Fifty Years Ago, the College Kid From Kansas Broke the World Record

Sunday marks the anniversary of Jim Ryun's perfect one-mile race.

By Roger Robinson Friday, July 15, 2016, 12:02 pm

Photograph by Bettmann/Getty Images

Jim Ryun breaks the one-mile world record in the All-American Invitational at 4:10pm on July 17, 1966, in Berkeley, California.

Fifty years ago, July 17, 1966, Jim Ryun of Kansas University broke the world record for one mile. His 3:51.3 at UC Berkeley was more than two seconds faster than Michel Jazy’s one-year-old mark of 3:53.6 at Rennes on June 9, 1965.  People were allowed to sit on the east side.  There was a 220 yard straightaway.  There was a scoreboard at the north end of Edwards Stadium.  There was a metal officials stand in the background.  They had judges and hand-timers.
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Keith Conning:  I was a spectator that day.  I was 25 years old.  I ran at Cal in 1961-62. Cary Weisiger placed second in 3:58.0. Snort Winstead had a pipe in his mouth. Mr. Mattern was to the right of the finish. I timed with these AAU officials in 1970 and 1971.
Can you identify any of the other people in this picture?  Please write to keithconning@aol.com

3:51.3 "Jim" Ryun (USA) Berkeley 17.07.1966
1. Ryun 3:51.3 (3:51.3 - 3:51.3 - 3:51.4,