This Day in Track & Field History, April 15, 2024, Neil Cusack wins Boston Marathon (1974), Lisa Rainsberger wins Boston Marathon (1985), by Walt Murphy News and Result Services

Walt Murphy is one of the finest track geeks that I know. Walt does #ThisDayinTrack&FieldHistory, an excellent daily service that provides true geek 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.

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By Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service (wmurphy25@aol.com), used with permission.

Clarification–Marathon Records

The IAAF (now World Athletics) didn’t recognize World Records in road races until 2004. They instituted course standards to determine if performance would be eligible for record consideration (USATF has the same policy). Boston, a “point-to-point” race (with runners sometimes aided by a tailing wind) and downhill in the early stages of the race, is one of the courses that doesn’t conform to those standards. While some would prefer we use the term “best,” we will continue to refer to relevant marks achieved in Boston (and elsewhere) before 2004 as American/World Records.

This Day in Track & Field–April 15

1928—Margaret Jenkins set an American Record of 129-1  ½ (39.25) in the Javelin in  Santa Clara, CA.

Was a 2-time U.S. Champion in the Javelin (1927,1928) and a 2-time U.S. Olympian in the Discus (1928,1932-9^th)

San Jose Sports Hall of Fame: https://sjsa.org/margaret-jenkins/

https://www.mercurynews.com/2008/11/14/a-woman-of-firsts-honored-at-last/

1961—Romania’s Iolanda Balas cleared 6-1  ½ (1.87) in Bucharest to set the 11^th of her 14 World Records in the High Jump.

WR Progression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women%27s_high_jump_world_record_progression

1967—Texas Southern, anchored by Jim Hines, ran 39.6 at Grambling to tie Southern University’s year-old World Record in the 440y-relay. Hines would win two gold medals (100,4×100) at the following year’s Olympics in Mexico City.

1972—Sweden’s Kjell Isaakson bettered his week-old World Record of 18-1 (5.51) in the Pole Vault when he cleared 18-2 (5.54) at the Meet of Champions in Westwood, CA (UCLA).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeBBYSZW7_8

WR Progression: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men%27s_pole_vault_world_record_progression

1974—Neil Cusack (2:13:39) of…