Jennings, Bonthron Among America’s Greatest Runners
Lynn Jennings, for my money, should be way up there with Bill Bradley and Hobey Baker. According to several students of the sport, she is one of America’s three greatest female distance runners along with Joan Benoit Samuelson and Deena Kastor. She excelled on the track, roads, and at cross country. Jennings won the U.S. championships at 10,000 meters nine times, held the American record, and won a bronze medal at that event in the 1992 Olympic Games. She was the world champion in cross country three times. She also held the world indoor record at 5,000 meters. Never seeking the spotlight, she was known for her humility and work ethic.
Bill Bonthron ’34 was a middle distance runner widely known for his races against Glenn Cunningham and Jack Lovelock back in the 1930s. He held the world record at 1,500 meters and the American record in the mile run. In 1934 he won the Sullivan Award as America’s top amateur athlete. In my opinion, Bonthron deserves a place on the 25 Greatest list.
Lynn Jennings, for my money, should be way up there with Bill Bradley and Hobey Baker. According to several students of the sport, she is one of America’s three greatest female distance runners along with Joan Benoit Samuelson and Deena Kastor. She excelled on the track, roads, and at cross country. Jennings won the U.S. championships at 10,000 meters nine times, held the American record, and won a bronze medal at that event in the 1992 Olympic Games. She was the world champion in cross country three times. She also held the world indoor record at 5,000 meters. Never seeking the spotlight, she was known for her humility and work ethic.
Bill Bonthron ’34 was a middle distance runner widely known for his races against Glenn Cunningham and Jack Lovelock back in the 1930s. He held the world record at 1,500 meters and the American record in the mile run. In 1934 he won the Sullivan Award as America’s top amateur athlete. In my opinion, Bonthron deserves a place on the 25 Greatest list.