From Walt Murphy. Shared with permission (with minor editing from Fan Hub admin). Walt produces an info-rich daily ”This Day in T&F” newsletter. Contact him at waltmurphy44@gmail.com if you’d like to join his distribution list.
So, before you scroll down, who would you pick out of this field?
- Eamonn Coghlan
- Mike Boit
- Steve Ovett
- Ross Donoghue
- John Walker
- Frank O’Mara
- Ray Flynn
- Abdi Bile
Chances are you guessed wrong. In the 1985 Fifth Avenue Mile Ireland’s Frank O’Mara, a late addition to the race, shocked the field and everyone else with his win in 3:52.81. Ross Donoghue also finished ahead of the superstars in 2nd place. Third and fourth places went to Ovett and Coghlan. Boit and Bile were 6th and 7th, Flynn in 8th and Walker in 10th. All were under 3:59 and most under 3:55.
I couldn’t find a video of that 5th Ave Mile but this is worth watching. check out Frank’s kick in this 1987 World Indoor Champs 3000m win:
Frank O’Mara is a native of Limerick, Ireland and ran for University of Arkansas. He went on to represent Ireland in three Olympic Games and was an Indoor World Champion in the 3000m in 1987 and 1991. In 2010 Frank was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
