| Adrian Blincoe Breaking the tape with a 3:57.5 Mile on May 6th, 2004. 50 years to the day that Sir Roger Bannister broke the 4 Minute Mile for the first time! |
Elite Mile (Event # 7) of the Bannister 50th Anniversary Mile
1) ADRIAN BLINCOE 3.57.50
2) Sean Mick 4:07.2
3) Greg Bielecki 4:13
4) Joe Fedorowicz 4:19 (La Salle High School)
5) Greg Grimes 4:25
6) Brian Penderghest 4:26
7) Andrew Blaich 4:36
8) Kevin McKeefrey 4:40
9) Greg Potestio 4:41
* 2 rabbits DNF
Open Male (Heat 2) Open Female
1) Neill Clark 4:45 1) Liz Ludwigson 5:23
2) Ian Chilley 4:59 2) Leslee Hoey 5:25
3) Dave Hartman 5:16 3) Elsa Payne 5:28
4) Edwin Gaghdasarian 5:22 4) Alma Marie Liebrecht 5:41
5) Deena Reddy 5:36 5) Julie Hankin 5:45
6) Mike Cannon 5:42
7) Bill Benedict 5:47
8) Scott McCollester 5:55
9) Brad McCollester 6:28
Master Men (40-54 yrs.)
1) Chris Harkins 4:52.2 Master Female (40-55)
2) Chuck Dabund 5:08 1) Lorraine Jasper 5:22
3) Bob Reynolds 5:11 2) Mary Beth Bittles 6:01
4) Pat Good 5:27 3) Neysa Westman 8:04
5) Tom Yunker 5:28
6) Paul Mathison 5:28
7) Seth Bergman 5:35
8) Brian Kunz 5:44
Senior Men (55+)
1) Richard Green 5:15.2 Senior Female (55+)
2) Steven Rook 5:41 1) Barbara Leighton 9:30
3) Tom Jennings 6:05 2) Sue Levy 11:18
4) Brian Salzberg 6:18
5) Joe Stefanowicz 6:30
6) Bruce Gilbert 7:13
7) George Jackson 7:32
8) Jim Wiggins 9:28
9) Bob Parsons 11:55
Youth Male (12-16 yrs) Youth Female (12-16)
1) Andrew Golato 5:04.9 1) Leah Mullaly 6:12.3
2) Nathaniel Twer 5:05 2) Samantha Lieb 6:12.8
3) John Tully 5:07 3) Mia Fry 6:30
4) Thomas Iannacone 5:20 4) Elyse Becker 6:47
5) JC Rizzo 5:22 5) Norma DiCocco 6:54
6) Nicholas Rufo 5:47
7) Joe Madsen 7:58
Listed Below are the 33 runners who broke the 4 minute mile barrier and have some connection with
Philadelphia. The runners connection to Philadelphia was either from being born in the city, competing for a
local HS or college/unversity associated with the city or competed for a track club associated with
Philadelphia. The honor roll was duplicated onto a plaque which was presented the Philadelphia Sports Hall
of fame on May 6, 2004 and will hang in the Hall of Fame with all the other great sport heroes associated with
the City of Philadelphia. The list is listed in chronological order with the runners first sub 4 and best mile
time.A runner on the list does not to have broken the barrier while at the University to be included on list. If
there is only one listing, this runner only broke the barrier once since this list was compiled or it was their
best time. As far as we know, Philadelphia has the most representation of Sub 4 Minute milers than any city
in the United States. (List was revised in May,2004, so there may have been more runners added to the list
since then)
The Philadelphia Sub Four Minute Mile Honor Roll
NAME Year Association with Philadelphia Country First Best # times
Ron Delany 1956 Villanova University Ireland 3:59.0 3:57.5 3
Dave Patrick 1967 Villanova University USA 3:59.3 3:56.8 3
Marty Liquori * 1967 Villanova University USA 3:59.8* 3:52.2 26
Pat Traynor 1968 Monsignor Bonner/Villanova USA 3:59.6
Frank Murphy 1968 Villanova University Ireland 3:58.6 3:58.1 3
Chris Mason 1970 Villanova University UK 3:59.9
John Baker 1971 Pencrest High School USA 3:59.8
Reggie McCafee 1973 Philadelphia Pioneers TC USA 3:59.3 3:57.8
John Hartnett 1973 Villanova University Ireland 3:58.3 3:54.7 4
Dick Buerkle 1973 Villanova University USA 3:58.0 3:54.9 6
Tommy Fulton 1973 Philadelphia Pioneers TC USA 3:57.8
Denis Fikes 1974 University of Pennsylvania USA 3:55.0
Karl Thornton 1974 University of Pennsylvania USA 3:57.9
Eamonn Coghlan 1975 Villanova University Ireland 3:56.2 3:49.78 75
Sydney Maree 1976 Villanova University South Africa 3:57.9 3:48.83 51
Don Paige 1978 Villanova University USA 3:58.10 3:54.19 10
Phil "Tiny" Kane 1978 Villanova University USA 3:59.37 3:55.77 14
Amos Korir 1979 Villanova University Kenya 3:59.3 2
Mark Belger 1979 Villanova University USA 3:58.4 3:57.37 5
