Who is the best ever runner from your state?

Second place wrote:

New Jersey

Marty Liquori

He actually ran quite well after HS.

Though never running in the Olympics, his 3:52 & 13:15 are as impressive now as they were when he ran them in the 1970's.

Liquori ran in the 1968 Olympics.

Virginia:

Alan Webb

Lashawn Merritt

Sean Mcgorty

Sharif Karie

Ahmed Bile (New Balance Outdoor Nationals 2012 800m champ)

Nathan Kiley (New Balance Indoor Nationals 2013 800m champ)

I've raced against Sean, Ahmed, and Nathan. Fast as hell.

Iowa:

Phil Coppess

Matt Gabrielson

Josh Moen

Lisa Uhl

Kiel Uhl

Katie Flood

Michelle Lilienthal

Shayla Houlihan

Shelby Houlihan

This may not be the fastest state but the girls may be the hottest.

If we are talking about the best we are talking about World Championship medals, Olympic medals, American record holders, and multiple US national champions.

If California is judged by that criteria they can claim Mary Decker, Steve Scott, Doug Padilla, and Deena Drossin as their best. And Johnny Grey in the 800.

You would think that a state with that large of a population and great weather would have produced more world class top ranked distance runners than that.

Especially if you consider the vast numbers of sub 8:50 high school two milers they have put out consistently since the mid 1970's.

Ato is from Trinidad. Meb is from Eritrea.

Al;ice Schmidt is from Nebraska

NY

John Gregorak

Kyle Merber

Ontario.

Donovan Bailey. WR, OG gold.

/thread

> Shalane Flanagan

Flanagan was born in Boulder CO.

> Deena Kastor

Kastor is from Ventura County.

> Alberto Salazar

Salazar is Roman.

Second place wrote:

New Jersey

Marty Liquori

He actually ran quite well after HS.

Though never running in the Olympics, his 3:52 & 13:15 are as impressive now as they were when he ran them in the 1970's.

Carl Lewis?

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Second place wrote:

New Jersey

Marty Liquori

He actually ran quite well after HS.

Though never running in the Olympics, his 3:52 & 13:15 are as impressive now as they were when he ran them in the 1970's.

Carl Lewis?

Aren't we going for 800 and up when we say "runners"?

I read this whole thread and am impressed with the number of great runners that the US has had over the years. If I were to pick a winning state, I'd have to give the nod to Illinois.

Anyone else's thoughts?

Lotta great runners wrote:

I read this whole thread and am impressed with the number of great runners that the US has had over the years. If I were to pick a winning state, I'd have to give the nod to Illinois.

Anyone else's thoughts?

Remind me again who from Illinois is better than Steve Scott, Mary Decker, or Ryan Hall from California?

what the heck? wrote:

Lotta great runners wrote:

I read this whole thread and am impressed with the number of great runners that the US has had over the years. If I were to pick a winning state, I'd have to give the nod to Illinois.

Anyone else's thoughts?

Remind me again who from Illinois is better than Steve Scott, Mary Decker, or Ryan Hall from California?

Craig Virgin. Two world XC championships.

Maybe someone has already addressed Georgia's greatest runners, but I'm not going to read this entire thread.

1. Benji Durden. He ran for the University of Georgia and lived in the Atlanta area during most of his prime years.

2. Jeff Galloway. He didn't run collegiately at a Georgia school, but I think he has lived in Atlanta for decades and has been an organizer and winner of the Peachtree Road Race.

3. John Tuttle. Ran for Auburn, but has also resided in Georgia for decades.

Virgin was a beast of runner. It'd be a good debate comparing him & Steve Scott. The way Lotta great runners has it worded, it sounds like s/he was saying the top 3 or 5 from a state. Otherwise, if one runner alone, we only have to decide the greatest runner in American history and there's your state. Top 3 or 5, CA wins hands down.

Geogia wrote:

Maybe someone has already addressed Georgia's greatest runners, but I'm not going to read this entire thread.

1. Benji Durden. He ran for the University of Georgia and lived in the Atlanta area during most of his prime years.

2. Jeff Galloway. He didn't run collegiately at a Georgia school, but I think he has lived in Atlanta for decades and has been an organizer and winner of the Peachtree Road Race.

3. John Tuttle. Ran for Auburn, but has also resided in Georgia for decades.

4. Gwen Torrence. Grew up in Atlanta and starred at UGA.

Also, correct one of those pesky typos.

Virgin may have won 2 World XCs but Lynn Jennings won 3, and an Olympic Bronze.

Yanqui wrote:

New York

Frank Shorter (from Middletown) come to mind first

Matt Centrowitz the elder

Vince Matthews

Meredith Rainey

I surely omitted way too many

Also Lopez Lamong, Josh McDougal, Chris Derrick is originally from Albany if that counts, Merber, Mary Cain, Mike Stahr