Today in History

1962 Peter Snell breaks world mile record

Widely considered the greatest middle distance runner of all time, Snell broke Herb Elliott's world record on grass at Cook's Garden, Wanganui, in a time of 3 mins 53.4 secs.

Snell was little known outside of Auckland when he went to the Rome Olympics in 1960. He became an instant national celebrity when he won the 800 metres, just before training partner Murray Halberg also won Olympic gold. Both were coached by Arthur Lydiard. A week after his record-setting efforts in Wanganui, Snell set new world marks in Christchurch for both the 800 m and 880 yards. Later the same year, he won the mile and 880 yards at the Commonwealth Games. In 1964 he successfully defended his Olympic 800-m title and won the 1500 m as well. In November 1964 he set world records for both the 1000 m and the mile.

Snell retired in 1965. He moved to the United States in the 1970s where he gained a doctorate, becoming director of the Human Performance Centre at the University of Texas in 1990.

Peter Snell was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990 and in 2000 was voted New Zealand’s Sports Champion of the 20th Century.

Image: Peter Snell at the 1960 Olympics (olympic.org)