Norris McWhirter was known around the world for his best-selling Guinness Book of Records, which he founded with his twin brother, Ross, in 1955. But few realize he also participated in one of history’s most memorable moments in 1954, one that is about to be replayed around the world.
McWhirter was the public announcer at the track calling the race when Roger Bannister cracked the four-minute mile. The date was May6, 1954 in Oxford, England.
“They are going to recreate the famous mile race at the exact time [6 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time],” said Dave Watt, executive director of the American Running Association. “They are having quite an event [at the track in Oxford] on May 6th.”
McWhirter died April 19, 17 days before the celebrations take place.
Watt will have an event in the District. His ARA Honors gala on May26 will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Bannister breakthrough. He has lined up dozens of sub-4 minute milers from around the world.
“It’s been a roller coaster, but our lineup is looking great — Don Bowden, Wes Santee, Jim Bailey from the ’50s, plus others,” Watt said. One of the others is Kip Keino, Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500 meters in 1968 and the steeplechase in 1972.
Watt initially sought Sir Roger himself for keynote speaker but, he said, “Bannister canceled his commitment and all travel to the U.S. this year on January 3rd, ironically right in the midst of the British Airways Heathrow to Dulles flight cancellations.”
There is a consolation. “In return, he offered me an exclusive videotaped session,” Watt said. “I asked him if I/we could come to Oxford and film an interview [Watt and a film crew spent three days there]. He is so polished and unassuming. We will have a mini-documentary to show [at the gala] that will incorporate the interview and race footage.”
To bolster the crowd of sub-4s, Watt said he is offering a gala ticket to any sub-4 miler who wants to attend.
Mills returns — If ever you need to be inspired, find a clip of the Olympic 10,000-meter from Tokyo in 1964. In that race, unknown Billy Mills staged what was the greatest comeback and upset in track and field history by defeating England’s Ron Hill for the gold medal.
To commemorate his victory, the Sioux Indian and former Marine captain will be the official starter at this October’s Marine Corps Marathon. It will be Mills’ second time at the helm, having also sent off the masses in 1999.
In addition to appearing at the starting platform, Mills will be a featured speaker at the MCM Pasta Party held the day before the Oct.31 race.
Mills travels as much as 300 days a year as national spokesman of Running Strong for American Indian Youth.
Notes from Boston — Marathon darling Uta Pippig won over the city with her kiss-blowing style and her three victories from 1994 to 1996. Since then, she has been trying to gain U.S. citizenship as she does much of her training in Boulder, Colo. During Boston Marathon weekend a week ago, she said she is about two months away from becoming an American. …
Nobody probably noticed that a 29-year-old Kenyan male placed 24th overall, which on the face of it seems strange. Kenyans are supposed to finish in the top 10.
Except for the fact that the 24th male was Henry Wanyoike, who is blind. His 2:33:15 crushed the world record for his category, B1, which means he sees nothing.
I met Wanyoike two years ago at a 5-kilometer race in Boston. The organizers were trying to find three college students to guide Wanyoike for each of the miles in the race. Since Wanyoike was planning sub-5 minute miles, it was a challenge to find fast guides.
This is the same guy who was gunning for the B1 world record in the 5,000 meters at the World Blind Games a few years back when his guide could no longer keep up in the last mile. Wanyoike dragged the guide around the track to the finish and broke the world record.
At Boston, two guides split the duty, which was a tough job. One had to run a 1:15:16 half-marathon, and the other had to go 1:17:59.
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