Jim Grelle

James Edward Grelle (September 30, 1936 – June 13, 2020) was an American middle-distance runner.[3] He had his best achievements in the 1500 m event, finishing eighth at the 1960 Olympics, winning a gold and a silver medal at the Pan American Games in 1963 and 1959, respectively.[1]

Jim Grelle
Grelle in 1966
Personal information
Born(1936-09-30)September 30, 1936
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
DiedJune 13, 2020(2020-06-13) (aged 83)
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight68 kg (150 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)800–5000 m
ClubMultnomah Athletic Club
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)800 m – 1:48.4 (1958)
1500 m – 3:38.9 (1964)
Mile – 3:55.4 (1965)
5000 m – 14:10.8 (1966)[1][2]
Medal record
Representing  United States
Pan American Games
1963 Sao Paulo 1500 m
1959 Chicago 1500 m

Grelle's first success was winning back to back Oregon state titles in the 880 yard run in 1954 and 1955 for Lincoln High School in Portland.[4]

While running for the University of Oregon he won the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship in 1959 after being a runner up the previous two years.[5] Leading up to the 1960 Olympics, he won the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.[6] He also added two Indoor Championships in 1965 and 1966.[7]

In 1962 at the Mt. SAC Relays Grelle became the 4th American sub-4 minute miler.[8] He won the Mile there three years in a row. In 1965 he briefly held the American record in the mile at 3:55.4. Nine days later, Jim Ryun improved upon the record. Ryun also relegated Grelle to a non-qualifying fourth place in the 1964 Olympic Trials. Previously in 1963 he held the American record in the 2 mile run at 8:25.2.[9]

Grelle was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1981,[9] to the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame in 1991,[10] and to the Oregon Ducks Hall of Fame in 1994.[5]

Grelle died on June 13, 2020 at the age of 83.[11]

References
  1. "Jim Grelle". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on December 16, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  2. Jim Grelle. trackfield.brinkster.net
  3. https://www.newsbreak.com/news/0PL2uQyC/former-oregon-duck-and-olympian-jim-grelle-dies
  4. "Lincoln High School Track and Field Biographies and Trivia". www.runningmovies.com. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  5. "Jim Grelle". University of Oregon Athletics. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2012.
  6. "USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions Men's 1,500 m". USA Track & Field. Archived from the original on August 21, 2007. Retrieved August 9, 2007.
  7. USA Track & Field – USA Indoor Track & Field Champions. Usatf.org. Retrieved on June 15, 2018.
  8. "The U.S. Sub-4:00 Club: A Chronological Listing of U.S. Milers Who Have Broken The Big Barrier" (PDF). Track and Field News. February 15, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 7, 2010. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
  10. "Jim Grelle". www.mtsacrelays.com. Retrieved October 29, 2017.
  11. "University of Oregon running great, 1960 Olympian Jim Grelle dies Saturday at 83". oregonlive.com. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
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