The Brit surprised the world in 1984 by breaking the marathon world report on the Chicago Marathon
Forty years in the past on October 21, 1984, Steve Jones made historical past by profitable the Chicago Marathon in 2:08:05 – his first-ever accomplished marathon. In doing so, the Welshman broke the world report.
The race was initially anticipated to be a showdown between two marathon greats: Olympic champion Carlos Lopes and reigning world champion Rob de Castella. Nevertheless, it was Jones, an RAF mechanic, who stole the highlight.
The 29-year-old on the time broke De Castella’s world report of two:08:18, set in Fukuoka, Japan, by 13 seconds.
What made Jones’ feat much more spectacular was his lack of knowledge that he was on record-breaking tempo. Not like at the moment’s runners, who often depend on watches, Jones ran with out a watch. He solely realized he was on monitor for a world report with two miles remaining within the race.
The 2-time Olympian had tried his marathon debut a 12 months earlier on the 1983 Chicago Marathon however was compelled to withdraw at 17.5 miles resulting from an ankle harm.
His world report stood till April 1985, when Carlos Lopes set a brand new mark of two:07:12 on the Rotterdam Marathon.
Regardless of dropping the report, Jones remained a dominant power in marathon operating. In the identical 12 months Lopes set a brand new report, Jones gained the London Marathon in 2:08:16, regardless of making a cease for the bathroom mid-race.
Steve Jones (Getty)
Later in 1985, Jones returned to Chicago and ran 2:07:13 – only one second shy of Lopes’ world report.
Though he missed out on the world report, this time he set a British report, which stood for a powerful 33 years. It wasn’t till 2018 that Mo Farah lastly broke it, clocking 2:05:11, additionally in Chicago.
In 1988, he set a course report of two:08:20 to win the New York Metropolis Marathon. The 12 months prior, he completed second on the Boston Marathon.
In whole, Jones competed in 18 marathons, profitable 5 main titles: Chicago in 1984 and 1985, London in 1985, New York in 1988, and Toronto in 1992.
To have fun the 40-year anniversary, you could find our authentic protection from Steve Jones’ world report by way of the Athletics Weekly archive.
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