Running, Track and Field discussion

Since most of us in the group are in agreement that the story of Glenn Cunningham, the American miler who came back from severe burns in his youth to be a champion miler, is one of courage and inspiraion, I thought I'd like to suggest to everyone that perhaps we try to read his book Never Quit by Glenn Cunningham and discuss it. Is anyone else interested in this? I've ordered the book through my local library via library loan. If you can't find Glenn's book there is also American Miler: The Life and Times of Glenn Cunningham by Paul J. Kiell out there.

Steve,

Great idea! I am trying to locate a copy and will read it as soon as I get my hands on it.

As I have stated in other posts with this Group, Glenn Cunningham is the reason I ran the mile competitively. In old photographs of him racing, his facial expressions are consistently calm and even serene, conveying his strength, courage, and resilience.

Recently I came across a photo on line from the late 1970s with the three great University of Kansas milers: Jim Ryun, Wes Santee, and Glenn Cunningham. The three of them are in Kansas track uniforms and running three abreast on the track in Lawrence. UK could probably sell copies of this photo; I'd buy one!

I forgot that Cunningham was a Kansas runner, and Wes Santee as well. Ryun was following in a great tradition.
I'm curious to see how Kansas track programs are faring these days, I'll have to go check out their website and the lists from Track and Field News.
My library copy of Cunningham's book is on the way, I'll post when I receive it and start it.

Steve,

Do you know whether a movie --- the classic "biopic" --- was ever made about Glenn Cunningham? It would be a terrific story of resilience, courage and triumph against the odds --- and all completely true.

Doug,
I found this information on this link:
http://www.runningmovies.com/c.htm

"Champions Never Quit"
This 1973 biographical production lasts 77-minutes and tells the story of Glenn Cunningham, who was badly burned at age 7 and was not expected to walk again. He overcame the odds and was the fastest American miler during the 1930’s setting a world record in 1934 of 4:06.8 that stood for three years. In the 1936 Olympic 1500 meter race Cunningham finished second and two weeks later set a 800 meter world record of 1:49.7. The first 10-minutes of this film was released under the title "Dream Big". "

Steve,

I am convinced that there is nothing you don't know or can't find.

Thank you very much for searching and then notifying all of us with your results. I'll check into acquiring a copy of "Champions Never Quit."

I trust that you are well.

Best regards from neighboring South Carolina.

Doug

The courageous Glenn Cunningham was a regular subject in Life magazine throughout the 1930s.

For dire hard track fans and Glenn Cunningham admirers, here is the link to a typical article about our hero.

http://books.google.com/books?id=tEoE...

As anyone who knows Glenn Cunningham's story can confirm, Glenn had few toes remaining after the explosion and fire nearly burned his legs off. The Life magazine story mentioned above contains a caption to a photograph of Glenn putting on his track shoes. He needed to tape the shoes so that they would not come off during the race. In other words, Glenn did not have enough toes to keep his shoes snug on his feet. Yet he was the world record holder in the mile. Simply amazing.

Douglas wrote: "As anyone who knows Glenn Cunningham's story can confirm, Glenn had few toes remaining after the explosion and fire nearly burned his legs off. The Life magazine story mentioned above contains a c..."

Cunningham's life remains proof that courage and spirit can overcome almost any obstacle.