Historic Two Mile Race

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.

Airport 5k Race

The Airport 5k, benefiting Lifetime Assistance, is being held on Saturday, June 23. Register online through the race website or active.com. This unique course gives runners the opportunity to race on a runway at the Greater Rochester International Airport.

This year Olympic champion Frank Shorter (marathon winner 1972, silver medalist 1976) will be on hand, giving a motivational speech before the race, starting the 5k race and presenting awards. Mr. Shorter still competes today, continuing to inspire runners thirty years after the first running boom.

Lifetime Assistance provides services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Currently they serve over 2,000 people in our area, offering residential services, day services, employment, family support, transportation and community services.

Just how many are doping for the weekend? Races struggle with weekend warriors’ use of drugs in their events.

This link is to an interesting story about age groupers in running and triathlon races possibly using drugs. Frank Shorter, who founded the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is, of course, heavily involved in this debate.