This Day in Track History

1991- Noureddine Morceli of Algeria sets a new World Indoor Record in the 1500m of 3:34.16.  Morceli's record stood for 6 years until current world record holder, Hicham El Guerrouj ran 3:31.  Morceli won 4 world championships at 1500 meters and won the Olympic title at the distance in 1996.  He was the dominant force in the 1500 distance from the early 90s until the rise of El G, the current world record holder.  He was coached by his brother who was an Olympian in 1980 and 1984.

Morceli winning Worlds with a smile

This Day in Running- February 12th

This day in running, February 12th...

1909- James Clark of the United States ran a then-world record of 2:46:52.8 in the Marathon.  Clark set this record in the Brooklyn Marathon, beating the previous record set on January 1st of the same year, by nearly 6 minutes.  Clark's record would prove to be short lived as well.  Clark later became the President of the Long Island Athletic Club.

1997- Hicham El Guerrouj also set the World Indoor record in the Mile at 3:48.45.  "El G" was a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist in the 5k and 1500 in Athens as well as a silver in the 1500 4 years earlier in Sydney.  He also captured 7 World Championship Gold Medals from 1997 to 2003.  El G also holds records indoors and out for the 1500 and the Outdoor Mile and 2000m.

El G celebrating his second Gold in Athens