John Gregorek's amazing college career

Those were Johnny's college steeple times that Malmo posted. Think he ran 8:11 - 8:13 for the steeple a few years out of college and around 13:15 for the 5000. Back then, 13:00 in the 5000 had yet to be broken.

As great a runner as John was, he is an even nicer person. He is one of the true gentlemen in our sport, and is a shining example of how a young runner should conduct himself on and off the track.

WEALTHBURG wrote:

Those were Johnny's college steeple times that Malmo posted. Think he ran 8:11 - 8:13 for the steeple a few years out of college and around 13:15 for the 5000. Back then, 13:00 in the 5000 had yet to be broken.

Scarlet Turkey wrote:

As great a runner as John was, he is an even nicer person. He is one of the true gentlemen in our sport, and is a shining example of how a young runner should conduct himself on and off the track. [quote]WEALTHBURG wrote:

Truth. The entire family is full of great people.

Malmo, what are the ingredients for a good steepler? I always figured it would be someone who was good at cross and not a "rhythm runner" but also possessing solid mile speed? In fact, I've always thought that an American needn't move to the marathon to make a living - that someone with good basic speed could carve out a career by training to make a global presence in cross country while focusing specifically on the steeple during track season off of that base.

A long inseam.

In 1981 Gregorek won the Big East 10K in 29:20 something, then in 1982 won the 800 in 1:49 and change. Nice range!!

I have it on good authority that another, younger member of the Gregorek brood has quite the genes, and yes, that standard Gregorek-long-inseam, and thus, quite the jeans too.

The year he ran a 3:51 mile he broke into the top ten world ranking. For the first time in a quarter century American milers are running the mile in the low 3:50s again. The previous generation of milers like Stember, Jennings, and Lunn could never break that 3:54 barrier.

What a dark time the early early 2000s where for US distance running in general.

At that time America also had Tom Byers in 3:50. And Todd Harbour broke Jim Ryun's collegiate record at 3:51.0.

Not to mention Steve Scott and Sydney Maree at sub 3:50 and Jim Spivey soon to run 3:48.

Dr. Martha Dingus wrote:

I have it on good authority that another, younger member of the Gregorek brood has quite the genes, and yes, that standard Gregorek-long-inseam, and thus, quite the jeans too.

Ahhh,He did Marry well

Christine Mullen Gregorek, Seekonk Mass

Georgetown HoF - one of only 2 track women to-date

hp wrote:

Way back in 1980 when John was still running at Georgetown he showed up at Cherry Blossom on March 29th and ran 48:48, ended uo running 8:21 later that year in the steeple, great range.

I remember seeing him that day. It's astounding that it was 32 years ago. He was a great runner. His future wife was a middle distance runner for Georgetown, at the same time.

Ditto - great guy, wonderful family.

As storied as John's track career was, he had a very, very successful road race career. Cherry Blossom, Manchester Turkey Trot several times, over the best of the Irishmen and Kenyans, Orange Bowl 10k, a big 10 k in New Orleans a couple of times, a British road runners 10 k championship over Arturo Barrios. He still has the Junior National Steeple record and a national 10 mile age group record, I beleive. He ran his 1st Marathon at 35 on a hilly course and outsprinted a Kenyan over the last 100m for the win in about 2:15. His 1st comment afterward was, "never again!" I've only hit the tip of the iceberg with his accomplishments over a long career.

I remember spivey saying on this forum that Scott thought that Tom Byers had the most talent of all US milers. He was another solid 3:50 miler from that era that also broke into the world's top ten.

Hopefully, America is returning to this glory era of US running.

tudman wrote:

As storied as John's track career was, he had a very, very successful road race career. Cherry Blossom, Manchester Turkey Trot several times, over the best of the Irishmen and Kenyans, Orange Bowl 10k, a big 10 k in New Orleans a couple of times, a British road runners 10 k championship over Arturo Barrios. He still has the Junior National Steeple record and a national 10 mile age group record, I beleive. He ran his 1st Marathon at 35 on a hilly course and outsprinted a Kenyan over the last 100m for the win in about 2:15. His 1st comment afterward was, "never again!" I've only hit the tip of the iceberg with his accomplishments over a long career.

1995

Ocean State

1 John Gregorek 35 Seekonk MA 02:16:31

2 Simon Peter 28 Tanzania ZZ 02:16:33

3 Jose Iniquez 29 Mexico ZZ 02:17:31

4 Jim Hage 37 Lanham MD 02:18:30

5 Mica Comstock 30 Albuquerque NM 02:20:53

6 Smartex Tambala 30 Malawi ZZ 02:21:44

7 James Garrett 30 Bennington VT 02:26:09

8 Eric Woronick 23 Ivoryton CT 02:28:36

9 Glen Guillemette 35 W Warwick RI 02:31:21

10 Rachid Thabi 30 Brighton MA 02:31:21

What ever happen to 3:51 miler Tim Hacker? I also vaguely remember Chuck Aragon(?)

franksin wrote:

The year he ran a 3:51 mile he broke into the top ten world ranking. For the first time in a quarter century American milers are running the mile in the low 3:50s again. The previous generation of milers like Stember, Jennings, and Lunn could never break that 3:54 barrier.

What a dark time the early early 2000s where for US distance running in general.

So, with the return of 3:50 milers and guys breaking 13:00 and 27:00 now, where are the steeplers? Guys should be going sub-8:10 again, if not faster.

tudman wrote:

As storied as John's track career was, he had a very, very successful road race career.

A recurring memory of Gregorek for me is seeing his name in road race reports, usually in the context (it seemed to me) of the tough SOB track guy/steepler outkicking the roadies at their own game. I had the impression the roadies feared his presence in the final mile, and it reinforced the notion that steeplechasers were tough as nails.

At one time John ranked in the top ten U.S in the mile, SC, and 5000m.