by RBR Admin
Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service (wmurphy25@aol.com)
This Day in Track & Field-May 9
1925–From the NY Times Archives: “Paavo Nurmi and his American trainer and adviser, Hugo Quist, along with Willie Ritola, a Finnish-American A.C. distance runner, were exonerated in the Amateur Athletic Union’s investigation of the charges of demanding excessive expenses for competitions in the Middle West, according to the decision of the A.A.U. committee which investigated the charges, made public yesterday by Secretary Frederick W. Rubien, who is also Chairman of the A.A.U.”
1953— Parry O’Brien got the first of his ten official World Records in the Shot Put with his winning toss of 59-3/4 (18.00m) at the West Coast Relays in Fresno, California. Showing great concentration, O’Brien got his record put just as the Fresno State marching band started playing the National Anthem.
WR Progression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men’s_shot_put_world_record_progression
1964–Dallas Long bettered his American Record in the Shot Put (65-11 ½ [20.10]) with his winning toss of 66-7 ¼ (20.30) at the West Coast Relays in Fresno, California. However, the mark was never submitted to the IAAF for World Record consideration, since the throwing circle didn’t have a raised rim.
1970—The Heptagonal Championships, the annual meet that brought together the 8 Ivy League schools and teams from the U.S. Naval Academy and West Point, became known more for what happened off the track than on.
Taking place just 5 days after 4 Kent State students were shot and killed by National Guardsmen, and in the midst of anti-(Vietnam) war sentiments on campuses throughout the U.S., planned protests at the meet by some Ivy athletes led to the withdrawal of the Army and Navy teams.
Harvard captain Keith Colburn, who helped the Crimson win the team title, later wrote: “Joyless is the perfect word to describe the 1970 Outdoor Heps. I still feel badly, if not guilty, about that day and the fact that too many athletes and two teams did not compete. There should have been a way to avoid a breakdown.”
Results: https://hepstrack.wordpress.com/outdoor-heps/mens-outdoor-heps-team-scores/the-1970s/1970-2/
NY Times Coverage
https://www.nytimes.com/1970/05/11/archives/heptagonals-meet-with-many-sides.html
1975–Running in the qualifying round in the Florida AA State meet,18-year old high school phenom Houston McTear ran 9.0 to equal Ivory Crockett’s world record in the 100-yard dash. McTear made the U.S. Olympic team the following year when he was a senior, but an injury kept him out of the 1976 Games in Montreal.
McTear, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 58, was inducted into the National H.S. Track & Field Hall of Fame in March, 2020.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_McTear
Sports Illustrated Vault: https://vault.si.com/vault/1975/05/05/tearing-his-way-up-from-nowhere
HOF Introduction (Facebook)
Interview with his brothers: Part I Part II (Facebook)
1976—East Germany’s Christina Brehmer became the first woman to break 50-seconds in the 400-meters by running 49.77 in Dresden. She would win silver in the 400, gold in the 4×400, later in the year at the Montreal Olympics.
WR Progression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_400_metres_world_record_progression
1980—Great Britain’s Steve Ovett (3:38.7) won the 1500-meters at the Manley Games in Kingston, Jamaica, over Tanzania’s Filbert Bayi (3:39.5). Finishing 3rd in 3:42.6 was Gene McCarthy, who had been training with Marty Liquori in Gainesville. Liquori was originally scheduled to compete in the race, but was injured and convinced meet director John Carlos(!) to give McCarthy a chance.
The native New Yorker had always dreamed of running a sub-4 mile and moved to Gainesville (at Liquori’s invitation) after graduating from Fordham University to train in pursuit of his goal. He never did break 4-minutes, but he took some consolation in knowing that his 3:42.6 in Kingston was a rough equivalent.
He went on to become a leading executive in the running shoe industry and released his book—Chasing Four (A Personal History of Work and Play) in 2024.
https://www.amazon.com/CHASING-FOUR-Personal-History-Work/dp/B0CZ9Q588X
2009–With three members of the team running sub-4 splits, a University of Oregon foursome of Matthew Centrowitz (3:59.5), Andrew Wheating (3:59.6), Kenyan Shadrack Biwott (4:05.2), and Galen Rupp (3:58.9) ran 16:03.24 on their home-track in Eugene to break Michigan’s 4-year old Collegiate Record of 16:04.54.
