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Jim Ryun Autographed Dec. 19, 1966 “Special Holiday Issue” of “Sports Illustrated.”

Lot 250. Jim Ryun Autographed Dec. 19, 1966 “Special Holiday Issue” of “Sports Illustrated.” Mint 9 signature by the magazine’s “Sportsman of the Year”; he wrote “Go with God” above the signature. In 1964, Ryan was the first high school athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes. In the 1960s, he was generally considered to be the world’s best middle distance runner. In 1966, when he was only 19, Ryun set world records in the mile (3:51.3) and the half-mile (1:44.9). These records and other track successes earned him the “Sports Illustrated” honor. He was also selected for the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete and the “Track & Field News” Athlete of the Year Award as the world's best track & field athlete. ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” named him its “Athlete of the Year.” In 1967, he became the first person to receive the “Track & Field News” Award in two consecutive years. Ryun continued to set records through 1971. From 1965-71, he was ranked no lower than sixth by “Track & Field News” world rankings for mile or 1500-meter runners. He retired in 1974. In 1980, Ryun was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and in 2003, into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame. The issue of “Sports Illustrated” is ex with a mailing label and has a brief article on Ryun and a photo. Winning Bid $25.     Back to List        Winning Bid  $25 Back to List