NATIONAL DISTANCE RUNNING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2003

April 19 (Boston, Massachusetts) – The National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica, New York, announced today its sixth class of inductees at a press conference supported by the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), as part of the Boston Marathon weekend events. Those selected for induction in 2003 are George Young, Mary Slaney and Jim Ryun.

“It has become a tradition that the announcement be made as part of the festivities celebrating the country’s oldest annual marathon,” said John R. Petrone II, Co-Director of the Distance Running Hall of Fame. “We couldn’t be happier to receive the support that we have from the B.A.A. by making this important announcement here just prior to this glorious race.”

George Young was the first U.S. runner to compete in four different Olympiads, captured a bronze medal in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 1968 Olympics and was a long-time coach at Central Arizona College, where he coached 14 championships in seven sports, including a national championship for the cross-country team in 1988. Mary Slaney exhibited world champion talent at age 14 and won international attention in 1973 with a surprise victory in the 800-meters at the U.S./U.S.S.R. meet. Despite physical problems that kept her from running competitively until 1978 she amazingly set 11 world records throughout her career and continues to hold several U.S. records. Jim Ryun broke the world record for the mile at age 19, inspiring generations. He is a three-time U.S. Olympian in the 1,500-meters and held the world record in five events. As the first prep miler to break four minutes, he won three state mile run titles – the last a national record that still stands.

The Hall of Fame will hold its 2003 Induction Ceremony in its home city of Utica, New York on July 12, as part of Hall of Fame Weekend, featuring the Boilermaker Road Race. The Boilermaker Road Race is the largest 15K road race in the United States and will be held the following day. The induction of these three individuals will bring the number of those enshrined to 24. Inductees are chosen by the Hall of Fame’s Voting Committee, which includes members of the Hall’s Advisory Board, previous inductees and a group of leaders and organizers representing the nation’s running community. The Hall’s Advisory Board is comprised of individuals such as Allan Steinfeld, Director of the New York City Marathon; Julia Emmons, Director of the Peachtree Road Race and President of the Atlanta Track Club; Larry Rawson, ESPN Track/Field and Marathon commentator; George Hirsch, Publisher Emeritus of Runner’s World magazine; and Guy Morse, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association, among others.

“With each induction class we bring more and more credibility to the sport of distance running,” said Earle Reed, Co-Director of the Hall. “We are truly honored to be able to announce this class in cooperation with an event the reputation of the Boston Marathon.”

Contact: Amy R. Hunt, Hall of Fame, 315.724.4525, macenroe@dreamscape.com.