Questions: Bob Kennedy, XC & other TF champs

[Master Po]

Even though this starts with a current event, these are really historical questions, so I'm posting them here.

When Bob Kennedy won USA XC championships (long course, in this case) on Sunday, the Associated Press reported, of the gap between his championships from 1992 to 2004, that "no runner from the US has won XC titles so many years apart." I've followed BK's career closely, but it turns out not closely enough because this was a surprising reminder -- even though he's represented US several times internationally (XC and track) he's only won 2 XC titles (post-NCAA). I would have guessed more than 2. Now I know.

So, here are the Questions:

1: Are there other comparable gaps between titles (US or other nations) for XC or TF performers -- any event?

2: As I tried to look up BK's XC record, I realized I don't have a good resource (print or online) for US and World XC, other than USATF's list of champions in the US XC meet. I have decent resources for TF. Anyone have a good resource for US and world XC historical info -- print or online? That is, other than a closet full of TFN...

3: As I looked at USATF's list of champions (it's on their site, under "records and lists") in the US meet, back in the pre-1930s there are international performers winning the title in what is now the US meet. (E.g, Hannes Kolehmainen/1914 & Willi Ritola/several in 1920s) Can someone who knows the history of this meet fill in some details on its history and evolution from what looks like an open/intl race to a strictly national championships race?

Thanks -- I am always amazed and entertained by what those of you who post historical info know.

[MJR]

Re: Questions: Bob Kennedy, XC & other TF champs

Offhand I can't give specifics, but there are quite a few RWers who have gone 10 yrs (or more) between Championships. Its probably more prevalent in the distances and throws than the sprints and jumps.

[dj]

Re: Questions: Bob Kennedy, XC & other TF champs

As I
>looked at USATF's list of champions (it's on their site, under "records and
>lists") in the US meet, back in the pre-1930s there are international
>performers winning the title in what is now the US meet. (E.g, Hannes
>Kolehmainen/1914 & Willi Ritola/several in 1920s) Can someone who knows the
>history of this meet fill in some details on its history and evolution from
>what looks like an open/intl race to a strictly national championships
>race?

Can't fill in much, but Kolehmainen and Ritola were full-time US residents when they were winning their US titles, as was George Orton before them. In fact, Paavo Nurmi complained to the Finnish federation in 1924 that they shouldn't be allowing Ritola to compete since he wasn't a resident of Finland.

[trackhead]

Re: Questions: Bob Kennedy, XC & other TF champs

As far as I know, AAU (and later TAC) championship races were open to anyone that met the standard (if necessary) and paid the fee. This ended at the inception of USATF where it became a US-only event.

[hj197steve]

Re: Questions: Bob Kennedy, XC & other TF champs

when did they move it from November to February, and also, when did they institute the shorter companion race ?

[Master Po]

Re: Questions: Bob Kennedy, XC & other TF champs

Not sure about the move from Nov to Feb, but the 2-race (long course & short course) championship started in 1999, according to USATF's list. Long course only through 1997 (a few early; years where no race contested at all); short course only in 1998; both from 1999 on.

[gh]

Re: Questions: Bob Kennedy, XC & other TF champs

>As far as I know, AAU (and later TAC) championship races were open to anyone
>that met the standard (if necessary) and paid the fee. This ended at the
>inception of USATF where it became a US-only event.>>

In a quick peek at old results, I don't find any foreign men after it became USATF, but did find a woman in '94 (the second year as USATF)