American Miler: The Life and Times of Glenn Cunningham
While American athletes such as Allen Webb and Bernard Lagat are leading a resurgence in American mile running, few people may be aware of or remember an era in which American runners actually dominated international competition in this event. One of the most notable athletes of this era was Glenn Cunningham, who competed primarily in the mile and 1500 during the 1930's. In his book American Miler: The Life and Times of Glenn Cunningham (Breakaway Books 2006, Halcottsville, NY, $15.00) Paul J. Kiell M.D. provides a closer look at Cunningham both as an athlete and as a person.

The book begins with a description of Cunningham's early life in Kansas as the fifth-born of seven children. The story immediately takes a tragic turn as Cunningham and his brother Floyd become severely burned during a fire at their school house that occurs when Cunningham is only seven years old. Following months of bedridden recovery, Cunningham ultimately begins to walk and even jog around his family's home. Kiell is able to capture Cunningham's developing passion for running around the farmland by his home and Cunningham's joy at being able to simply be outside and be able to run.

Cunningham is ultimately able to resume school, and the book uses excerpts from Cunningham's own writings to describe his first mile race as a fourth grader. Interestingly, Cunningham's sole motivation for entering the race was to try to win a medal he sees in a shop window, as he states "After gazing in that window and admiring that medal I decided I was going to the track, run the mile, get the medal. Didn't occur to me there'd be other boys in the race. It would be the first track meet I ever attended." Glenn wins the race, beginning his storied career as a miler.

As the depression sets in Glenn must work several jobs, but he is able to convince his father to allow him to return to high school where he competes in several sports, including track. He becomes extremely successful, setting the national high school mile record. In addition to his athletic ability, Kiell also stresses Cunningham's love of learning and school. Kiell describes how Cunningham uses his own money to attend the University of Kansas rather than accepting an athletic scholarship at another institution so that he would not be forced to have his athletic obligations interfere with his academics.

Glenn goes on to achieve great successes in his collegiate and post-collegiate career finishing fourth in the 1500 at the 1932 Olympics and earning a silver medal in Berlin in 1936 in addition to his many victories at prestigious meets such as the Millrose Games. While his athletic successes are great, Kiell emphasizes how Cunningham continued his studies, finishing fifth in his college class and eventually earning a doctorate in biology, health and physical education from New York University. Kiell does an excellent job recounting both Cunningham's athletic accomplishments, but also his post- competitive life and commitment to helping troubled children.

This book provides an interesting look at both an athlete and an era in American running that is often forgotten. It does a good job providing a balanced perspective of Glenn Cunningham, using a variety of sources to illustrate both his strengths and weaknesses. This book is a good read and Cunningham's life can serve as an example for anyone trying to be successful in the face of great obstacles.

Editor note: Elaine Binkley is a first year medical student at The Ohio State University. Last May she graduated as a one of two Valectorians from Denison University where she has earned NCAA Division III All American honors twice in cross-country. She has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All- America (R) Women's Track & Field/Cross Country first team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America in 2005 and 2006. Elaine was recently selected the 2007 Academic All-America of the Year for the College Division in Cross Country and Track and Field. Read more on this honor at: http://www.runohio.com/archive/news/06-28- 07Binkley.html
Binkley also earned All State honors in Cross Country and Track at Bishop Watterson High School.

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