Walt Murphy is one of the finest track geeks that I know. Walt does #ThisDayinTrack&FieldHistory, an excellent daily service providing the true geek’s stories about our sport. You can check out the service for FREE with a free one-month trial subscription! (email: WaltMurphy44@gmail.com ) for the entire daily service. We will post a few historic moments each day, beginning February 1, 2024.
This Day in Track & Field–February 9
by Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service (wmurphy25@aol.com), used with permission
1929–15,000 fans in Madison Square Garden cheered wildly as Ray Conger passed the legendary Paavo Nurmi in the last ½-lap to win the Wanamaker Mile in 4:17.4. It was the first of three consecutive Wanamaker wins for Conger, who dropped out of the 1500 final at the 1928 Olympics.
He was treated to an indoor version of NY’s famed Ticker-Tape parades as he was showered with torn pieces of paper.
“When the American star broke the tape, sedate old gentlemen were slapping each other on the back. Strangers were shaking hands. The band played “Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue”. (From the NY Times Archives)
(For subscribers): https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/02/10/95878999.html?pageNumber=157
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Conger
1957–Arnie Sowell ran 1:50.3 at the 50th Millrose Games to set a World Record in the 1/2-mile. He also got credit for the World Record for 800 meters (1:49.7). Finishing 2nd to Sowell for the 8th straight time indoors was Tom Courtney, the 1956 Olympic Champion at 800 meters.
There was a lot of pre-race hype about the impending duel, with Courtney, who had tied the 600y record the week before in Boston, moving up in distance to take on his old rival.
“Last week, I was full of running and tied the 600 record,” Courtney contemplated. “So, logically, I should run the 600 again, but I want the chance to beat Sowell.”
Sowell, meanwhile, was more concerned with getting ready to run the 1000y two weeks later at the U.S. Indoor Championships.
“While it may not be nice to say no to meet directors who invite you,” Sowell observed on Millrose eve, “I’m not ready to run my best yet. To be truthful, I’m a little tired of all the talk about a rivalry. Sometimes it can help you win, but it can also beat you. Courtney’s not the one to take the lead, but if the pace is slow, I’ll have to. If I’m out front and thinking too much about…
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