From a newspaper clipping I recently found in my basement:
THREE TEENAGERS UNDER 3:58 FOR MILE!
The British women?s team followed up their victory over France with a resounding win over Bulgaria (91-66) in the British Meat Games at Crystal Palace last Sunday, but it was one of the men?s invitation events in support ? the 26th running of the celebrated Emsley Carr Mile ? which captured the limelight.
Much of the pre-race publicity had centred on whether those two outstanding youngsters, Graham Williamson (born 15.6.60) and Steve Cram (14.10.60), both of whom had recently broken 3:43 for 1500, would be able to break four minutes for the distance. Williamson, from Springburn Harriers, ran 3:42.1 while still 17 in a forceful display of front running in the Scottish Senior Championships, leading through 800 in 1:59.0 and 1200 in 2:58.2 before being passed by John Robson and Frank Clement. Cram recorded his time of 3:42.7 in a solo run (1:59/2:59) in the Durham Schools Championships, and the Emsley Carr event would be his first taste of top class senior competition.
In a memorable race both lads excelled themselves to such a degree that not only did both of them smash four minutes but they were well inside Steve Ovett?s UK Junior record of 3:59.4 and undoubtedly merited late selection for Edmonton (1978 Commonwealth Games). Their times were quite astonishing: Graham registered 3:56.4, barely a second outside Jim Ryun?s world best for an 18-year-old (and Graham will be 18 until next June) and good for tenth place on the UK all-time list, while Steve?s 3:57.4 hacked 1.6 sec off Ryun?s world best by a 17-year-old! They finished second and fourth, the race being won by John Robson in 3:55.8 (only four days after his 3:54.3 in Oslo) with Brendan Foster pipping Cram for third in 3:57.4, his fastest for six years and sprightly running for a man whose best event these days is 10,000.
Watched by a crowd of about 4500, in cool and windy conditions, Neil Leach did a fine job as pacemaker as he towed the large field around in 58.8 (440y), and although the tempo dropped somewhat on the second quarter (2:00.7, Leach still ahead), Ray Smedley ensured fast times all round by picking up the pace on the third lap. At the three-quarters (3:00.0) it was Williamson who was in front, followed by Robson, and the young Scot ? whose best 1500 time before the start of this season was 3:48.2 ? dug in hard along the back straight. Robson eventually showed in front with about 250 to go and had built up an 8m lead over Williamson entering the straight, followed by Tim Hutchings and Cram.
Williamson never gave up the chase, and closed a little, while there was plenty of action behind as Foster overtook Hutchings and, almost with his final stride, Cram. Robson had covered the last quarter in 55.8, Williamson in 56.4.
What a week it had been for British miling in general, Scottish in particular, with Clement breaking Ovett?s UK record with 3:54.2 in Oslo ahead of Robson (3:54.3), and now this race with five Britons under 3:58, plus another four in the 4:00-4:01 range. Add Ovett, Dave Moorcroft, Sebastian Coe and Glen Grant, and one can see that British standards in this event have never been so high. In all the excitement, Tim Hutchings? run of 3:57.8 went almost unnoticed, yet he is only 19.
Steve Cram, who ironically runs for Jarrow & Hebburn although he was born in Gateshead (he lives in Hebburn, which just happens to be Brendan Foster?s birthplace), said he followed Foster throughout much of the race as he felt that if anyone knew hot the run the race it should be Bren. It was Steve?s first ever mile. He said he was happy to break four minutes but just a little bit disappointed that Brendan got past him at the line
Emsley Carr Mile, Crystal Palace 2.7.78
1 J. Robson 3:55.8
2 G. Williamson 3:56.4 UK Junior Record
3 B. Foster 3:57.4
4 S. Cram 3:57.4 World age-17 best
5 T. Hutchings 3:57.8
6 C. Masback (USA) 3:58.0
7 E. Hartel 4:00.0
8 S. Emson 4:00.5
9 R. Smedley 4:00.9
10 R. Maplestone 4:00.9