Tom O'Hara (July 5, 1942 – August 27, 2019)[1] was an American middle-distance runner. He was the first native of the state of Illinois to break the four-minute barrier for the mile run when he ran 3:59.4 in 1963. O'Hara was born in Chicago, Illinois.[2] He also held the world record for fastest mile indoors, which was set when he ran 3:56.6 on February 13, 1964. He beat that record on March 6 of the same year with a time of 3:56.4, a world record, later equalled by Jim Ryun but not beaten for ten years until Tony Waldrop ran 3:55.0 in 1974.
At St. Ignatius College Prep High School, in Chicago, Illinois, O'Hara was a star runner on the school's cross country and track and field teams, often running—and winning—the quarter mile, half mile, mile, and mile relay in a single meet. He was a member of the Loyola University Chicago track, cross country, and indoor track teams. He was the individual champion of NCAA Men's Division I Cross Country Championship in 1962, and he participated in the 1500 m at the 1964 Summer Olympics, where he qualified for the semi-finals of the 1500 metres.
References
- ^ "Loyola Mourns The Passing Of Tom O'Hara". Loyola University Chicago Athletics. Retrieved 2019-08-29.
- ^ Ryan, Shannon (2019-08-28). "Loyola track legend Tom O'Hara dies; the 1964 Olympian set an indoor world record in the mile". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2019-09-03.
- Creamer, Robert. "From Humdrum To Well-done In One Easy Mile," Sports Illustrated, February 24, 1964.
- Brody, Tom C. "Now, If O'hara Really Tries...," Sports Illustrated, March 16, 1964.
- Underwood, John. "Running Is Such Sweet Torture," Sports Illustrated, June 22, 1964.
- Loyola Ramblers Hall of Fame Members – Loyola University Chicago.
