Jim Grelle facts for kids
Grelle in 1966
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | September 30, 1936 Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
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| Died | June 13, 2020 (aged 83) | |||||||||||||
| Height | 183 cm | |||||||||||||
| Weight | 68 kg | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 800–5000 m | |||||||||||||
| Club | Multnomah Athletic Club | |||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 800 m – 1:48.4 (1958) 1500 m – 3:38.9 (1964) Mile – 3:55.4 (1965) 5000 m – 14:10.8 (1966) |
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Medal record
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James Edward Grelle (born September 30, 1936 – died June 13, 2020) was an amazing American middle-distance runner. He was best known for his achievements in the 1500-meter race. Jim Grelle competed in the 1960 Olympics, where he finished eighth. He also won a gold medal at the 1963 Pan American Games and a silver medal at the 1959 Pan American Games.
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Meet Jim Grelle: An American Runner
Jim Grelle was a talented runner from Portland, Oregon. He specialized in races that were not too short and not too long, like the 800 meters up to 5000 meters. His most famous races were the 1500 meters and the mile run. He was known for his speed and determination on the track.
Early Running Days
Jim Grelle started his running journey in high school. He attended Lincoln High School in Portland. There, he showed early signs of his talent. He won the Oregon state title in the 880-yard run two years in a row. He achieved these victories in both 1954 and 1955.
College and National Wins
After high school, Jim Grelle continued his running career at the University of Oregon. While running for the Oregon Ducks, he became a top college athlete. In 1959, he won the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship. This was a big achievement, especially after finishing as a runner-up in the two years before.
Jim Grelle also won national championships. He won the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 1960. This win helped him qualify for the Olympics that year. Later, he added two Indoor Championships to his name. These indoor wins happened in 1965 and 1966.
Breaking Records in the Mile
In 1962, Jim Grelle made history at the Mt. SAC Relays. He became only the fourth American runner to complete the mile race in under four minutes. This was a very impressive feat for runners at the time. He loved the Mt. SAC Relays, winning the mile race there three years in a row.
In 1965, Jim Grelle briefly held the American record for the mile run. He ran it in an incredible 3 minutes and 55.4 seconds. However, his record was broken just nine days later by another famous runner, Jim Ryun. Ryun also finished ahead of Grelle in the 1964 Olympic Trials. In 1963, Grelle also held the American record for the 2-mile run, finishing it in 8 minutes and 25.2 seconds.
Honored for His Achievements
Jim Grelle's amazing running career earned him many honors. In 1981, he was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. This recognized him as one of Oregon's greatest athletes. He was also honored by the Mt. SAC Relays in 1991. In 1994, he joined the Oregon Ducks Hall of Fame. These inductions celebrate his lasting impact on the sport.
A Legacy Remembered
Jim Grelle passed away on June 13, 2020. He was 83 years old. He is remembered as a pioneering American middle-distance runner. His records and achievements continue to inspire young athletes.
