Greatest American Distance Runners of All-Time
One of--if not THE--greatest American distance finishes in Olympic history. Bill Mills was a virtual unknown prior to the meet, who qualified for the Olympic Team in 1964 in the 10,000m and marathon. He wasn't even supposed to be the best American in this event, but Gerry Lindgren was suffering from a bum ankle and would fall behind the pack.
Mills would go on to break the American 10,000m record again, and had a pretty speedy 5000m as well. Many critics call his career a "flash in the pan," which is valid, but this finish is the epitome of what American distance running should be.
He became the second Native American to ever win an Olympic medal, and at the time was serving in the United States Marine Corps. Mills is the only American ever to win an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000m.
Linda Somers
#10
Billy Mills
One of--if not THE--greatest American distance finishes in Olympic history. Bill Mills was a virtual unknown prior to the meet, who qualified for the Olympic Team in 1964 in the 10,000m and marathon. He wasn't even supposed to be the best American in this event, but Gerry Lindgren was suffering from a bum ankle and would fall behind the pack.
Mills would go on to break the American 10,000m record again, and had a pretty speedy 5000m as well. Many critics call his career a "flash in the pan," which is valid, but this finish is the epitome of what American distance running should be.
He became the second Native American to ever win an Olympic medal, and at the time was serving in the United States Marine Corps. Mills is the only American ever to win an Olympic gold medal in the 10,000m.
Linda Somers
Women's distance running in America is still relatively young--an unfortunate consequence of our country and the world's male-dominated past. Hundreds of pioneering women, however, continue to push the envelope of incredible long-distance performances.
Linda Somers is a two-time national championship in the marathon, and has won at Chicago, California International and Grandma's. A recent inductee into the Road Runners Club of America Hall of Fame, and continues to set records as a Masters runner. She has run in an impressive seven Olympic marathon trials events.
At present, she has been pushing American masters records in events from the 5k through the half-marathon. She stands out as one of the greatest examples of life-long running.
Linda Somers is a two-time national championship in the marathon, and has won at Chicago, California International and Grandma's. A recent inductee into the Road Runners Club of America Hall of Fame, and continues to set records as a Masters runner. She has run in an impressive seven Olympic marathon trials events.
At present, she has been pushing American masters records in events from the 5k through the half-marathon. She stands out as one of the greatest examples of life-long running.
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