Jim Grelle

Jim Grelle was a top miler for the United States in the early 1960s. He ran in college for the University of Oregon, where he was coached by the legendary Bill Bowerman, and one of his teammates was Phil Knight, who later founded Nike. After finishing second in 1957 and 1958, Grelle was NCAA champion in 1959, and AAU champion in 1960. He twice competed at the Pan American Games, winning a gold medal in 1963 and a silver medal in 1959. He also won the AAU indoor mile in 1965-66. He was a three-time mile champion at the Mt. SAC Relays, winning in 1962-64. Grelle set the American mile record of 3:55.4 in early 1965, although it was beaten only nine days later by Jim Ryun, and also set the American 2-mile record of 8:25.2 in 1963. He narrowly missed the 1964 Olympics when he edged out for third by Ryun at the US Olympic Trials.

Grelle later coached for a time at the University of Portland and had a long career with Colgate Palmolive. He is a member of the Mt. SAC Relay Hall of Fame, the Oregon Ducks Hall of Fame, and the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:48.4 (1958); 1500 – 3:38.9 (1964); Mile – 3:55.4 (1965); 2 miles – 8:25.2 (1966); 3 miles – 13:43.4 (1967); 5000 – 14:10.8 (1966).