Jim Ryun reacts to Cooper Lutkenhaus's amazing run: “Like you, I was stunned and amazed at Cooper’s fantastic race."

I'm pleased to introduce you to the World Athletics Heritage ebook, ‘Progression of World Athletics Records.' It's one of my favorite historical resources.

Ryun's 880y world record is detailed on page 68 of the 2024 edition of the publication.

Some interesting tidbits I learned from reading the entry on Ryun's record:

• It was at the USTFF Championship
• first 800m record on a synthetic track (although there was no 800m intermediate time)
• the 2nd-place finisher was 3 seconds back
• Quote from Ryun: "I wasn't feeling well. I had a sore throat, and in the race I still felt terrible. At the halfway mark I took off and started to run as fast as I could. I felt I needed to try and get a lead on the other guys; it was one of those races which was magical - I just kept getting faster and faster. When the time was announced, I was shocked."

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"...may not break 1:45 again..."

Good Lord. I'll stick to listening to Jim Ryun's take.

:/

The most interesting takeaway from this article is Ryun's comments on Cooper's height/weight/staure at 16 years old. I think he is alluding to the fact that a 6 foot 2 possibly 165 pound Cooper may naturally fill out more over the next few years. You don't see any 190 pound 800m runners setting world records. Like Ryun said, he put on 20 pounds after 18, some due to strength training, but most 16 yrar-olds will put on weight naturally just from maturation alone. There is a chance Cooper is a man-child. Progression cant be assumed even if he remains injury free and trains properly.

Great overview. I understand soccer didn't gain traction in the U.S. until later, but I still think it's kind of funny to say it wasn't a thing during the prime of one of the game's most famous players of all time. I was of course being facetious with my reply, using a variation of the Let's Run Jordan Hasay meme.

I do think Rojo makes a good point about society/sports being more fragmented than it was 60 years ago. The flip side to that is we can now follow the sports we love much more closely than ever (that is, if we're willing/able to pay for the various track & field streaming services), which creates more scrutiny within the fan base.

In Ryun's heyday, he didn't know if track fans were talking trash about him at a sports bar in Indiana. Now, within minutes of smashing a record and making the U.S. team, Cooper could have come to this site (I hope he didn't) and seen people accusing him of using PEDs. With social media, public online discussion forums, and the ubiquity of cameras, many athletes feel like they are living under a microscope, and they are often exposed to toxic comments about them. That experience can cause them to feel increased pressure, and it can affect their psyche.

I appreciate being able to read Ryun's take on Cooper. He can obviously relate to Cooper better than any of us, and it was interesting to read his thoughts on Cooper handling pressure. Ryun also had a great insight on Cooper remaining relaxed in the final sprint.

Ryun did hold the 880 record. I remember when he ran it in '66. He recorded 1:44.9. The previous record was Snell's 1:45.1.

To correct an earlier point, he did not break the record for 1500m en route to the mile record. He first broke the mile record in '66, when he recorded 3:51.3. He broke it again in '67 when he ran 3:51.1. He broke the 1500 record in the '67 Colosseum Relays with a 3:33.1. All his records were regarded as outstanding in that era.

He has good points concerning that. Rudisha was 6'3, 170 lbs.....Juantoreana was 6'3 185 lbs are the closest comparisons.

Yeah, we ran because we loved it. We had to work, and most often in menial careers to get by, while we drove ourselves through injuries that had little chance of recovery - unlike today. Where just about everything is cured, and stipends cover your living expenses

Geesus you guys are tiresome.

No one G.A.S. what you herald it as, lurking jogger.

IF you were smarter you would see that you did not disagree with my post. That also explains all the downvotes. Most of you are relative morons who cannot read with clarity.

Of course he held the WR in the 880y. I know it's hard to believe but google isn't really a reliable substitute for knowledge.

Most of you cannot read. Ryun made no comments on the stature of Cooper. He made comments on his own stature, but nothing on Cooper’s stature.

For those of us old enough to remember, Ryun was a cultural phenomenon. He was one of the 2-3 most famous athletes in the USA, like Ali famous. He was an American hero, like John Glenn or Neil Armstrong. No US track athlete will ever come close to approaching his fame. Whether or not being spared all of this is good or bad or indifferent for Cooper? 🤷🏻🤷🏻

BTW, he was on the cover of SI seven times! Back then being an SI cover athlete was a BIG deal.

What is your issue? Do you think Lutkenhaus is breaking 1:45 again this year? And, if so, why? What informs your analysis, aside from the fact that he’s only ever done it once? Hoppel knows how to peak for a championship. I doubt Lutkenhaus gets out of the first round. And that’s totally fine.

Lots of commentary on JR's 880 record in this thread. Correct me if I'm wrong: I think it was at the USTFF meet? He ran the final a couple hours after the heat, and he negative split it: 53.3 for the first 440y, 51.6 for the second. That 51.6 would be worth 51.3, maybe 51.2, for 400m.

Imagine a 51.3 second lap in an 800. (YES, it happens, but not often.)

Now imagine it almost 60 years ago.

The evocative photo that accompanies the linked article was taken by Rich Clarkson, who worked for the Topeka Capitol-Journal (he is still alive and a LetsRun feature with him would be lovely). He was—along with Manning Solon and the Sutton brothers—one of the greatest track and field photographers. Prior to the internet (and video streaming in particular), photographs (especially black and white) were an important vehicle for conveying the drama and intensity of a race. I had taped to my ceiling a photo from a distant perspective of Ryun training on an old, dusty, Kansas back-road and one of Gerry Lindgren at the finish line upon beating the Russians in the LA Coliseum. Those got me out running many a morning.

I don't know. Lutkenhaus seems to have a head on his shoulders that is well beyond his years. Look at how he approached the semis -- "that was my final..." That's exactly how you need to do it.

Ryun made the US Olmpic team at age 17, finishing 3rd

Different times.

Once was a time when the world heavyweight champ and the world's fastest man were household names.

Hell, promoters spend decades seeking a great white hope to win the heavyweight boxing title. By the time Klitchko, the Gypsy King, and Usyk took over the heavyweights, nobody really cared