LEGENDARY JAYHAWKS
Jim Ryun (1966-69)
There is perhaps no other athlete more associated with Kansas distance running than Jim Ryun. His legend extends far beyond his KU acomplishments. A three-time Olympian (1964, 1968 and 1972), Ryun captured silver at the 1968 games in Mexico City in the 1,500 meters, duplicating the performance of former Jayhawk Glenn Cunningham at the 1936 games. During his tenure at KU from 1966-69, Ryun broke five world records, including the world outdoor mile record twice, and also claimed five individual NCAA titles. Before attending Kansas, Ryun became the first high school runner to complete the mile run in under four minutes. In addition, his national high school mile record of 3:55.3, set over 30 years ago, still stands today for events completed in the U.S. Inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1982, Ryun’s statue at Rim Rock Farm sits atop the Jim Ryun Skyline Bend and is among the first statues visitors see when turning into Rim Rock Farm.
RYUN’S ACCOLADES • Broke five world records while at Kansas • Five NCAA Championships • Still Holds 11 Outdoor and three Indoor Track and Field records • 1972 Olympic Silver Medalist in 1,500-meter run
RYUN’S WORLD RECORDS AT KANSAS 1966: Mile (Outdoor): 3:51.3 1967: Mile (Outdoor): 3:51.1 1966: 880-yard run (Outdoor): 1:44.9 1967: 880-yard run (Indoor): 1:48.3 1967: 1,500-meter run: 3:33.1
RYUN’S NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS 1967: Mile, Indoor 1968: Mile, Indoor 1968: Two-Mile, Indoor 1969: Mile, Indoor 1967: Mile, Outdoor
46 2008 JAYHAWK CROSS COUNTRY
