June 9, 1930 – The “Flying Finn,” Paavo Nurmi ran 6 miles at a world record pace of 29:36.4. Just to place that into perspective, the current official world records in the 10,000 meters are held by Kenenisa Bekele with 26:17.53 minutes for men and Almaz Ayana from Ethiopia with 29:17.45 minutes for women.
The Finnish runner, Paavo back in his day dominated distance running in the early 20th century. Nurmi had at one point set 22 official world records at distances between 1500 meters and 20 kilometers! The great athlete also took home nine gold and three silver medals in his twelve events in the Summer Olympic Games he competed.
At his athletic peak, Nurmi was undefeated for 121 races at distances from 800 meters and longer. Throughout his 14-year career, he remained unbeaten in cross country events and the 10,000 meters.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
History of NBA Team Nicknames: Pacific Division
I love the history of sports team nicknames. Today I am sharing some of
Why is Ralph Hay Considered the Founder of the NFL?
In this episode, we fire up the DeLorean and head back to explore the
The Best Soccer Goalkeepers of the 2000s
The 2000s had a special charm to them. Soccer was becoming a worldwide phenomenon
How Sports Gambling Evolved from Ancient Dice Games to the Digital Age
Wagering on sports has not been happening only nowadays, but it is a thread
Kylian Mbappe’s Rise from Young Gun to Goal Machine
Former Manchester City and French midfielder Samir Nasri was recently very quick to put
120,000 Fans Witness High School Football Game in 1937!!!
Let’s set the stage… It was a warm November afternoon on the Chicago lakefront,
Legendary Athletes From the Aloha State: Highlighting Hawaii’s Sporting Greats
Hawaii, known for its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is also a breeding
1974 Miami Dolphins: Chasing Super Bowl Greatness
After appearing in three straight Super Bowls and winning two, the 1974 Miami Dolphins