Who is the best ever runner from your state?

People have the dumbest opinions about these things.

"Oh, Rose Cruz won the women's City Sprawl 16 times in a row from 1880-1895. Sure there were only five women in the race, and she ran 12:00 for a mile, but you can't say she didn't dominate as well as Shalane Flanagan, who only finished 3rd with her 30:30."

Soho wrote:

People have the dumbest opinions about these things.

"Oh, Rose Cruz won the women's City Sprawl 16 times in a row from 1880-1895. Sure there were only five women in the race, and she ran 12:00 for a mile, but you can't say she didn't dominate as well as Shalane Flanagan, who only finished 3rd with her 30:30."

This is true. With the popularity of running now worldwide, and the worldwide access to good training knowledge and equipment, it is much more difficult to be world ranked today than it was for Ryan, Decker, Virgin, and Liquori. But you can still compare times.

Meb Kefleghizi

Deena Drossin

Mary Decker

Steve Scott

Ruth Wysocki

Diego Estrada

Kim Conley

Nick Arciniaga

Ryan Hall

Sara Hall

Alysia Johnson

Shawn Crawford

Jeshua Anderson

Carmelita Jeter

German Fernandez

Brenda Martinez

Bryan Clay

John Carlos

Tommie Smith

Ato Bolden

Flojo

Bobby Kersee

Maurice Greene

Rafer Johnson

Maggie Vessey.

Nugatory wrote:

I know only that these runners went to HS in WA:

- Doris Brown (go Seahawks)

- Gerry Lindgren

- ASD Power Trio: Chris Lukezic, Jordan McNamara, Carl Moe

Doris probably wins it on sum of accomplishments.

Carl Moe? WHAT? I can name over a dozen washington guys that were better, just off the top of my head.

But anyways, for Washington:

Gerry Lindgren - Former American and World record holder

Annette Peters(nee Hand) - Former American Record holder

Don Kardong - SHOULD be a medal winner Olympic games

Chris Lukezic - U.S. Champ and member of American Record DMR

Sarah Schwald - Multiple top 3 finishes at U.S. Championships

Jordan McNamara - 3:52 WA alltime best.

Minnesota: Dick Beardsley

Garry Bjorklund

Bob Kempinan

Buddy Edelan

Ron Daws

Janis Klecker

Jan Ettle

Mike Slack

Very good "Cali's Best" list, but John Carlos is from New York and Maurice Greene from Kansas

Cali

Why no mention of Francie Larrieu Smith? Made 5 Olympic teams. 1500 to marathon. Too many wins to mention.

You can't go through life fearing Dolphin shorts and terry headbands.

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?

If you were scoring an Illinois-California cross country meet, how could California compete with Virgin, Derrick, Jager, J. Torres and Broe? Illinois has Don Sage and Lukas V as 6th and 7th men. Or would Jim Spivey or Ed Torres be on the team? Either way, no contest.

A couple of others:

Steve Lewis

Quincy Watts

Doug Padilla (why does no one remember this guy?)

And some druggies - Marion Jones and Regina Jacobs

I am of Berkan. Small place in Morocco Northwest. I think I win this debate here on the message boards...same town as legendary Hicam El Gerruj(this berber spelling, my language. I think english is Hicham El Guerrouj). Hicam loved and very famous in my home. He is reason why people know the name Berkan. one problem our town have is all young girls want Hicam! But he is having wife and child, but he is now living in Oregon. Home of Prefontaine. I was young when Hicam came home to Berkan, he is training in athletics most in Rabat, altitude much better for this. I once see Hicam at small cafe with coffee, very skinny!

Pennsylvania: Kim Gallagher

Illinois women;

Marathon Olympians Maryanne Dickerson, Jenny Spangler

Others: Delilah Decrecenzo (steeplechase), Stephanie Brown (multiple All-American), Tera Moody marathon, Christin Wurth Thomas (should probably be up near top).

Also, Patty Murray (NCAA champ), Suzy Tuffey (multiple All American CC) Kayla Beattie (all time IHSA 1600, 3200).

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.

If we used that criteria then Colorado could claim a bunch of people, like Jenny Simpson, Alan Culpepper, Ritz, the Gouchers, etc. Oregon could claim a lot of the top professional runners.

Andrew Bumbalough

Mid soul wrote:

Michigan

Is Ritz really better than Todd Williams?

They both set American records, both went to the Olympics, both ran well in college. May be a generational thing. Herb Lindsay was never able to get it right on the track.

The Michigan entries are by those who are ignorant of any runner who is not mid or distance.

These is no contest when it comes to TRACK.

Eddie Tolan.

Nebraska

I don't know about ever, but we currently have Mike Morgan who runs for the Hansons-Brooks Project and is a 2:14 marathon guy.

Does anyone know if Nebraska had anyone awesome from back in the day?

Show Me wrote:

Missouri

Joe Falcon

Matt Tegenkamp

Mark Curp

What about Jason Pyrah?

Runstatguy wrote:

Minnesota: Dick Beardsley

Garry Bjorklund

Bob Kempinan

Buddy Edelan

Ron Daws

Janis Klecker

Jan Ettle

Mike Slack

Should add Kara Goucher. Most of her formative years were in Minnesota.

I'd also add Carrie Tollefson, just cause she is so cute. Good runner too.