Craig Virgin - DISTANCE RUNNING LEGEND - Halls of Fame Highlight Videos

St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and USA National Track and Field Hall of Fame highlight videos of the career of running legend Craig Virgin. Craig is still to this date the only American Male runner to win the World Cross Country Championship, doing so in 1980 and 1981, Craig was also a 3 time Olympian in the 10000m in '76,'80 and '84. He established himself as one of the best distance runners in the world in the late 1970's and early 1980's, and was a triple threat from the track to road racing to cross country. Craig held numerous U.S. records on the roads and in track events. To have Craig speak and inspire you at your next event, contact [e-mail]

[@cesarcoelho7227]

WHAT A RUNNER!!! CONGRATS CRAIG!!! YOU ARE A LEGEND!!!

A great runner... a legend...!

[@angelmatos9143]

Amazing!

[@christophermcauliffe9141]

I think that any assessment of Virgin's contributions to American distance running should include the way he inspired so many thousands of runners. His achievements, work-ethic, and focus helped so many navigate the demands of distance training. After races, he made himself available to average runners and was always ready to give guidance to any of his fellow runners, no matter how modest their gifts might have been.

[@george5858]

Oh what a tragedy for the Bristol boy.

[@jeffreybayles1162]

I still hate Jimmy Carter to this day for imposing a ban on the Olympics!

[@randyevermore9323]

Especially when you consider that just 22 years later, the U.S. was doing precisely what it condemned the USSR for -- invading Afghanistan. The boycott was a stupid and empty gesture on Carter's part.

[@angelmatos9143]

For those who know, the world cross country championships is as hard as an Olympic gold medal.

[@randyevermore9323]

Probably harder, because it's where the middle-distance specialists meet the specialists in the longer races.

[@patricksevers8012]

No it isn't, not even close in pressure terms either.

[@runcaz7802]

This "First and last" thing is lost on me. The fact that nobody from the USA has won the world XC title since him has nothing to do with him. So where's the "conundrum"?

[@camdenquarton2187]

I thought 25th at state was good, 1st and a state course record at Detweiler?? Sad it got broke this year, 13:49..

[@jeffreybayles1162]

You know the fastest time at Detweiler was the very first year it was run there in 1970. The course was 2.75 miles,the next year the I HSA change the distance to the present 3 miles. David Merrick ran 12:37 which works out to a faster pace than both Virgin and present record holder Methner.