Aided by a rabbit for the first two laps of the race, and pressured by the Oregon TC for most of the 2nd leg, the Ducks added another chapter to the school’s glorious history as more than 2,000 fans circled the track in the outer lanes at Hayward Field. (Record was broken at the 2024 Penn Relays)
The Oregon TC Elite team finished 2nd in 16:25.92 (Tom Brooks-4:01.8, Steven Pifer-4:04.2, Russell Brown-4:05.5, Gabe Jennings-4:14.4).
Runnerspace Video: http://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?do=view&video_id=11986
Goducks.com: http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=3736244
2014—Hellen Obiri (8:20.68) beat fellow Kenyan Mercy Cherono (8:21.14) in the 3000-meters at the Diamond League meet in Doha. Discounting the questionable marks that were posted by several Chinese runners in 1993, those were the two fastest outdoor times in history at the time. Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, who had set a World Indoor Record of 8:16.60 in February, could only finish 6th in this incredibly deep race.
1.Hellen Obiri KEN 8:20.68
2.Mercy Cherono KEN 8:21.14
3.Faith Kipyegon KEN 8:23.55
4.Viola Kibiwot KEN 8:24.41
5.Almaz Ayana ETH 8:24.58
6.Genezebe Dibaba ETH 8:26.21
7.Irene Jelagat KEN 8:28.51
Last 200: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa3w97rn5io&list=PLjudi9qOK4sF0jygP8Kk4gSmsMQloCK_r&index=15
2021—After clocking 10.74 in her heat, Sha’Carri Richardson, running into a headwind (-1.2), won the Women’s 100-Meters in 10.76 at the Golden Games, the first meet held at Mt.SAC’s renovated facility in Walnut,CA (No spectators).
Rai Benjamin beat a strong field to win the Men’s 400-Meter Hurdles in 47.13, equal to the 4th fastest time ever run by an American (at the time). Setting National Records behind him were Kyron McMaster (BVI-47.50) and Alison dos Santos (BRA-47.68). Benjamin and dos Santos would win silver and bronze, respectively, at the Tokyo Olympics later in the year. (McMaster was 4th).
In other highlights, Elle Purrier-St.Pierre won the Women’s 1500 with a personal best time of 3:58.36, Noah Lyles won the Men’s 200 in 19.90, and Michael Norman won the Men’s 400 in 44.40.
Results: https://results.usatf.org/2021goldengames/
W100: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VPFWlf5i4E
Full Meet Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWgu0Tp_TLE
Hilmer Lodge Stadium: https://www.mtsacathletics.com/video/Hilmer_Lodge_Stadium_Dronin-_in_4K
Born On This Day
Elise Cranny 29 (1996) Finalist in the 5000-Meters at the 2021 (13th) & 2024 (11th) Olympics
9th at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships; 12th in the 10,000 in 2023
Won the 5000 at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials
Set an American Indoor Record of 14:33.17 for 5000-Meters in February, 2022
2014 U.S. Junior X-Country Champion;
All-American was 5th in the Mile at the 2018 NCAA Indoor Championships, 3rd in the 1500 outdoors, 2nd in the
1500 Outdoors in 2016; 2nd in the 3000 at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Championships;
Helped Stanford win the 4×1500 at the 2015 Penn Relays.
Ran 2:04.81 and 4:10.95 (#6 All-Time) in 2014 as a high school senior
PBs:
800: 2:00.25 (‘23)
1500: 3:57.87 (’24)
1500(i): 4:02.85 (‘25/#6 A-T U.S.)
Mile: 4:16.47 (’23/#3 A-T U.S.)
Mile(i): 4:20.83i (‘25/#6 A-T U.S.)
2000: 5:37.24/2k (‘23/#3 A-T U.S.)
2000(i): 5:40.15 (‘23/#3 A-T U.S.),
3000: 8:25.10 (’25/NR, #3 A-T U.S./Indoor/outdoor)
3000(i): 8:29.87 (’25), #8 A-T U.S.
