by RBR AdminThis adds to the Obit we just posted on the late, great Jim Grelle, one of America’s finest milers. We thank Peter John L. Thompson for this amazing view of Jim Grelle, who passed away last week, at the age of 83.
Jim Grelle and Tommy Sullivan, Compton 1961
Jim Grelle – Fact File
Personal Bests
Outdoors
400m 47.5(r) 1958
800m 1:48.4 1958
1500m 3:38.9 1964 New Brunswick NJ
Mile 3:55.4 1965 US Record Vancouver, Canada
2000m 5:07.4 1966 Sydney, Australia
2 Miles 8:25.2 1966 US Record Los Angeles, CA (tie with Jim Ryun)
5000m 14:10.8 1966
Indoors
Mile 3:58.9 1964 Chicago, IL
US Sub-4 Minute Mile Progression
- 3:58.7 Don Bowden Stockton, CA 01 June 1957
- 3:58.6 Dyrol Burleson Eugene, OR 23 April 1960
- 3:58.0 Jim Beatty Modesto, CA 28 May 1960
- 3:59.9 Jim Grelle Walnut, CA 28 April 1962
- 3:58.3 Keith Forman Modesto, CA 26 May 1962
By 1967 Jim Grelle had run the mile under 4 minutes on 21 occasions – the most by any athlete in the world at that time.
US Records
Outdoors
Mile 3:55.4 1965 Vancouver Canada
2 Miles 8:25.2 1966 Los Angeles, CA (tie with Jim Ryun)
Indoors
Mile 4:03.6 1961 Milwaukee, WI
National Championships
1967 USA National Championships Mile 2nd 3:56.1
1966 Australian National Championships 1500m 1st 3:43.3
1966 USA National Indoor Championships Mile 1st 4:09.5
1965 USA National Indoor Championships Mile 1st 4:07.4
1965 USA National Championships Mile 3rd 4:00.6
1964 USA National Championships 1500m 3rd 3:38.9
1962 USA National Championships Mile 2nd 3:58.1
1961 USA National Championships Mile 3rd 4:08.0
1960 USA National Championships 1500m 1st 3:42.7
1959 NCAA Championships Mile 1st 4:03.9
1958 NCAA Championships Mile 2nd 4:04.8
1957 NCAA Championships Mile 2nd 4:07.1
International Championships
1963 Pan-American Games, Sao Paulo 1500m 1st 3:43.62
1962 Pan-American Games, Chicago 1500m 2nd 3:49.9
1960 Olympic Games, Rome 1500m 8th 3:45.0 (Heat 3:43.5)
Video Links
Grelle 1 (In his own words, December 2016)
Jim Grelle discusses the highlights of his track career, including the 1960 Rome Olympics and American Records in the mile and two-mile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VUuUiCuZig
In the 1960s there was no YouTube, FLOtrack, RunnerSpace or Vinco, nor computers even. The television had only recently been invented and not all homes were in possession of one of these magical boxes. Most news was obtained from newspapers, combined with the weekly trip to the local cinema to view the Pathé News.
The following YouTube and Pathé News archival video links capture the essence of the era providing an opportunity to view Jim Grelle running at his best, on the cinder tracks and indoor boards.
Los Angeles Indoor Track Meet. (1966) РBritish Path̩
The invitation mile with its star attraction of Kipchoge Keino but due to it being his first outing on the boards he is beaten to first place on the last lap by the U.S. miler Jim Grelle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfQMdnaDsdU
Jim Ryun (1st) versus Peter Snell (2nd) 1965 (AAU Mile Final with Jim Grelle (3rd))
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E-R97LShwA
Peter Snell (1st) – Jim Grelle (2nd) – Jim Ryun (3rd) – Balboa Stadium Athletics 1965
Compton Mile invitational
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzTiEjWDTW4
Britain vs US Р1965 Indoor Track РBritish Path̩
Various shots men’s mile race: John Whetton (UK), Jim Grelle (USA), Alan Simpson (UK) and Vic Zowalaky (USA) compete. M/S Willie White (USA) long jumping. John Whetton, the eventual winner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQJZuNFNHA4
America Beats Russia In Athletics Match (1964) РBritish Path̩
Los Angeles Colisseum, Los Angeles, United States of America. 1500 metres race won by American Jim Grelle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYZQmihl-yM
US Athletics In Los Angeles Indoor Meet (1963) РBritish Path̩
Various shots of start and finish of the mile race won by Jim Grelle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEZCRs0Y_uM
First Indoor Under 4 Minute Mile (1962) РBritish Path̩
Indoor athletic meeting at Memorial Sports Arena in Los Angeles – mile race in progress. The race is won by Jim Beatty who clocks 3 minutes 58.9. The three other Los Angeles Track Club athletes, including Jim Grelle had agreed to help him to break 4 minute mile barrier by setting tempo and encouraging him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRX4ljo7ffw
The Unbeatable Herb Elliot – Men’s 1,500m in the Rome 1960 Olympics
8th Jim Grelle, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EBlQEoH-5U
