Bob Kennedy (runner)
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Indiana University graduate Bob Kennedy (born 18 August 1970) is one of the better known cross country and track & field runners in the United States. He specialized in longer distances, and owns the American 5000 m meter record. At 12:58.21, he was the first non-African to break 13:00 in that distance. He also set American records in the 3000 m race (7:30.84) and the 2-mile (8:11.59); the latter has since been broken by Alan Webb.
Kennedy and coach Kim McDonald always believed that American distance runners could run with the greatest of the world's distance runners, but they had to be prepared to punish their bodies with the hard work it takes to compete at the very highest levels. He trained for part of his career in Kenya, participating in the notoriously grueling workouts the Kenyans use to get themselves into racing shape.
The highlight of Kennedy's career came in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In the 5000 meter finals, in move reminiscent of Steve Prefontaine, Kennedy surged to the front and forced the pace late in the race. Lacking raw speed, however, he was passed in the waning laps and placed 6th. He had also made it to the finals of the 1992 Olympic 5000m race and placed 12th. He also ran the 5000m in the World Championships in Athletics for the US in '91 (12th), '93, '95 (12th), '97 (6th), and 99 (9th).
He suffered a back injury in an auto accident before the 2000 Olympic Trials and missed seven weeks of training. In 2001, he was hamstrung by thyroid problems. He returned to win the USA Track & Field (USATF) Championships 5000 meter race against Colorado grad Adam Goucher, who by then was largely seen to be Kennedy's successor. He was able to beat the younger and faster Goucher by alternating the pace between each lap, surging then slowing, forcing Goucher to come to him after each surge and blunting Goucher's finishing kick.
Kennedy competed in the 2004 US Olympic Trials in the 10,000 meter race, but was slowed by an injury to his Achilles tendon, and had to drop out of the race. He has now retired from competitive distance running. Nike has created two racing spikes in honor of him, (Nike Kennedy XC and Nike Zoom Kennedy). Both are fairly popular racing spikes among runners, but have been discontinued.
Personal Best Times
- 1500 meters 3:38.2
- Mile 3:56.21
- 2000 meters 4:59.9
- 3000 meters 7:30.84 (American Record)
- 2 miles 8:11.59
- 5000 meters 12:58.21 (American Record)
- 10,000 meters 27:37.45
External links
- [USATF Profile]
- *IAAF profile for [Bob Kennedy]
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