Today's runners should know who paved the way

I realize the “Running Boom” done boomed, and I’ll be the first to tell you I can’t name a single American distance runner in the past 20 years. Well, except for Galen Rupp, who became the first U.S. man to take the podium since 1964 after winning the silver medal in the 10,000 meters at the London Games in 2012.

But over the course of the high school cross country season I tend to bring up ancient history to the strapping lads and young ladies going the distance here in the Columbia Basin.

“Ever heard of Bill Rodgers?” “What about Alberto Salazar? No, huh? How about Jim Ryun? Mary Decker or Francie Larrieu Smith?

“OK, OK, I know you know this one, Steve Prefontaine? How can you not have of heard of Pre?”

I realize all those runners competed in the Year BT (before Twitter). You’d think I was asking them, “Who played bass for the Grateful Dead?” Who? Not the Who, the Dead.

Getting out and watching the Eisenhower kids run tough in the final Columbia Basin Big Nine meet of the year stirred those memories when Americans ran with the world and won.

OK, here’s the nut graph kiddos.

- Bill Rodgers: A former American record holder in the marathon had four victories in the Boston Marathon, including three straight (1978-80) and the New York City Marathon (1976-80).

- Jim Ryun: In 1964, as a high school junior, Ryun became the first high school athlete to run a mile in under 4 minutes (3:59.0). His time of 3:55.3 in 1965 was a high school record that stood for 36 years until Alan Webb’s 3:53.43 in 2001. Ryun ran a sub-four mile five times while in high school. He was a three-time Olympian and is still the youngest American male track athlete to ever qualify for the Olympics.

- Mary Decker: During her career, she won gold medals in the 1,500 and 3,000 meters at the 1983 World Championships, and was the world record holder in the mile, 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Decker set 17 official and unofficial world records, including being the first woman in history to run less than 4:20 in the mile. Her 1,500 meter-record stood for 32 years.

- Steve Prefontaine: Pre once held the American record in seven different distance track events from the 2,000 to the 10,000 meters. In his four years at Oregon, Prefontaine never lost an NCAA race at 3 miles, 5,000 meters, 6 miles, or 10,000 meters.

- Gerry Lindgren: He held national high-school records in the 1,500 meters, 3,000 meters, mile, 2 miles and 3 miles. The former Rogers (Spokane) star’s time of 4:06.0 is still the fastest Washington state mile time in the past 91 years. Lindgren lapped Ryun, beat Prefontaine when nobody else could, and bested Billy Mills, the only American to win the gold medal in the Olympic 10,000 meters.

The only thing that jogs on my body is my memory, but I sure do like to watch those who can. Cross country is a beautiful thing and those who paved the way should be recognized for their free spirit and their efforts.

And by the way, Phil Lesh played bass for the Grateful Dead.

Rodney Harwood is the business/sports reporter for the Columbia Basin Herald and can be reached at (509) 765-4561 ext. 111 or businessag@Columbiabasinherald.com.