30 years ago today Rick Wohlhuter ran 2:13.9

looking back now wrote:

one of Rick's greatest runs 1:44:03 (1:26:50 onwards)

http://www.historicfilms.com/tapes/19989

+ 15 year old Mary Decker v the Russians (1:23:40)

Whoa whoa, was he really only 52.95 at 400m?!

Unrelated, do they have the USA vs USSR meet from 10 years prior on that website? The year Lindgren won the 10000m coming out of high school?

Rick was GREAT not even good and a Threat in any race he ran from 800 to a mile, did not win 'em all, but man was he good.

38,000+ for the second day, over 60,000 for the two day meet. Now that is a turnout for a USA track meet.

looking back now wrote:

one of Rick's greatest runs 1:44:03 (1:26:50 onwards)

http://www.historicfilms.com/tapes/19989

+ 15 year old Mary Decker v the Russians (1:23:40)

Thanks to all for remembering the 1000m race. I recall the day in Oslo very well. I asked the meet promoter to have the race rabbit come through the first 400 with a fast pace to set the race up for a world record attempt. Since we had a very good field of runners in the race, the pace remained quick through the 800 meter mark. I took the lead coming around the last turn. The crowd sensed a fast time and cheered wildly as I ran the home stretch into the finish. It was a great race for me. When training and race conditions come together, a record run can result. That day, I ran the 1000 as if it were an 800.

Rick Wohlhuter wrote:

Thanks to all for remembering the 1000m race. I recall the day in Oslo very well. I asked the meet promoter to have the race rabbit come through the first 400 with a fast pace to set the race up for a world record attempt. Since we had a very good field of runners in the race, the pace remained quick through the 800 meter mark. I took the lead coming around the last turn. The crowd sensed a fast time and cheered wildly as I ran the home stretch into the finish. It was a great race for me. When training and race conditions come together, a record run can result. That day, I ran the 1000 as if it were an 800.

Thanks for posting, Rick! You're a legend.

Rick Wohlhuter wrote:

Thanks to all for remembering the 1000m race. I recall the day in Oslo very well. I asked the meet promoter to have the race rabbit come through the first 400 with a fast pace to set the race up for a world record attempt. Since we had a very good field of runners in the race, the pace remained quick through the 800 meter mark. I took the lead coming around the last turn. The crowd sensed a fast time and cheered wildly as I ran the home stretch into the finish. It was a great race for me. When training and race conditions come together, a record run can result. That day, I ran the 1000 as if it were an 800.

If you took the lead on the last turn and second place was 2:16, you must have had a heck of a finish.

I'm glad we have the Durham video but I'd kill for one of Oslo.

Rick Wohlhuter wrote:

Thanks to all for remembering the 1000m race. I recall the day in Oslo very well. I asked the meet promoter to have the race rabbit come through the first 400 with a fast pace to set the race up for a world record attempt. Since we had a very good field of runners in the race, the pace remained quick through the 800 meter mark. I took the lead coming around the last turn. The crowd sensed a fast time and cheered wildly as I ran the home stretch into the finish. It was a great race for me. When training and race conditions come together, a record run can result. That day, I ran the 1000 as if it were an 800.

Hey you're one of my favorite runners. I was in HS in the mid 70s and I remember being so amazed that anyone could run 1:44! I pulled for you in the 76 Oly 1500 against Walker and the 800 against Juantorena. There's nothing cooler than an awesome 800/1500m runner!

Mr. W, did you consider 1974 your peak year?

Hey, I'm Rick's daughter, Mary, and he's one of my favorite runners too! It's pretty cool to see others acknowledge my dad's 40-year-old US record in the 1,000 meters as well as his other achievements in track and field. I've always been in awe of him!

that 1974 started with an 1:51.8 11 lap 880 yards which was the first of 3 wins in a row at Millrose. Little Mary Decker ran 2:27.4 1000 yards there that year. One of the few times Millrose ran a woman's 1000yds

Messi wrote:

Mr. W, did you consider 1974 your peak year?

Using my daughter's account, 1974 was my best year. I set two world records and won numerous races both in the United States and in Europe. WRs included 1:44.1 for 880 yards {this distance still contested} in Eugene, Oregon and 2:13.9 over 1000 meters at the Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Norway. The previous year, 1973, was my next best year setting my first WR at 880 yards at 1:44.3 in Los Angeles and a 4X880 relay WR of 7:10.4 at Duke University in Raleigh, North Carolina. 1975 and 1976 were also good years but no world records.

Rick, what was your most grueling training session that gave you the confidence to get after it?

that you had a very strong indoor career too. You ran some good 600yds too. No, nobody puts on a yards race anywhere- the mile is the closest we see for yards and it's the four minute history that keeps that barely above water.

Mary Wohlhuter wrote:

Using my daughter's account, 1974 was my best year. I set two world records and won numerous races both in the United States and in Europe. WRs included 1:44.1 for 880 yards {this distance still contested} in Eugene, Oregon and 2:13.9 over 1000 meters at the Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Norway. The previous year, 1973, was my next best year setting my first WR at 880 yards at 1:44.3 in Los Angeles and a 4X880 relay WR of 7:10.4 at Duke University in Raleigh, North Carolina. 1975 and 1976 were also good years but no world records.

After Rick Wolhuter I can't recall any Americans breaking middle distance world records.

Sydney Maree had the 1500 WR before he was a US citizen and I do recall Tom Byers breaking an indoor world record for 1000 yards around 1982.

Rick am I right that you were the last American to break a world record in middle distances?

I have the Track and Field News magazine with you on the cover for the 880 WR. It had your face and the results in the background. I think that was the USC venue.

Rick, I will add to the chorus. Great races, great career, and by all accounts from the monogram club and other alumni, you are a stand-up guy. Thanks for posting.

Mary Wohlhuter wrote:

Using my daughter's account, 1974 was my best year. I set two world records and won numerous races both in the United States and in Europe. WRs included 1:44.1 for 880 yards {this distance still contested} in Eugene, Oregon and 2:13.9 over 1000 meters at the Bislett Stadium in Oslo, Norway. The previous year, 1973, was my next best year setting my first WR at 880 yards at 1:44.3 in Los Angeles and a 4X880 relay WR of 7:10.4 at Duke University in Raleigh, North Carolina. 1975 and 1976 were also good years but no world records.

Mr W, thanks for the response.

Had you ever seen that Historic Films footage of 1974 USA VS USSR before you clicked on LetsRun?

1975:

Rick is an absolute legend who many seem to either forget or not give his due credit. This record has withstood attemtps from the likes of Jim Spivey, up to Nick Symmonds and Clayton Murphy. On paper, there have been a few who could take it but none have been able to put their spikes to the tartan and match up with Rick! This record may well turn 50 if Brazier still isn't in top form or doesn't go after it specifically.