McCollum (Cal) enjoyed banner years while competing at the
University of California-Berkeley (later teaming up with his coach, Brian
Maxwell, and investing in Powerbars energy supplement).� Kingery is also the CCS record holder in the
marathon.
���� Although the Mile Run has enjoyed huge
notoriety over the years, the 2 mile has the distinction of being the event
which is a measurement of endurance, power,�
speed, and intestinal fortitude (see Gerry Lindgren).� Currently there are only 200 preps,
all�time, who have ever eclipsed sub-9:00 in the 2-mile.� The most notable being Steve Prefontaine
(Coos Bay, OR �69), however there were three (3) others who have run faster.
���� Californian, Jeff Nelson (Burbank-�79)
ran 8:36.3 to capture the National HS Record from then record holder Craig
Virgin (Lebanon-�73) and he is now at the top of the All-Time 2-Mile List.� In his senior year Nelson ran sub-9:00 seven
(7) times! (That same year he established the course record at
MSAC-14:32-�79).� He was the State
2-mile Champion as a junior (8:59.28).�
He opened his senior year by winning the Sunkist Invitational (indoors)
in 8:55.1, ran 8:42.7 at the Jack In The Box Invitational (now the San Diego
Indoor) in an open race and then, outdoors, ran 8:55.0 (Burbank Invitational),
8:36.3 (Pepsi Invitational-UCLA), 8:51.3 (3-A Sub-Section Finals), 8:49.1
(Southern Section Finals) and 8:47.35 to win the California State Meet
(Sacramento).
���� Probably the greatest distance running
phenom ever was Gerry Lindgren (Rogers HS-Spokane, WA-�64).� He ran over 200 miles a week and as a high
school senior ran 8:40.0i and 4:01.5� He
ran 13:44 for 5000 to make the 1964 Olympic Team, placing 9th in the final and
was 9 seconds off of the world record!�
He was regarded as quirky, goofy and even crazy, but he could sure run.� In August of his senior year he doubled,
40:1.5 and 13:17 for 3 miles!
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