Ross Donoghue 1979 Villanova University USA 3:58.0 3:55.26 8
Marcus O'Sullivan 1983 Villanova University Ireland 3:58:84 3:50.94 101#
John Keyworth 1984 Villanova University UK 3:59.43
Gerry O'Reilly 1986 Villanova University Ireland 3:54.63 7
Sean O'Neill 1987 Villanova University UK/IRE 3:58.42
Steve Ave 1988 Saint Joseph University USA 3:59.09 3:58.9
Jim Norris 1990 Bishop Kendrick/Saint Joseph USA 3:59.5
Paul Vandergrift 1992 Archbishop Kennedy HS USA 3:59.60 3:57.88
Ken Nason 1995 Villanova University Ireland 3:58.91 3:58.09
Karl Paranya 1997 Haverford College USA 3:57.6 3:54.83
Stephen Howard 1997 Villanova University Canada 3:58.8
Brian Gallagher 1998 La Salle University USA 3:59.91
Adrian Blincoe 2002 Villanova University New Zealand 3:58.19 3:54.4 5
Ryan Hayden 2002 Villanova University Canada 3:58.27
Bobby Curtis 2007 Villanova University USA 3:57.20
Mike Kerrigan 2007 Villanova University USA 3:59:60
# Marcus O'Sullivan is one of only 3 men ever to have broken 4 minute barrier more than 100xs
*** The time of 3:42.2 for the 1500 meters is recognized in track and field as the equivalent of the 4:00 minute
mile. Even though they will not be listed on the official Philadelphia Sub 4 Minute Mile list, they will be
recognized in this space. (listed by best time)
Louie Quintana 1993 Villanova University USA 3:41.24
Tom Parlapiano 2004 Villanova University USA 3:41.51
Ken Shappert 1976 Villanova University USA 3:42.0
Jan Friedli 1988 Villanova University USA 3:42.08
Dean Childs 1978 Villanova University Canada 3:42.1
Last Updated for this page on 12/06. If you know of any additions/corrections contact Dave Thomas
at thomasd611@yahoo.com
FIVE MOST FAMOUS FOUR MINUTE MILE PERFORMANCES AND THEIR PHILADELPHIA CONNECTION
1971 Marty Liquori runs 3:54.6 while edging Jim Ryan to win a much publicized "Dream Mile" at the Martin Luther
King Games at Franklin Field in Philadelphia. The event was broadcast live on the CBS Sports Spectacular and
was the start of many "Dream Mile" showdown races in the 1970s and 1980s where the Mile Run was usually the
featured event at the track meet. At the time Ryan was the established star and was being challenged by the
younger Liquori to the crown. Both runners had broken the 4 minute barrier in High School.
1998 Marcus O'Sullivan records his last sub 4 mile of 3:58.1 in the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games to
become only the 3rd person in history to break the barrier 100 times. O'Sullivan was 3 time World Indoor
Champion in the 1500 meters and world record holder in the indoor 1500 (3:35.4 in 1989) and is currently head
coach of track and field at his alma mater, Villanova University.
1994 Villanova graduate, Eamonn Coghlan becomes the first Master runner (over 40 years) to break the 4 minute
barrier. At the age of 41, he records a time of 3:58.13 in an open indoor meet. Coghlan also was the first runner
in history to break the 3:50 barrier indoors. Coghlan's dominance in the indoor mile (7 time winner of the
Wannamaker Mile) in the 1970s and 80s earned him the nickname "Chairman of the Boards".
1981 Sydney Maree, another Villanova alum, runs a 3:47.52 in the 5th Avenue Mile in New York City in front of a
national live audience on ABC Sport's Wide World of Sports. Maree of South Africa later states he won the race to
bring national attention to apartheid policies of the South Africa goverment. Maree later became a US citizen and
represented the USA in the 1988 Olympics. He held the American record in the 1500 meter with a time of 3:29.77
(1985) until recently.
1956 Ron Delaney, a native of Ireland and Villanova grad becomes the first of the Sub 4 Minute milers from
Philadelphia. Delaney is the first of the famous "Irish Pipeline" to run for coach Jumbo Elliot at Villanova
University and the only one of the Philadelphia Connection to win a gold medal in the 1500 meters in the
Olympics. Delaney won the gold in the 1956 Games in Melbourne, Australia. His time of 3:41.2 was a Olympic
record.
