The video below is from a track meet being held in Hawaii during the summer of 1969. I love that films like this are available to watch. Though there are only four runners in the two mile race on an old cinder track, look at who they are;
Steve Prefontaine- 18yr old, just graduated from high school and in three years will be our star 5k Olympic medal contender.
Frank Shorter - In three years will win the gold medal in the marathon and 1976 follow that up with a silver.
Marty Liquori - A year before, as a high school senior was only the third high school student to run under 4 minutes for the mile. Marty was a 1968 Olympian, finishing 12th in the 1,500m race (with a stress fracture). Eventually ranked #1 in world for 1,500m '69 and '71, 4x American record holder, ran a 13:00 5k, had mile pr of 3:52.
Gerry Lindgren - Ran a 13:44 5k in high school, a record that stood for 40 years. Still holds 2 mile high school record (8:40) for American born student. 9th in 1964 Olympics (just after graduating high school), set 6mile world record in 1965 along with Olympian Billy Mills. A mysterious man, Gerry disappeared from the running scene for a long time.
The clock on the screen is weird, counting up from 35 minutes.
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