Ernie Cunliffe

In September 1960, Ernie Cunliffe ran on a US 4×880 yards team (with Tom Murphy, Jack Yerman, and Jerry Siebert) against the British Empire in a dual meet. The US finished second in the race, but was credited with a world record for the event. Although the British Empire team posted a better time, they represented four different nations so their time could not be accepted for world record purposes. In 1961 Cunliffe set a world indoor best for 1,000 yards of 2:07.9 at the Boston Athletic Association meet.

Cunliffe was AAU indoor champion over 1,000 yards in 1961 and 1964. He twice competed in the 800 metres at the Pan American Games, finishing fifth in 1959 and third in 1963. While at Stanford Cunliffe finished third at the NCAA Championship in the 800 m / 880 yds in both 1959 and 1960. After college Cunliffe joined the Air Force. In later life he used his fitness to begin hiking and climbing mountains. He summited all the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado as well as Mount Kilimanjaro.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:46.6 (1960); 1500 – 3:42.1 (1960 en route in mile race); Mile – 4:00.4 (1960).