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| Dave Thomas of PAC with Sub 4 Minute Miler, Adrian Blincoe after his historic race at Haverford College on May 6, 2004. |
| Long time Villanova Coach, Jack Pyrah looks on at the Bannister Anniversary Mile Races |
| The Start of the Elite Division of the Bannister Anniversary Mile Races at Haverford College on 5/6/04 |
May 6th, 2004: Blincoe Breaks 4 Minute Mile at Bannister Anniversary Race! Philadelphia Athletic Charities Inc produces great event at Haverford College On May 6th, 2004, history was re-lived 50 years to the day that Sir Roger Bannister became the first runner to brake the 4 minute per mile mark. This time it was former Villanova runner, Adrian Blincoe who ran the 4 laps around the track in 3:57.50 seconds! The meet was titled the Bannister Anniversary Mile Invitational and was created by Dave Thomas of Philadelphia Athletic Charities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the breaking of one all of sports greatest barriers. Thomas approached the idea of holding the one time event to Tom Donnelly, head coach of Haverford College men's track and cross country. Donnelly along with the athletic dept. approved Thomas producing the race and the rest is history. The Bannister Anniversary Mile Invitational was held on a sunny, spring evening at the outdoor track in front of about 400 anxious and curios spectators. The event was actually a series of mile races from youth to the final elite event . The first race was the male youth 12-16 won by Andrew Golato in 5:04.9, followed by Leah Mullaly winning the female youth mile in 6:12.3. The Senior mile (55+ age) was won by Richard Green who ran an excellent 5:15.2 race followed by Barbara Leighton winning the senior female mile in 9:30. The master mile (40-54 age) was won by Chris Harkins in 4:52.2 and Lorraine Jasper with a 5:22.0 for the distance. Sub elite mile won by Neill Clark (4:45.3) and Liz Ludwigson (5:23). Before the featured event, the fans were treated by an assembly of 8 of the 33 sub 4 minute milers associated with the Philadelphia area (the 9th being Blincoe who was warming up). There were 33 runners who broke the 4 minute mile barrier sometime in their careers and had an association with the Philadelphia area through birth, high school, college/university or club representation. This was a exiting moment as the 8 were placed out on the track and given a special copy of the English Paper Headlines announcing the Bannister feat in the May,7, 2006 newspapers.(See picture below). Dave Thomas of Philadelphia Athletic Charites Inc. was proud to present the awards along with a special plaque to the president of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame listing the 33 runners and their times and dates they ran their sub 4 minute miles. The plaque with the 33 names will be hung in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame when it is built. The featured Elite Mile event stepped to the line at 7:20 pm with track legend Jack Saint Clair as the honorary starter and long time and loved Villanova Coach, Jack Pyrah was trackside.. Adrian Blincoe, the races featured runner tucked into the mid pack and was helped each lap by rabbits of current Villanova runners. first lap was right on target with a 59.2 second effort followed by 1:58.7 at the half. The first rabbit dropped with another taking over for Blincoe. Blincoe was born in New Zealand and had a splendid career while at Villanova and will represent his country at an upcoming Olympic Games. At the 3/4 mile mark, Blincoe took control by sweeping to the front of the pak which was now spreading out, and charging down the backstretch. Every stride now was a gallop as the crowd cheered him on all the way down the homestretch where he broke the tape in 3:57.50! This was only the 2nd time anyone had broken 4 minutes on the Haverford track (Karl Paryna was the other) and one of only 3 of the many anniversary mile races held on this day around the USA. It was an exciting magical night at Haverford on May 6,2004 and like 50 years ago, only experienced by a few. Even though the 4 minute mile has been run countless times since 1954, it still stands as a test of excellence in track and field. Philadelphia Athletic Charities was glad and excited to produce the Bannister Anniversary mile in 2004. We like to express our thanks to Bob Schwelm , owner of Bryn Mawr Running Company for his sponsorship along with PAC for the event. Proceeds of the races went to the local youth running club program of the USATF. |
| Below: This is a replica of the London Herald Newspaper on May 7, 1954. A framed copy of this was replica from 1954 was given to each of the Sub 4 runners who attended the 50th Anniversary event held at Haverford College's track on May 6, 2004. |
| Standing from left to right are Dave Thomas (Philadelphia Athletic Charities), Brian Gallagher (La Salle University Grad), John Baker (Penncrest HS) , Karl Thornton (University of Pennsylvania Graduate), Denis Elton Cochran -Fikes (University of Pennsylvania Graduate), Paul Vandergrift (Archbishop Kennedy), Jim Norris (Saint Joseph's University Graduate), Gerry O'Reilly (Villanova Graduate), and Marcus O" Sullivan (Villanova Graduate). |
| Sub 4 Minute Mile Club Assembles for Bannister 50th Mile Anniversary |
| Long time coach at Villanova University, Jack Pyrah looks on to another sub 4 minute mile. |