Track Running
Jesse Owens the Track Runner
Jesse Owens is one of the most famous track runners in history. He is especially known for his four gold medals he received at the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, however, much work was put into getting him there. In 1913, James Owens moved from Cleveland to Alabama in hopes of a better life. J.C., as he was known as then, was enrolled in a public school and when the teacher asked him his name she misunderstood. She thought she heard the name Jesse and from that point forward, that is what he was called. Unfortunately, Cleveland did not bring the bounties they had hoped for. Jesse started taking on different jobs in his spare time such as delivering groceries, loading freight cars, and working in a shoe repair shop. During this poor time in his life, Jesse discovered his joy of running, which would mark a turning point in his life. On day at school, the gym activity of the day was timing the 60 yard dash. The school coach, Coach Charlie Riley, noticed Jesse's natural talent and urged him to join the school track team. However, Jesse had to continue working after schools, so the coach offered to train him before school in the mornings. Jesse willingly agreed. Jesse became a track star in his high school as he tied the world record in the 100 yard dash.
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Track Runner Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph is an extremely important figure in the world of track running, not only because of her accomplishments, but because of her personal history. When she was very young, she was diagnosed with polio, a disease that usually leaves its victims unable to walk. Because of the expense, she only ever went to the hospital twice as a child. Her treatment was home remedies given to her by her mother. She would spend hours each night massaging her legs and telling Wilma that one day she would walk without braces. This dream became a reality when she was 12 years old. She was able to take of the braces and walk with all the other children. Wilma had an older sister on the basketball team, prompting her to join as well. It was on the court when she was in tenth grade that she was spotted by Coach Edward S. Temple, a Tennessee track and field coach. The only running Wilma had done was on the school track team as a means to keep busy when basketball was not in season. While setting state records on the basketball court for her high school, she was also on the U.S. Olympic track and field team receiving a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 meter relay in the 1956 Melbourne Games. From here, the winning continued into the 1960 Summer Olympic in Rome, setting a new Olympic record, as well as a world record.
