This was pretty amazing. Within a week, flying across the country, adding the race to a meet and getting the rabbits in place. Then actually hitting the time.
With Pyrah in 96, he had a month to go to Europe and jump in some 1500m races that were already set up to go for time. Sorenson had the same chance but fell just short.
James Corrigan has officially become my running folk hero. Blue collar high school runner with PR’s of 2:01, 4:23 and 9:13. Takes up the steeple as a freshman in college and runs 8:52 his first season. Decides to go “all in” on steeple this year and brings his PR down to 8:28 at NCAAs before bonking in the final, finishing 9th. Comes back with renewed determination in first round of OT with a big pr finishing second in his heat. In the final he is 6th or 7th at the bell and passes 3 or 4 including Bor and American record holder Evan Jager while running 60 seconds over barriers for the last lap and getting third in the final, accomplishing his first step to Paris. Oh, yea, then he flies to Philadelphia for an all comers meet run in front of a tiny yet appreciative crowd and in hot and windy conditions he runs his third steeple in 8 days knowing that unless he runs sub 8:15 he probably will not go to Paris. Rabbited perfectly at a pace he’s never attempted before for 2000 meters, he runs the last k in the lead with his nearest competitor 4 seconds behind him, finishing in 8:13.8, and securing his Olympic dream. Damn, if this were a book of fiction you would say it was more unbelievable than Once a Runner. Great job James Corrigan!
My guess is that he signs a huge NIL deal with Nike and stays around and tries to win an NCAA title and work on his degree. Since BYU is a Nike school and all of his gear is decked out with the swoosh, it’s the same either way for Nike. This will be a case of “having your cake and eating it too”, plus James can work on finishing his degree.
I have no problem admitting I'm a big Jager fanboy and I hate to see him miss the team - but man, what a great underdog performance from Corrigan. Say what you will about the current qualification system but this makes for a really great storyline. Congrats Corrigan.
James Corrigan has officially become my running folk hero. Blue collar high school runner with PR’s of 2:01, 4:23 and 9:13. Takes up the steeple as a freshman in college and runs 8:52 his first season. Decides to go “all in” on steeple this year and brings his PR down to 8:28 at NCAAs before bonking in the final, finishing 9th. Comes back with renewed determination in first round of OT with a big pr finishing second in his heat. In the final he is 6th or 7th at the bell and passes 3 or 4 including Bor and American record holder Evan Jager while running 60 seconds over barriers for the last lap and getting third in the final, accomplishing his first step to Paris. Oh, yea, then he flies to Philadelphia for an all comers meet run in front of a tiny yet appreciative crowd and in hot and windy conditions he runs his third steeple in 8 days knowing that unless he runs sub 8:15 he probably will not go to Paris. Rabbited perfectly at a pace he’s never attempted before for 2000 meters, he runs the last k in the lead with his nearest competitor 4 seconds behind him, finishing in 8:13.8, and securing his Olympic dream. Damn, if this were a book of fiction you would say it was more unbelievable than Once a Runner. Great job James Corrigan!
He was 0.8 slower than his PB (which he ran a couple of days before) in that NCAA final. Not sure why that is considered bonking.
If he was from Spain, we would be questioning this fairy tale progression.
James Corrigan has officially become my running folk hero. Blue collar high school runner with PR’s of 2:01, 4:23 and 9:13. Takes up the steeple as a freshman in college and runs 8:52 his first season. Decides to go “all in” on steeple this year and brings his PR down to 8:28 at NCAAs before bonking in the final, finishing 9th. Comes back with renewed determination in first round of OT with a big pr finishing second in his heat. In the final he is 6th or 7th at the bell and passes 3 or 4 including Bor and American record holder Evan Jager while running 60 seconds over barriers for the last lap and getting third in the final, accomplishing his first step to Paris. Oh, yea, then he flies to Philadelphia for an all comers meet run in front of a tiny yet appreciative crowd and in hot and windy conditions he runs his third steeple in 8 days knowing that unless he runs sub 8:15 he probably will not go to Paris. Rabbited perfectly at a pace he’s never attempted before for 2000 meters, he runs the last k in the lead with his nearest competitor 4 seconds behind him, finishing in 8:13.8, and securing his Olympic dream. Damn, if this were a book of fiction you would say it was more unbelievable than Once a Runner. Great job James Corrigan!
Legendary. Bronze ran 8:11.45 last Olympics, and I heard he's got a good kick. Just sayin'...
Misinformed take from someone planted on their couch. Hayward was electric. Stadium was deafening during the finals and many of the prelims. Athletes will say the same thing.
James Corrigan has officially become my running folk hero. Blue collar high school runner with PR’s of 2:01, 4:23 and 9:13. Takes up the steeple as a freshman in college and runs 8:52 his first season. Decides to go “all in” on steeple this year and brings his PR down to 8:28 at NCAAs before bonking in the final, finishing 9th. Comes back with renewed determination in first round of OT with a big pr finishing second in his heat. In the final he is 6th or 7th at the bell and passes 3 or 4 including Bor and American record holder Evan Jager while running 60 seconds over barriers for the last lap and getting third in the final, accomplishing his first step to Paris. Oh, yea, then he flies to Philadelphia for an all comers meet run in front of a tiny yet appreciative crowd and in hot and windy conditions he runs his third steeple in 8 days knowing that unless he runs sub 8:15 he probably will not go to Paris. Rabbited perfectly at a pace he’s never attempted before for 2000 meters, he runs the last k in the lead with his nearest competitor 4 seconds behind him, finishing in 8:13.8, and securing his Olympic dream. Damn, if this were a book of fiction you would say it was more unbelievable than Once a Runner. Great job James Corrigan!
Not to be a downer but does the race/result in Philly need to be ratified or deemed legit in order to count? Seems folks are celebrating too soon without an official ratification.
Not to be a downer but does the race/result in Philly need to be ratified or deemed legit in order to count? Seems folks are celebrating too soon without an official ratification.
Curious what you mean? Seems legit unless you mean something else.
The Penn Relays is excited to announce that the Penn Relays Summer Showcase Series presented by Toyota is coming to Franklin Field for three events this year! Join
Not to be a downer but does the race/result in Philly need to be ratified or deemed legit in order to count? Seems folks are celebrating too soon without an official ratification.
Curious what you mean? Seems legit unless you mean something else.
Based on experience, there's always something that becomes an issue. Examples: The rail doesn't meet regulation, paperwork not filed correctly, officials not having correct credentials, not enough runners in the race, etc...
Based on experience, there's always something that becomes an issue. Examples: The rail doesn't meet regulation, paperwork not filed correctly, officials not having correct credentials, not enough runners in the race, etc...
You may be right there. Franklin Field is a fairly new venue, and they have very little experience running meets, especially this recently developed Penn Relays. World Athletics' approving it as one of their meets, and having the results all over their website is pretty suspect for ratification. Crossing my fingers.
Yes, it helped that the assistant director of the Penn Relays is a BYU guy... though they said they'd do it for any US runner in this situation. It was a special night.
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