• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Track & Field

Oregon’s Original Sub-Four Minute Milers Reminisced Before Prefontaine Classic, by Lindsay Rossmiller

RBR AdminbyRBR Admin
May 29, 2016
0
0 0
0
SHARES
106
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

13315538_1339441032751712_2083903853904318422_n.jpgKeith Forman and Jim Bailey, with their Sub 4 Reunion photo, courtesy of Oregon Track Club FB site

The sub four minute mile has been one of our sport’s holy grails. The 1300 men who have broken the mark are most respected in the U.S. and GBR. At Oregon, Bill Bowerman and Bill Dellinger developed many. Lindsay Rossmiller, writing for RunBlogRun, wrote about the Sub 4 Reunion held on Friday night, May 28. Here is her story.

RelatedPosts

Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

Is Sha’Carri Richardson the one true global star of Track and Field since Usain Bolt?

NUGUSE SMASHES AMERICAN RECORD FOR THE MILE: 3:43.97

Oregon’s Original Sub-Four Minute Milers Reminisced Before Prefontaine Classic

By: Lindsay Rossmiller

Prior to the only U.S. stop on the IAAF Diamond League in the western hemisphere, a group of former athletes familiar with Hayward Field met a block away from the Prefontaine Classic. Nine men who ran sub-four minute miles from 1956-1970 for the University of Oregon had a reunion and the Oregon Track Club invited the public to attend.

Jm Bailey (3:58.6, 1956), Keith Forman (3:58.3, 1962), Jim Grelle (3:59.9-1962), Archie San Romani (3:57.6, 1964), Roscoe Divine (3:59.1, 1966), Wade Bell (5:39.8, 1966), Arne Kvalheim (3:59.4, 1967), Dave Wilson (3:56.2, 1967) and Steve Savage (3:58.2, 1970) all broke the four minute mile barrier under famed Oregon coach Bill Bowerman. Eleven of his runners would break the barrier, including Dyrol Burleson (3:58.6, 1960) who couldn’t attend for health reasons, and Steve Prefontaine (3:57.4, 1970).

On Friday, friends, families, teammates, and the community were in attendance to hear their stories and see for themselves men who belong to a club more exclusive than those who have climbed Mount Everest. They greeted old teammates, signed autographs, and generally reveled in the occasion while the first floor of the Jaqua Center on the University of Oregon campus was full of people asking questions and asking for autographs.

When the time came for the program and not everyone could see, organizers suggested the idea of moving the men to the second level of the open air lobby, but it was quickly met by protests that some could no longer climb the stairs.

Current Oregon Track Club Elite members Andrew Wheating and Tom Farrell emceed and prompted each with questions. They told stories, shared memories, and still included some ribbing amongst each other.

“I thought [Jim Grelle] would do it before I did. I’m surprised it took him so long,” said Keith Forman. (Grelle broke it April 28, 1962. Forman was May 26, 1962.)

Wade Bell described having a photo on his wall of Dyrol Burleson defeating Stanford’s Ernie Cunliffe in the first sub-four mile at Hayward Field. He explained that, “the reason I even came here was to run a sub-four minute mile.” Bell said he still has that photo.

Wilborn agreed that the ultimate goal and reason for milers to attend Oregon was to break that barrier. Two sets of them set world records in the 4xMile relay and six were eventual Olympians.

“I had some of the best milers in the world as my teammates,” said Wilborn.

Arne Kvalheim was the best in Northern Europe before coming to the U.S.. The Norwegian joked about coming to Oregon only to find he had at least three teammates that were better than him.

Jim Bailey, the oldest of the group and will turn 87 this week, still has his Australian accent. He admits, “I had a lot of attention at University, and then went on into oblivion.” Bailey was the first person to run below four minutes on American soil and the crowd appreciated his description of exactly what happened during his race when no one expected him to beat his countryman, John Landy.

To be part of this group, is something special. Over the years, they have stayed in touch and periodically gathered as a full group. All together in a group, they still act like teammates. They have stayed connected and know each other’s families.

Connor Divine, Roscoe Divine’s son, said, “It’s nice to see the guys.” He’s grown up with them and even refers to Kvalheim like an uncle.

And while they come from different eras, they are still connected by their achievements, their coach and their alma matter.

“I feel a connection to anyone who’s ever come to Oregon and run for Oregon,” said Wilborn speaking to Wheating, a 2010 alum and also a sub-four miler.

Steve Savage explained, “[the sub-four mile] is something you have on your resumé for the rest of your life.”

Author

  • RBR Admin
    RBR Admin

    View all posts

Previous Post

Farah and Kovacs lead the world after Friday Night at Hayward Field

Next Post

Kiprop Snags Fourth Bowerman Mile Win at Pre Classic

RBR Admin

RBR Admin

Similar Post

WC / Day Eight: Relay Madness:  4×1 Sweep For USA, Mondo’s Perfect Game Strikes Gold
Training Tips

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing Program, Week 3, day 1, Monday is an easy day…

September 25, 2023
2022 Berlin Marathon Diary, Eliud Kipchoge all set for Berlin return

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 2, Day 7, the long run is on Sunday

September 25, 2023
Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running
Convos w LE

Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

September 23, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!
Coffee With Larry

Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!

September 23, 2023
Will a win -or anything else- matter for Eliud Kipchoge at the 2023 Berlin Marathon?
World Marathon Majors

Will a win -or anything else- matter for Eliud Kipchoge at the 2023 Berlin Marathon?

September 23, 2023
Coffee with Larry, Nike Pre Classic : Best Edition Ever!
Training Tips

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 2, day 6, a day at the races!

September 23, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

August 27, 2023
An epic pole vault competition

An epic pole vault competition

August 26, 2023
2022 USATF Outdoor Champs: Melissa Jefferson takes the Women’s 100m title in windy 10.69!

The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

February 8, 2023
Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

July 17, 2023
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
2022 Munich Diary, Day Five, a Great Friday Night

2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, The Women’s 60m, who will win the final tonight?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
WC / Day Eight: Relay Madness:  4×1 Sweep For USA, Mondo’s Perfect Game Strikes Gold

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing Program, Week 3, day 1, Monday is an easy day…

September 25, 2023
2022 Berlin Marathon Diary, Eliud Kipchoge all set for Berlin return

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 2, Day 7, the long run is on Sunday

September 25, 2023
Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

September 23, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!

Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!

September 23, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Reborn Sha’Carri Richardson comes back from the brink and is now ready to become the world champion

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
WC / Day Eight: Relay Madness:  4×1 Sweep For USA, Mondo’s Perfect Game Strikes Gold
Training Tips

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing Program, Week 3, day 1, Monday is an easy day…

September 25, 2023
2022 Berlin Marathon Diary, Eliud Kipchoge all set for Berlin return

2023 RunBlogRun Fall Cross Country Training & Racing, Week 2, Day 7, the long run is on Sunday

September 25, 2023
Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running
Convos w LE

Conversations with Larry: Shawnti Jackson signs NIL deal with Brooks Running

September 23, 2023
Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!
Coffee With Larry

Coffee With Larry, Berlin Marathon is tomorrow, US Olympic Trials will be well presented, but hotels and Air BnBs are already charging more!

September 23, 2023

Recent Tweets

Next Post

Kiprop Snags Fourth Bowerman Mile Win at Pre Classic

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist