Discussion: The Unforgiving Minute

Ron Clarke's 1966 biography, out of print for years, is now available in a reprint from Runners Tribe.

Younger APers may not know much about Ron, but he was the first man to run under 28 minutes for 10,000m when he ran 27:39.4 in 1965. That time would have been good enough to win the Olympics in 1968, '76, '80, '84 and '92 (in 1972 Lasse Viren won in Munich in 27:38.4 ie one second quicker; he also won in Montreal in '76 - in a slower time - but was suspected of blood doping). The World Champs winning times have also been slower than 27:39 in 1983 (the first WC), '87, '91, '93, '99, 2001, '03 and as recently as 2009!

Ron's 27:39.4 remained the Australian National record for 31 years until 1996, and has still only been bettered 4 times by other Australians, all by less than 11 seconds.

He was a true phenomenon in his day. I had the great pleasure to see him run live on several occasions since he was a regular at the track events at Stockholm Olympic Stadium. May even have seen him do a World Record there - does 13.16,6 for 5000 m ring a bell? Certainly a very good time still, but of course the records have moved on...

Ron was a typical front runner - just going out there doing his thing - but was useless when it came to a sprint finish so he never got any of the big championship victories.

Thanks for posting this Simmo, I think I'm going to track it down.

One of the true greats - even without an Olympic gold. On my must read list.

That 13:16.6 lasted even longer than the 10,000 as Australian record - until 1999, and even now only 3 Australians have run faster, although Craig Mottram has done it several times.

When I was a teenager running middle distance at school, Herb Elliott was my hero. Ron Clarke was a year older and had set a world junior mile record, but after lighting the flame at the Melbourne Olympics he didn't progress and Herb of course became probably the greatest miler/1500m runner ever, undefeated, Olympic Champion, and smashing world records. After a few years off, studying and playing Aussie Rules football, Ron returned to the track, running longer distances. He broke many records (at one stage he held every world record from 2 miles to 20km), but could not win a major championship. Rumour has it though, that Ron was much admired by Zatopek, who gave him one of his four Olympic golds.

I wonder if Herb's book, the Golden Mile is still in print? I lost my copy - a 15th birthday present in 1961 - around 20 years ago.

It was definitely a different era; one of his world records was set at a midweek interclub meeting (and if I recall correctly after a normal day at work).

Simmo, have you looked for it under the sink? A lot of stuff gets lost there.

Simmo, go find it :-) Herb's book is out of print and fetching $300-400 used.
You would also like this more recent one: Perfect Mile

Abebooks has a copy listed for the bargain price of $120. o_O

I have Snell's and Murray Halberg's bios in hardcover... better be careful with them eh?
("no bugles, no drums" and "a clean pair of heels.")

Lock and key! Lydiard and Cerutty have a lot to answer for.
BTW Anyone seen Peter S orienteering recently?