The Brit shocked the world in 1984 by breaking the marathon world document on the Chicago Marathon
Forty years in the past on October 21, 1984, Steve Jones made historical past by successful the Chicago Marathon in 2:08:05 – his first-ever accomplished marathon. In doing so, the Welshman broke the world document.
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 document of two:08:18, set in Fukuoka, Japan, by 13 seconds.
What made Jones’ feat much more spectacular was his ignorance that he was on record-breaking tempo. Not like at present’s runners, who normally depend on watches, Jones ran with out a watch. He solely realized he was on monitor for a world document with two miles remaining within the race.
The 2-time Olympian had tried his marathon debut a yr earlier on the 1983 Chicago Marathon however was compelled to withdraw at 17.5 miles resulting from an ankle harm.
His world document stood till April 1985, when Carlos Lopes set a brand new mark of two:07:12 on the Rotterdam Marathon.
Regardless of dropping the document, Jones remained a dominant pressure in marathon working. In the identical yr Lopes set a brand new document, Jones received 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 document.
Though he missed out on the world document, this time he set a British document, which stood for a formidable 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 document of two:08:20 to win the New York Metropolis Marathon. The yr prior, he completed second on the Boston Marathon.
In complete, Jones competed in 18 marathons, successful 5 main titles: Chicago in 1984 and 1985, London in 1985, New York in 1988, and Toronto in 1992.
To have a good time the 40-year anniversary, you could find our unique protection from Steve Jones’ world document by way of the Athletics Weekly archive.
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