This is an audio interview that I did with 3-time Olympian Mark Croghan, one of our finest middle-distance runners of the 1990s, who took 5th in the 1995 Olympic final at the steeple, with a PB of 8:09.76.
Mark Croghan was one of the finest steeplechasers in American history. Mark competed in the 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997 World Championships, his best performance in Stuttgart 1993, where, placing fifth, Mr. Croghan ran 8:09.76, just a smidge off the iconic AR of Henry March, set in 1983. In Athens in 1997, Mark placed sixth in the WC final.
In his Olympic appearances, in 1992, 1996, and 2000, Mark Croghan made one final, in 1996, where he placed fifth in front of the home crowd in Atlanta.
Mark Croghan competed against some fine steeplers domestically, among them, Marc Davis, Robert Gary, and Pasqual Dobert. Croghan was a fine hurdler and tough competitor.
After his racing days, Mark Croghan coached at Ohio State from 1991-39, University from 2001-2006, and Kent State, from 2007-2019. Mark Croghan retired from coaching to spend more time with his family.
Mark Croghan was from an iconic time in American distance running, competing in the steeple against the Europeans and the Africans, Mark held his own and pushed fine athletes, including himself to their limits.
Mark Croghan had PBs of 3:39.05 at 1,500 meters, 8:09.76 for the 3000m steeplechase, and 13:44.09 for the 5,000 meters. Mark also had a PB over 3,000m flat of 7:52.19. His differentiation of PBs of 17 seconds between 3000m flat and steeplechase give just a hint of his fine hurdling technique.
We thank Mark for this interview, he was thoughtful, with a sense of humor, and an example of what has been great about American track & field: the athletes.
Best Steeplechaser in American History!!
Thanks Wendy! Appreciate the comment son Mark Croghan. Great steeplechaser and wonderful interview!
Wendy, are the chair person of the Mark Croghan fan club? :). I loved Mark’s racing and he was on our cover in 1994 on American Track & Field, one of my favorite covers EVER.
Mark Croghan was one of our finest American distance runners in an event that has had some true stars (George Young, Horace Ashenfelter, Brian Diemer, Henry Marsh, Mark Croghan) in the steeplechase, an event that requires speed and agility. Croghan got it!