2-Mile: 9:22.44 (’20)
5000: 14:40.36 (’20)
5000 (i): 14:33.17i (’22/NR/#4 A-T U.S./in-out)
10,000: 30:14.66 (’22/#3 A-T U.S.):
2025 SB: 30:36.6
https://www.womensrunning.com/culture/people/elise-cranny-changing-of-the-guard/
Stanford Bio: http://www.gostanford.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=11047
2015 Penn Relays:
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/147105
https://www.instagram.com/elise.cranny/?hl=en
Laura Muir-Great Britain/Scotland 32 (1993) 2021 Olympic silver medalist—1500m (2016-7th, 2024-5th)
5-time finalist at the World Championships—won bronze in 2022 (‘15-5th, ‘17-4th [6th-5000], ‘19-5th, ‘23-6th)
2-time medalist at the 2018 World Indoor Championships-1500 (silver), 3000 (bronze)
2-time European Champion-1500 (2018, 2022)
5-time European Indoor Champion—2017 (1500,3000), 2019 (1500,3000), 2023 (1500)
Winner of the Wanamaker Mile at the 2023 Millrose Games…won the 2-mile in 2024
PBs/NR-National Record, ER-European Record):
800: 1:56.73 (’21), 1:58.44i (’20),
1000: 2:30.82 (’20NR/#7 All-Time); 1000 (i): 2:31.93i (’17ER/#2 A-T),
1500: 3:53.37 (’25); 1500 (i) 3:59.58iNR (’21/#10 A-T),
Mile: 4:15.24(’23/#7 A-T); Mile (i): 4:18.75i (‘17NR/#9 A-T),
3000: 8:30.53 (’22)l 3000 (i): 8:26.41i (‘17/ER),
2-Miles: 9:04.84iER (’24/#2 A-T Ind/#4 A-T/Ind-Out)
5000: 14:52.07 (’17)
5000 (i): 14:49.12i (‘17NR);
2025 SB: 8:50.16i
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laura_Muir
https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a37048889/athlete-laura-muir/
2021 OG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Uzj2Zg1_w
2023 Millrose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNG9k9OWZs4
2024 Millrose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXZl2Sp0igk
Tegla Loroupe—Kenya 52 (1973) 3-time World Champion—1/2-marathon (1997-1999)
2-time bronze medalist in the 10,000 at the World Championships(’95,’99)
3-time Olympian—1992(10k-17th), 1996(10k-6th), 2000(10k-5th, Marathon-13th)
Was the first African women to win a major marathon…among her wins: NY City (‘94,’95)
London (’00), Berlin (’99), Rotterdam (’97-’99)
PBs: 14:45.95 (’00), 30:32.03 (’99), 67:12 (’96), 2:20:43 (’99)
Founder of the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/72718
Wiki Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tegla_Loroupe
NYRR Hall of Fame: http://www.nyrr.org/about-us/nyrr-hall-of-fame/tegla-loroupe
NY Times (2006): http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/18/world/africa/18tegla.html?ref=topics&_r=0
Marie-José Pérec–France 57 (1968) 3-time Olympic gold medalist—1992 (400), 1996 (200,400)…2nd woman to win
the 200-400 double at the same Olympics—Valerie Brisco was the first in 1984.
Left Sydney in 2000 before trying to defend her title. (See link)
Set the current Olympic Record of 48.25 (#3 All-Time[at the time]) in Atlanta in 1996.
2-time World Champion—400m (1991,1995);
PBs:21.99 (1993), 35.00 (#4 All-Time World, 48.25 (1996/#5 All-Time World)
Wiki Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-José_Pérec
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/67993 http://www.olympic.org/marie-jose-perec
Leaving Sydney: https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/22/news/why-did-french-runner-run-away.html
Steve Spence 63 (1962) Bronze medalist 1991 World Championships—Marathon; PBs: 28:27.26(’88), 2:12:17(’90)
1992 U.S. Olympian—Marathon (12th)
Head X-Country coach at Shippensburg University; Daughter Neely won 8 NCAA Div.II titles while being coached by
her dad at Shippensburg
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/79076
http://shipraiders.com/coaches.aspx?rc=870&path=wxc
Dave Johnson 74 (1951) Was the Penn Relays Director from 1996—2021 (longest tenured Director at Penn)…was the
assistant/associate Director from 1989-1995; He served as the Honorary Referee at the 2022 Relays,
and the College Men’s Distance Medley Relay now bears his name!
