What makes the Mile so special?

"I wanted to be part of its history, to break the world record. If you want to be one of the great runners, you must be part of this Mile history."

By Chris Turner for World Athletics Heritage

The Mile distance has captured the sporting imagination. Miracle Mile, Mile of the Century, Dream...

Statue honoring Olympic champion Ronnie Delany unveiled in Arklow

First Irish man to also run a sub-4 minute Mile is a "true sporting legend and a wonderful ambassador for Ireland."

From the RTÉ Newsroom

A statue honoring Olympic gold medalist Ronnie Delany has been unveiled in his hometown of Arklow in Co Wicklow.

Mr. Delany won gold in the 1500 meters...

Trophy, bib number from Mile greats Delany & Tabori donated to Heritage

Legends & rivals shared racing history and long-term friendship

By Chris Turner for World Athletics Heritage

Ireland’s Ron Delany and Hungary’s late Laszlo Tabori, two of the standout middle-distance runners of the 1950s, were friends and rivals. A recent discovery in the USA has reignited...

‘Misfit’ Miler was first to break sub-4 minute Mile on U.S. soil

Jim Bailey shocked the world by beating legend John Landy in Los Angeles in 1956

By Dan Fredericks, The Sydney Morning Herald

Australian Jim Bailey was the first runner to break the 4 minute Mile on American soil. He achieved this unexpected, historic feat on May 6, 1956, at the Los Angeles...

The legacy of legend & Olympic champion Ron Delany

His gold at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics changed the way the world looked at Ireland.

By Garry Doyle, The 42

It was just a name; seven little letters, carved into stone yet etched into history. The tourist stood and stared at it, a couple of minutes passing before the chill of a Victorian...

When we were Kings: Ireland’s magic Milers

Island nation's athletes are notable part of the iconic distance's rich history

By Tom Hunt, Irish Examiner

Paul Robinson’s recent world best time of 4:17.9 for a Mile run in sub-zero Antarctica recalled memories of a previous era when Ireland’s leading Milers competed at elite level and...

Ronnie Delany savors Olympic 1500 meter win and record, 60 years ago

Dark horse Irish athlete relives historic day: “Everything else is shut out, the noise, the crowd. For my entire career I don’t ever remember hearing the crowd… Then I make my one move, around the final bend, begin passing them. And there is no pain. The only time you feel pain is when you’re...

The Five Greatest Irish Runners in Villanova History

By Villanova Running

While observers might differ in the rank ordering of the best of the Irish Pipeline to Villanova, there is virtually no doubt that the top four Irish imports to have ever run at Villanova are (in my own rank order): Sonia O'Sullivan, Eamonn Coghlan, Marcus O'Sullivan and...

History on The Boards

The starter's gun in Los Angeles sends off Jim Beatty on the fastest indoor Mile ever run. The field from the pole: Tabori, Beatty, Grelle, Close, Martin

By Tex Maule, Sports Illustrated

Murray Halberg, an almost painfully thin New Zealander with cool light-blue eyes under pale bushy...

Ron takes a turn for the better

"These compliments are very good for a runner. It is what we run for. You know?"

By Tex Maule, Sports Illustrated

Coming into the last turn of Madison Square Garden's 11-lap track, the skinny blond runner had the pole. At his right shoulder and a step behind, Ron Delany matched Istvan...