The Brit surprised the world in 1984 by breaking the marathon world record on the Chicago Marathon(*40*)
Forty years in the past on October 21, 1984, Steve Jones made historical past by profitable the Chicago Marathon in 2:08:05 – his first-ever accomplished marathon. In doing so, the Welshman broke the world record.
The race was initially anticipated to be a showdown between two marathon greats: Olympic champion Carlos Lopes and reigning world champion Rob de Castella. However, it was Jones, an RAF mechanic, who stole the highlight.
The 29-year-old on the time broke De Castella’s world record of two:08:18, set in Fukuoka, Japan, by 13 seconds.
What made Jones’ feat much more spectacular was his lack of knowledge that he was on record-breaking tempo. Unlike right now’s runners, who normally depend on watches, Jones ran with no watch. He solely realized he was on observe for a world record with two miles remaining within the race.
The two-time Olympian had tried his marathon debut a yr earlier on the 1983 Chicago Marathon however was compelled to withdraw at 17.5 miles as a result of an ankle damage.
His world record stood till April 1985, when Carlos Lopes set a brand new mark of two:07:12 on the Rotterdam Marathon.
Despite dropping the record, Jones remained a dominant pressure in marathon working. In the identical yr Lopes set a brand new record, Jones received the London Marathon in 2:08:16, regardless of making a cease for the bathroom mid-race.
Steve Jones (Getty)
Later in 1985, Jones returned to Chicago and ran 2:07:13 – only one second shy of Lopes’ world record.
Although he missed out on the world record, this time he set a British record, which stood for a formidable 33 years. It wasn’t till 2018 that Mo Farah lastly broke it, clocking 2:05:11, additionally in Chicago.
In 1988, he set a course record of two:08:20 to win the New York City Marathon. The yr prior, he completed second on the Boston Marathon.
In whole, Jones competed in 18 marathons, profitable 5 main titles: Chicago in 1984 and 1985, London in 1985, New York in 1988, and Toronto in 1992.
To have fun the 40-year anniversary, you will discover our unique protection from Steve Jones’ world record by way of the Athletics Weekly archive.
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