Episode 2 of the Track & Field History podcast takes a look at one of the great individual rivalries not only in track & field but in all of sports: Jim Ryun vs Marty Liquori. All nine of their head-to-head matchups took place between 1967 and 1971, the last of which was known as the "Dream Mile" and had as much hype as a title fight.

Ryun was the first high schooler to ever run a sub-4:00 mile and became the world's best as a high school senior. Few dominated the mile as he did in 1966 and '67 -- but two years later he was a mere mortal again and faced a fast-rising Liquori, who in 1967 became the third American high schooler under 4:00 and in '68 became the youngest Olympic 1500 finalist ever.

I discuss the rivalry with John Jarvis, a central Ohio teacher and coach who guided Andrew Jordan to high school All-American status.

YouTube video of the 1971 Dream Mile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV3utanpsA

Recommended Read: The Ryun vs. Liquori Duels by Villanova Running http://villanovarunning.blogspot.com/2009/12/ryun-vs-liquori-duels.html

Runner's World Jim Ryun and Marty Liquori chat: https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20834382/chat-jim-ryun-and-marty-liquori/

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Track and Field History with Jesse SquireBy CITIUS MAGApr 13, 2020