Jim Ryun

A Kansas Portrait

In July 1966, a tall, slender youth from Kansas ran the mile in a world record 3 minutes and 51 seconds and became one of the most recognizable athletes in the nation. James Ronald Ryun accomplished this at the age of 19.

He had emerged two years earlier while attending Wichita East High School where he became the first high school student to break the four-minute mile by running it in 3 minutes and 59 seconds. Ryun attended the University of Kansas and quickly rose from schoolboy sensation to become the world's premier middle-distance runner. In 1966, he held world records in the mile, half-mile and the 1500 meters.

His trademark was the sprint to the finish line. He was a member of 3 U.S. Olympic teams, yet he never won an Olympic Gold medal. Ryun was the favorite in the 1968 games in Mexico City, but he fell victim to a furious early pace and the high altitude caused him to loose to Kip Keino of Kenya.

Four years later in Munich, he again was the favorite, but did not advance beyond the first heat. Jostled on a turn, he fell and was denied re-entry by the International Olympic Committee. Ryun ran briefly as a professional but never approached world-class times again. In 1996 he was elected U.S. Congressman from the Second District in Kansas, a position he has held for four terms.