TOP 10 GREATEST HIGH SCHOOL DISTANCE RUNNERS OF ALL TIME

There's cross country success, then there's 1 mile and 2 mile dominance.

Throughout the years, we've seen some incredible talents in high school distance running. Whether it's Alan Webb running a 3:53 mile, or Lukas Verzbicas repeating as a 2-time Footlocker National Champion, various athletes have made a powerful impression in distance running.

But which high school male athletes have been the absolute best? In this video, we'll take a deep dive into the history of high school distance running, and hopefully, we'll pinpoint exactly who is the all time greatest.

Leave a comment with your opinion.

Don't forget, this is just my opinion.

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Instagram: Total Running Productions

Mic: Samson Meteor Mic

[gabrielmaurad]

U know this list gonna be stacked when Galen Rupp is only #10 😂

[marcussosa]

I like how he put all the Hs runners of our generation on the honorable mentions

[sandyacombs]

Most of Jim Ryun's records were set on dirt tracks that are considerably slower than today's synthetic tracks.

[Jacob-fvgz]

Ik this was made in july but Nico young set the course record at Woodbridge with 13:39

[philshuster]

I was a sophomore in high school in Kansas when Jim Ryun was a a senior at East High in Wichita. I ran the 880. Jim Ryun was a legend and am very proud he was from the Land of Oz!!!

[charlesthorndike]

Age records in the mile prior to Jakob Ingebrigtsen:
16: 4:06.7 - Barrie Williams
17: 3:57.43 - Steve Cram
18: 3:53.43 - Alan Webb
19: 3:51.3 - Jim Ryun

Jakob's mile times:
16: 3:56.29
17: 3:52.28
18: 3:51.30
19: (we'll have to wait and see)

[benchavis]

Rudy Chapa still holds the H S 10, 000 meter record 45 years later at 28:32 and qualified for the Olympic trials.

[LinamQB]

My Grandpa, Dave Kemp, coached #9 Jeff Nelson in high school. It’s true, he ran well over 100 miles a week and my grandpa ran with him during it. Legendary shit!

[rahnlipp]

It would be interesting to speculate what early distance runners could run with modern amenities: superior track surfaces, improvements in trainers and race gear, and big meets with pro talent.

[littleo]

A good list. Ryun deserves to be #1. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting him at a running camp in PA about 10 years ago. What a good man he is!! Uniquely good.

[GrowlinWillie]

I ran the mile in high school, I graduated in 1965, like Jim Ryan. In 1962, our sophomore year, Ryan had the fastest high school mile, about 4:08. I told everyone that he would break 4 minutes in high school, and I was right.

[paulthompson]

No mention of Tim Danielson or Marty Liquori - 2nd and 3rd sub-4:00 minute HS milers. What is remarkable about their performance is that they set these marks in the '60s when equipment and track surfaces were significantly poorer than they are today. But I totally agree with Ryun, Lindgren, and Pre (though I would rank Pre higher) who also ran in this era.
Love your work - much appreciated.

[travisjohnson]

Steve Prefontaine was a dominant high school runner! Undefeated and unmatched! "Pre's People" documentary shows unseen photos, film and untold stories of what made him great from an early age! Inspiring!

[jgt]

No hunter for 7:59 3000, 1:48 800m, 3:57 mile? Not to mention he doubled back after the 1:48 800m to run 8:44 3200. He sadly got Lyme disease and couldn't do too much later

[samdamanforman]

I actually met Jim Ryun a couple years ago. I was a sophomore in high school and me and my brother went to a Crosscountry motivational convention at a random high school. They had several runners there and Jim Ryun was the last one to speak. At the time I had no idea who he was but after his speech I was greatly humbled to be in the presence of such a phenomenal person and athlete. I got a picture with him and it remains to be one of the greatest moments in my running life.

[derekjohnson]

Gotta be Ryun at #1 but it feels like #4 might be too low for Webb

[patsfan]

I feel hunter could’ve made the actual list. 3rd fastest mile and xc 5k. And the comeback.

Also is there any real evidence for lindgrens alleged training or is it just his word because he also claimed to run a 16:08 4-mile

And lastly isn’t ingenrigsten technically a highschooler or was it only americans

[ryancoleyTurkey]

Ready for the new upload of this video

[jacksonconey]

Craig Virgin doesn’t have the 3 mile high school national record anymore 😂😂😂. My boy Nico Young just broke it. 13.39.7 baby!!

[danl]

Great job! Guessing from your voice, you're a young guy and I give you credit for giving runners like Ryun and Lindgren their due. I'm younger than they are, but when I started running as a freshman in high school, the older guys spoke of these two with reverence. Ryun was the prototype, tall lean, and powerful with great natural speed and endurance. Lindgren was the opposite. Shorter than most at five six, he had a racecar engine on a VW frame. He nearly broke the four minute in high school with a 4:01.6! Personal demons and injuries cut his career short, but when he was on, he was nearly unbeatable. You should do a feature on Lindgren and his running style.