1st Sub 4 min mile

ecoli

While most people know the names of Roger Bannister and John Landy as the two men who redefined athletics in the 50s there was another man who does not seem to be as well known
Wes Santee of the US was arguably the most likely to break the four min mile first in perfect conditions. Due to college commitments most of his racing included 3-4 races per meets (Mile, 880y, Distance Medley Relay and 4 x 1 mile). His first attempt fully rested in a decent field ; 4.00.5
His arguments with the AAU ultimately ended his career

Wes Santee died this week at the age of 78 and is arguably an unsung hero of the sport

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/14/2431055/kansas-track-star-wes-santee-dies.html

RoyMcC

Yes, Santee could just as easily have been the legend - or indeed Hagg or Andersson of Sweden.

Or James Parrott in 1770

Woddle

RoyMcC wrote: »

Yes, Santee could just as easily have been the legend - or indeed Hagg or Andersson of Sweden.

Or James Parrott in 1770

Really enjoyed that, thanks.

RoyMcC

Didn't Santee make a guest appearance at the Morton Mile in 2008?

ecoli

RoyMcC wrote: »

Didn't Santee make a guest appearance at the Morton Mile in 2008?

I think it was Elliot as it was commemorating the 50th anniversary of his record

An interesting side note to this is the fact that 2 stadiums in the same city holding Mile world records (one of which still stands i think???). Not a bad achievement for a country which doesnt have a top class meeting here here anymore

BeepBeep67

RoyMcC wrote: »

Yes, Santee could just as easily have been the legend - or indeed Hagg or Andersson of Sweden.

Or James Parrott in 1770

Auld fellahs and their suspect PB's .
Great lunch time read thanks - anyone want to challenge me to a naked race around Shanganagh this evening .

RoyMcC

ecoli wrote: »

An interesting side note to this is the fact that 2 stadiums in the same city holding Mile world records (one of which still stands i think???). Not a bad achievement for a country which doesnt have a top class meeting here here anymore

Intrigued now - which was the second?

(I notice that, back in the 1860s, several world records were set in Dublin. Where would those have been set - Trinity maybe)?

ecoli

BeepBeep67 wrote: »

Auld fellahs and their suspect PB's .
Great lunch time read thanks - anyone want to challenge me to a naked race around Shanganagh this evening .

My thoughts exactly. was the course accurately measured??:D

ecoli

RoyMcC wrote: »

Intrigued now - which was the second?

(I notice that, back in the 1860s, several world records were set in Dublin. Where would those have been set - Trinity maybe)?

4x1 mile WR in Belfield AFAIK this still stands was an attempt on it last year or year before in US including Kenyan team but i think they didnt manage to break it.
If it hasnt been broken it is one of the longest standing records (1977)

shels4ever

ecoli wrote: »

4x1 mile WR in Belfield AFAIK this still stands was an attempt on it last year or year before in US including Kenyan team but i think they didnt manage to break it.
If it hasnt been broken it is one of the longest standing records (1977)

was almost sure that was set in '85 ??

ecoli

shels4ever wrote: »

was almost sure that was set in '85 ??

Right you are. Got it mixed up with something else and for the life of me cant figure out what:p

Burgman

ecoli wrote: »

4x1 mile WR in Belfield AFAIK this still stands was an attempt on it last year or year before in US including Kenyan team but i think they didnt manage to break it.
If it hasnt been broken it is one of the longest standing records (1977)

Actually it was 17 August 1985. I just found a link on YouTube to the highlights. Had never seen it before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpnFS62KVlM

Worth a look to see: John Treacy chasing Eamonn Coghlan to the line in 4min 1 second; Marcus O'Sullivan, Frank O'Mara, Ray Flynn all running unbelievably fast; the crowd going berserk; Frank Greally of the Irish Runner behind the team during an interview; Goal stickers over the adidas logo on the runners' vests as the lads didn't have a deal with adidas at the time but adidas gave some free gear for the event; and my own personal highlight - I can be seen for a split second!! Wait till I tell the kids. More than 25 years ago - imagine.

TheRoadRunner

Burgman wrote: »

Frank Greally of the Irish Runner behind the team during an interview;

Great viewing. What is it with Greally, I've seen dozen of interviews and his mallet pops up in the background, the latest one was the interview with the ladies winner of DCM on Setanta. Must like seeing himself on television !!!!

shels4ever

I just love the way Coghlan talks about his run on the day.

ecoli

Burgman wrote: »

Actually it was 17 August 1985. I just found a link on YouTube to the highlights. Had never seen it before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpnFS62KVlM

Worth a look to see: John Treacy chasing Eamonn Coghlan to the line in 4min 1 second; Marcus O'Sullivan, Frank O'Mara, Ray Flynn all running unbelievably fast; the crowd going berserk; Frank Greally of the Irish Runner behind the team during an interview; Goal stickers over the adidas logo on the runners' vests as the lads didn't have a deal with adidas at the time but adidas gave some free gear for the event; and my own personal highlight - I can be seen for a split second!! Wait till I tell the kids. More than 25 years ago - imagine.

Here are the splits frome the team:

Eamonn Coghlan 4:00.2,
Marcus O’Sullivan 3:55.3,
Frank O’Mara 3:56.6,
Ray Flynn 3:56.98

Only older record i could find than this is the 4 x 1500m eight years previous (that was where i was getting the 1977:D)

thirtyfoot

ecoli wrote: »

4x1 mile WR in Belfield AFAIK this still stands was an attempt on it last year or year before in US including Kenyan team but i think they didnt manage to break it.
If it hasnt been broken it is one of the longest standing records (1977)

I raced that day too, our relay won too but wasn't a world record!

Highlight, aside from the WR, was Kelly hammering Roche in a pursuit race on the track.