Longest Run Streak Ends at 52 Years, 39 Days

[underpants]

On Sunday, Ron Hill did something he hadn’t done in the past half century: He took a day off.

The streak—during which Hill ran at least one mile every day—had stood for 52 years, 39 days. It was the longest known running streak in history.

“After less than 400 metres my heart started to hurt and over the last 800 metres the problem got worse and worse,” the statement reads. “I thought I might I die but just made it to 1 mile in 16 minutes and 34 seconds. There was no other option but to stop. I owed that to my wife, family and friends plus myself.”


The streak was only one small accomplishment in Hill’s career. He competed in the Olympics in 1964, 1968, and 1972. In fact, his disappointment in his performance in the 10,000 meters and marathon at the 1964 Games in Tokyo was what inspired him to begin the streak.

Hill won the Boston Marathon in 1970 in 2:10:30, what was then the course record. He was the second person to break 2:10 in the marathon, running a personal best of 2:09:28. He held world records for 10 miles, 15 miles, and 25K on the roads.




http://www.runnersworld.com/general-interest/longest-run-streak-ends-at-52-years-39-days?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=Social&utm_term=795525865&utm_campaign=Runner%E2%80%99s%20World