Lovelock wins ‘Mile of the century’

In June 1934, a year after Lovelock set his world mile record at Palmer Stadium, Princeton, the college staged another invitational meeting. This time American Glenn Cunningham broke the record, running the mile in 4 minutes 6.7 seconds.

The college decided to repeat the event on a grand scale in June 1935. The world’s top milers, including Lovelock, were invited to compete in what the media later dubbed the ‘Mile of the Century’.

Lovelock accepted his invitation in March 1935. He soon realised that other athletes from outside the US would not be attending. The focus of the race would be on his contest with the Americans. The event inspired great interest in Britain, the US and New Zealand. As Lovelock left England he received a telegram from New Zealand Prime Minister G.W. Forbes wishing him luck ‘on behalf of the Government and people of the Dominion’.

The weather on the day was hot; Lovelock wore his favourite floppy panama hat while warming up. The meeting was scheduled to start at 5.15 p.m., after a football match between Princeton and Yale, with the mile at 6 p.m. That morning the papers had speculated that a world record might be set. But the heat and a head wind in the home straight put paid to this possibility.

The field included world record holder Cunningham, Glen Dawson (who had beaten Cunningham a few weeks earlier), Bill Bonthron (the world record holder for the 1500 m), Gene Venzke and Joe Mangan. Dawson and Cunningham started fast, but within 30 m the field had settled and everyone seemed to be waiting for someone else to take the initiative. Dawson edged ahead, with Cunningham just behind, followed by Venzke, Lovelock and Bonthron. After 180 m Lovelock decided that ‘he had to get onto Cunningham’s heels’. He caught up to Cunningham and kept pace with him for much of the rest of the race. Lovelock made his move just before the final straight. He finished comfortably ahead of Cunningham, who was also overtaken by Bonthron.

Lovelock’s time of 4 minutes 11.5 seconds was his second-fastest mile but well outside the world record. The crowd didn’t seem bothered; hundreds were so keen to touch Lovelock that he needed protection. He lost his panama hat in the melee, but it was returned following a public plea – with the suggestion that he might provide his running shorts (autographed) in return.

• Image: Jack Lovelock after the 'Mile of the Century'