Greatest American Distance Runners of All-Time
#8
Craig Virgin
Craig Virgin dominated as a high schooler and never look back. Still perhaps the greatest prep school runner in Illinois state history, Virgin is the only United States runner to win the World Cross Country Championship--a feat he accomplished twice.
He broke numerous American records, especially at the 10,000m where he bested marks set by the late Steve Prefontaine. In 1981, he was a second-place finisher at the Boston Marathon--one of the highest finishes by an American man in the last three decades.
Unfortunately, like many athletes of his era, Virgin was struck a competitive blow by the 1980 Olympic boycott. Just before the Olympics that year, Virgin had run the second-fastest 10,000m ever--in the history of the world--but unable to compete internationally, was never able to realize his dream of Olympic gold.
Shalane Flanagan
A little rivalry and humor between #9 and #8. You've gotta love our Olympic Marathon Team.
It is always a challenge to rank a current competitive athlete. But with Flanagan, there can be no doubt--she is already one of the best ever, and her stock is only rising with each passing stellar performance.
And what has she done so far? Flanagan is the current American record holder indoors at the 3000m and 5000m distance, and outdoors at the 10,000m. In 2008, she won a bronze medal in the Olympic 10,000m--something that only one woman before her had ever done. She has finished an incredible third in the World Cross Country Championships, and her marathon-debut at the 2010 New York Marathon was the fastest-ever and good enough for an inspirational second-place.
This year, Flanagan has already turned heads by winning the Olympic Marathon Trials in record time. She will highlight a strong women's team that--for perhaps the first time--has the potential to sweep the Olympic Marathon podium. An inspiration and a talent, Flanagan is the present and the future of American women's distance running.
#8
Craig Virgin
Craig Virgin dominated as a high schooler and never look back. Still perhaps the greatest prep school runner in Illinois state history, Virgin is the only United States runner to win the World Cross Country Championship--a feat he accomplished twice.
He broke numerous American records, especially at the 10,000m where he bested marks set by the late Steve Prefontaine. In 1981, he was a second-place finisher at the Boston Marathon--one of the highest finishes by an American man in the last three decades.
Unfortunately, like many athletes of his era, Virgin was struck a competitive blow by the 1980 Olympic boycott. Just before the Olympics that year, Virgin had run the second-fastest 10,000m ever--in the history of the world--but unable to compete internationally, was never able to realize his dream of Olympic gold.
Shalane Flanagan
A little rivalry and humor between #9 and #8. You've gotta love our Olympic Marathon Team.
It is always a challenge to rank a current competitive athlete. But with Flanagan, there can be no doubt--she is already one of the best ever, and her stock is only rising with each passing stellar performance.
And what has she done so far? Flanagan is the current American record holder indoors at the 3000m and 5000m distance, and outdoors at the 10,000m. In 2008, she won a bronze medal in the Olympic 10,000m--something that only one woman before her had ever done. She has finished an incredible third in the World Cross Country Championships, and her marathon-debut at the 2010 New York Marathon was the fastest-ever and good enough for an inspirational second-place.
This year, Flanagan has already turned heads by winning the Olympic Marathon Trials in record time. She will highlight a strong women's team that--for perhaps the first time--has the potential to sweep the Olympic Marathon podium. An inspiration and a talent, Flanagan is the present and the future of American women's distance running.
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