Thomas Conneff facts for kids

Thomas Conneff (born around 1866–1910) was a fantastic Irish runner. He was known for holding the world record for the fastest mile run by an amateur athlete from 1895 to 1911. An "amateur" athlete is someone who plays sports for fun and does not get paid for it.

Early Life and Running Career

Thomas Conneff, also known as "Tommy," was born in Kilmurray, a place in County Kildare, Ireland, on December 10, 1867. When he was about 21 years old, in 1888, he moved to the United States.

Tommy was great at running long distances. He won the national 10-mile championship four years in a row, starting in 1888. He also won national titles for the mile run in 1888 and 1891. By 1893, with help from his coach, Mike Murphy, Tommy became one of the best amateur mile runners around. He was a member of the Manhattan Athletic Club.

Breaking the Mile Record

On August 26, 1893, Tommy Conneff set a new amateur record for the mile run. He ran the mile in 4 minutes and 17 and four-fifths seconds (4:17+4⁄5). This happened at Holmes Field in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He started at the same time as everyone else and quickly passed other runners who had a head start.

His first lap was very fast, taking only 59 seconds. After two laps, he was at 2 minutes exactly. By the third lap, he was at 3 minutes and 7 seconds. Even though he slowed down a little at the end, he still broke the record!

Regaining His Title

Tommy's record was broken in 1895 by another runner named Fred Bacon, who ran the mile in 4 minutes and 17 seconds. Tommy wanted his record back!

After practicing, Tommy ran a three-quarter mile race on August 21, 1895, at Travers Island, New York. He finished in 3 minutes and two and four-fifths seconds (3:02+4⁄5). This was an amazing time that no one beat for 36 years!

Just one week later, back at Travers Island, Tommy Conneff ran another mile race. He had help from other runners who helped set his pace. He ran the first quarter-mile in 62 and two-fifths seconds and the half-mile in 2 minutes and six and three-fifths seconds. By the three-quarter mark, he was at 3 minutes and ten and four-fifths seconds.

Even though he started to slow down near the end, he crossed the finish line and stopped the clock at 4 minutes and 15 and three-fifths seconds (4:15+3⁄5). This amazing run meant he had regained his amateur mile record!

A Champion's Legacy

After breaking the record, Tommy Conneff raced against some of the best British runners. He continued to show he was a top athlete.

A reporter named William B. Curtis wrote about Tommy after his record-breaking run. He said that Tommy was in the best shape he had ever been. He believed Tommy could have even beaten his own record again. The reporter also noted that Tommy was 29 years old at the time and might not improve much more.

Tommy Conneff's amateur mile record stood for many years, finally being broken in 1911. He is remembered as one of the fastest amateur runners of his time.