Statistician at T&F News from 1979-1987; Distance runner at Swarthmore College;
He was the recipient of the inaugural TAFWA Bob Hersh Award at the 2023 Penn Relays for a lifetime of service
to the sport.
2019 Interview: https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/world-famous-penn-relays-directed-dave-johnson
From the 2022 Penn Relays Program
(w/Sanya Richards-Ross)
Deceased
Ralph Boston 83 (1939-April 30, 2023) Won a full set of Olympic medals—Long Jump (1960-gold, 1964-silver, 1968-
bronze)
Set six World Records between 1960 and 1965. His first, 26-11 (8.21/1960), broke Jesse Owens’s 25 year old
mark of 26-8 (8.13/1935). And it was his final record of 27-4 ¾ (8.35/shared by the Soviet Union’s Igor Ter-
Ovanesyan) that Bob Beamon broke when he jumped 29-2 ½ (8.90) in Mexico City in 1968. (Boston actually
jumped 27-5 at the Modesto Relays in 1965, but the mark was ratified by the IAAF as 8.35-meters, which
converts to 27-4 ¾!)
6-time U.S. Champion (1961-1966); 3-time U.S. Indoor Champion(’61,’63,’65).
1965 U.S. Indoor Champion—60y-hurdles;
An all-around talent, he was twice world-ranked in the 110m/120y-hurdles by T&F News (1961-#5, 1963-#10)
And he made the top-10 U.S. rankings in the Triple Jump 3 times (1963-#4, 1964-#8, 1965-#10)…he was also
4th in the High Jump at the 1963 Pan-American Games!
Other PBs: 120yH – 13.7 (‘61); HJ – 6-8½ (2.04) (‘62); PV – 13-8 (4.16) (1960); TJ – 52-1½
(15.89) (‘64); JT – 169-0 (51.51) (‘59)
Inducted into the U.S. Hall of Fame in 1974.
Tributes:
NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/01/sports/olympics/ralph-boston-dead.html
USATF: https://www.usatf.org/news/2023/usatf-mourns-passing-of-long-jump-legend-ralph-bos
https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2023/04/30/ralph-boston-dead/
Tennessee State: https://twitter.com/TSU_Tigers/status/1652733431241928704
A Tweet From Carl Lewis
“I’m devastated about Ralph Boston’s passing. As a child I idolized him and he was a major influence in my life. I’ll miss his voice and support. He changed the game as an athlete, advocate and mentor. Jumpers, Know his name!!! Rest with the greats.”
Reflections (from 2016): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKCiGFGLu48
Biography: https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=tsu-olympians
Collegiate HOF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GBf1t1QR8w
WR Progression: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_jump_world_record_progression
https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/78130
I worked with Ralph on a TV broadcast or two in the 1980s. A few years ago at NY’s Armory, I was told his niece Mikayla
was there to compete in one of the H.S. races. I introduced myself and told her I knew her uncle. As I’m about to leave a few
hours later, I see her again and she hands her phone to me! Ralph was on the line and it was great catching up for a few
minutes.
He then asked about the possibility of getting copies of the original field event cards that were used when he set his six
World Records. I told him that would be a difficult task, but I suggested that the official record applications might be
available. As soon as I got home, I reached out to Bob Hersh, who worked his magic with his IAAF connections and was
able to pass along all of the applications and the related paperwork! Ralph’s excited response after downloading all of the
material—” I am as pleased about what I have as I am about the medals!!”.
He eventually planned to have everything mounted on his wall, but he sent a photo of an early display. (see below). “When visitors see six WR applications, they’re stunned. Truthfully, so am I!! Six was not bad huh?”
