I haven't read the thread but I'm going with athletes who won Superstars over the years. The only track and field athletes who won were:
Bob Seagren
Renaldo Nehemiah
Tom Petranoff
Mike Powelll
Dave Johnson
In 1977 during the first World Superstars Championship Peter Snell, yes Peter Snell finished 3rd overall. He has my vote as the best athlete who was a distance runner.