On this wet, and dreary day I was doing some thinking on the topic for today's top 5. Since we are in the beginning stages of the outdoor track season, ideas began to formulate as to the list I would complete. So after much research, thought, and careful consideration. I am going to list my top 5 U.S. distance runners of all time. These rankings are subjective and based upon certain criteria that I feel are important. I value longevity, fast times, victories in major races, and how good they were in their era, usually in that order but not strictly limited to those criteria as it is my list, my choices. I define a distance runner as being anything from the mile all the way up to the marathon. So without further ado...
1. Frank Shorter- He along with Steve Prefontaine really started a running boom in America. Won the Olympic Marathon in 1972 and finished 2nd to a drug cheat in the 1976 games. He was a 4 time U.S. Cross Country champion. From 1971 to 1973, was ranked number 1 in the world at the marathon. From 1971 to 1976 he was number one in the United States. Six separate years in the 70's he was ranked number one at the 10,000m. Personal Records (PR's) of 13:26(5k), 27:45(10k), 2:10.30 (Marathon).
2. Jim Ryun- He was the first high schooler to run under 4 minutes in the mile. His high school record of 3:55.3 stood for 36 years until broken by Alan Webb in 2001. He holds 5 of the 6 times ever run by a high schooler. Received the silver medal in the 1500m at the 1968 Olympic Games to the great Kip Keino of Kenya. He held the world record at the mile and 800m. PR's of 3:51.1 in the mile and 3:33.1 in the 1500m. In 1966 and 1967 he was ranked number in the world at the 1500/mile distance.
3. Steve Scott- He held the U.S. record in the mile for 26 years at 3:47.6. Finished 2nd in the 1500m World Championships in 1983. Ran sub-4 in the mile 136 times. Holds the U.S. indoor record in the 2k at 4:58.6. Was the first American to run under 3:50 in the mile, the 5th ever in the world. Finished 5th at the 1500m at the 1988 Olympics. Has PR's of 3:31.7 (1500m), 3:47.6 (mile), 7:36 (3k), and 13:30 (5k).
4. Steve Prefontaine- The legendary "Pre" held every American record from the 2k to the 10k at one point in his brief career. Finished 4th in the 1972 Olympics at 5000m. A noted front runner he only lost 3 times in his collegiate career at the University of Oregon. Won 3 NCAA Cross Country titles in 4 years. Holds PR's of 7:42 (3k), 13:21 (5k), 27:43 (10k). Career was ended prematurely in 1975 after a car wreck ended his life at the age of 24. Which is why he does not rank higher on this list.
5. Bill Rodgers- Four time winner of both the Boston and New York City Marathons. Ranked number one in the world at the marathon in 1975, 1977, and 1979. He won 22 marathons in his career. Holds the American records at the 15k, 20k, 25k, and 30k distances. Held the American record at one time in the Marathon with a 2:09.27 in 1979. Made the Olympic teams in the Marathon in 1976 and 1980 (U.S. boycotted these games). Finished 3rd at the World Cross Country Championships. Ran a 28:04 on the track for 10k and a 28:16 on the roads.
I feel like this is a good representation of the top distance runners that have represented America in its history. Some honorable mentions include Craig Virgin(13:19 5k, 27:29 10k), Bob Kennedy (12:58 5k-U.S. best), Bernard Lagat (lacks longevity as an American), Marty Liquori (3:36 1500m), Ryan Hall (2:06.17 in the marathon, 59:43 in the half-marathon, huge potential to enter this list in a couple years if he can remain healthy and win some big races), and Alan Webb (U.S. record holder in mile, 13:10 5k, 27:34 10k, lacks big race wins, more of a time trialer I think). If others were left off, I apologize, as I am sure there are plenty of other good runners that I have not mentioned. For all of you runners and former runners out there, I would gladly like to see your thoughts and opinions on this list. If you do disagree, give me some stats and facts to back it up. I'd be glad to hear them. Have a good day.
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