biggest gap between Americans [split]

[Conor Dary]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Probably didn't but most reports credit an ongoing sciatica problem as hampering Edelen's efforts in Tokyo.

I think Edelen is a very underrated American distance runner. His bio, "A Cold Clear Day" is a great read (by Frank Murphy). As someone who gets to vote for the USATF Hall of Fame I've been picking him yearly in the veterans' category but without much success (DJ???)

Great to hear about your support for Edelen for the HofF.

I knew about the sciatica problem that ended his career. But I think it is hard to overestimate the disaster Yonkers might have done to Edelen in getting ready for Tokyo, where he did run a fine race.

A Clear Cold Day is a fine read.

And to dj I would rank Edelen number one on your list.

[dj]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Among the marathoners not in the HoF are Edelen, Clarence DeMar, Johnny Hayes and John Kelley (Younger).

I'll bet we'd come up with only one of these clearly separated from the other three if we put it out there for a ranked order. Have at it, folks!

[gh]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Edelen may be HOF material, but there are many people ahead of him (on my list) who deserve to get in ahead of him.

[kuha]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

I think Edelen is a very underrated American distance runner. His bio, "A Cold Clear Day" is a great read (by Frank Murphy). As someone who gets to vote for the USATF Hall of Fame I've been picking him yearly in the veterans' category but without much success (DJ???)

Boy, he's a clear Hall-of-Famer in my book....(so to speak)...

[bambam]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Yes, the infamous 1964 Death March. Started at noon. Edelen won by 20 minutes. Sub 2:20 runner Norm Higgins got woozy and ran into a tree. A truly horrible day, that probably didn't help Edelen in Tokyo where he was 6th.

Probably didn't but most reports credit an ongoing sciatica problem as hampering Edelen's efforts in Tokyo.

I think Edelen is a very underrated American distance runner. His bio, "A Cold Clear Day" is a great read (by Frank Murphy). As someone who gets to vote for the USATF Hall of Fame I've been picking him yearly in the veterans' category but without much success (DJ???)

[MJR]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Trevor Barron is 6:00 faster @ 20km than any other US walker from 2010 performances.

[LopenUupunut]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Guessing Jesse Owens had a pretty big gap in lj.

Not really. Bob Beamon did, though. :wink:

[Bruce Kritzler]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Jackie Joyner-Kersee in heptathlon.
Jenn Suhr in pv
Guessing Jesse Owens had a pretty big gap in lj.

[bambam]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Jim Ryun in 1966 and 1967; 3:51 and change , was anyone in the U.S within 4 seconds of him. Related to Buddy, I believe that he ran all of his fast marathon times outside the United States.

He did, but his most dominating performance in the US was the 1964 Olympic Trials race at Yonkers - held in brutal heat in May of all times, he ran 2-24:25.6 to win, with second American John J Kelley at 2-44:46.4 (in third). (Adolf Gruber [AUT] ran and finished second, but also over 2-44)

[Conor Dary]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Yes, the infamous 1964 Death March. Started at noon. Edelen won by 20 minutes. Sub 2:20 runner Norm Higgins got woozy and ran into a tree. A truly horrible day, that probably didn't help Edelen in Tokyo where he was 6th.

[slowcat]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Regarding your comment of Buddy Edelen and his 1964 Olympic Trials win at Yonkers. He ran 2:24. It was at least 95F that day and probably felt like 120 F. It was a disastrous day for long distance running.

[Conor Dary]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Jim Ryun in 1966 and 1967; 3:51 and change , was anyone in the U.S within 4 seconds of him. Related to Buddy, I believe that he ran all of his fast marathon times outside the United States.

Edelen ran the first US sub 2:20 at Fukuoka in 1962, Tokyo in 64 and the Trials in Yonkers, NY in 64. All the others were in Europe, primarily the UK where he taught secondary school. Injuries ended his career in 1965 at 27.

As for the US, outside of Boston in those days there weren't many places to run a high quality competitive marathon. As late as Jan. 1971 the all time total number of US sub 2:20 performances, in the US, outside of Boston, was 4.

[dj]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Warmerdam's gaps since his first AL season:

1940, 5"+, 15-1 1/8 - 14-8
1941, 10"+, 15-5 3/4 - 14-7
1942, 13"+, 15-7 3/4 - 14-6
1943, 14"+, 15-8 1/2 - 14-6
1944, 11", 15-0 - 14-1

[Per Andersen]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Warmerdam was way ahead of anybody in the world from the early 40's until the mid 50's.

In the early 40's he had almost a 10 inch gap to anybody else.

[slowcat]

Re: biggest gap between Americans [split]

Jim Ryun in 1966 and 1967; 3:51 and change , was anyone in the U.S within 4 seconds of him. Related to Buddy, I believe that he ran all of his fast marathon times outside the United States.