Training For a Sub 4 Mile -- Jacob Burcham

Running Times correspondent Joel Wolpert follows West Virginia senior Jacob Burcham as he trains for his final season of high school track. In "Horses+Fire" we see that Burcham has set PRs in the mile every year, and he ended 2012 with a 4:02.73. Will Burcham join the short list of high school athletes who have broken 4? Inside his house, the signs are everywhere.

[@stephenleeethridge6372]

Go for it Jacob Burcham. I have a similar goal. In high school at Cazenovia Central when there was no 2 mile run, I ran a 4:58 mile junior year but passed on track in my senior year because my studies were not going well. Now I am 71 and think that I can break 6 minures in about 4 months and then go all out to try to break the National Masters News record for a 70 plus male. It is, if I remember correctly, about 5:23. If I can do that my "impossible dream" in this realm is to break my high school time. If this sounds crazy, consider that my father, E.H. Ethridge,Jr., was captain of the 1939 Yale track team and did 24'1" in the broad jump, was a very good hurdler and was NEVER behind at the start of the 100 as he did not compete in that because sometimes he would be caught at the tape. What has happened with me is that NOW I have the strong, happy, fast mind of my dad in SPADES. The best to you Jacob Burcham! I SHALL be paying ATTENTION! Steve THE MMM (MASTER of the Mature Milers over 70)

[@abycabayele3093]

great

[@carterluong1222]

Best of luck

[@videofudge]

Howd it go?

[@adempc]

Cool mini-documentary, but thumbs down for zero discussion on training for sub 4:00 mile.

[@TheLittleKuribo]

Yea that was the only reason I watched this... Damn clickbait titles

[@Veltree]

I'm running at the meet of champs NJ tomorrow, looking to break the school record of 4:24. I ran 4:27 last week so it's doable :)

[@T4Cification]

Who cares?

[@cameron_a9116]

+T4C dont be a srub, if you didn't care you wouldn't comment

[@cameron_a9116]

+Kevin "The Velvet Hammer" Veltre and nice job man, just looked you up on athletic.net, beat it by three seconds!

[@toxicblood5548]

How did it go 5 years ago

[@operasinger2126]

I'm a machine. I routinely do a 10 minute mile.

[@XxSiLvAxXx]

Opera Singer not even bad bro lol

[@FlashyBuddie]

Slow down driving man... Remember what happend to Pre.

[@jonrock5578]

Zylo Exactly. You remember him. How many people remember the cautious guy who never pushed the envelope?

[@KindaMaoriCuz]

Jon Rock the cautious guy that never pushed the envelope won't need "remembering". Because chances are he's still alive

[@WorkSmartNotHard]

Joss Barber wow!

[@admiralaokiji7889]

he got 3:57 and broke 4 exactly 3 years after this video was made. 2/13/16

[@werule2228]

+Monkey D bro what is the diet plan they go for ..if u have the details pls help me

[@admiralaokiji7889]

Karan Singh honestly diet does not even matter until u get to like sub 4:10 and even then it is not that important. Just don't eat too much fatty food and you are good. For example Usain Bolt broke the 100m record in 2008 on a McDonald's diet for 2 weeks

[@werule2228]

from where can i get gw501516 and sr9099 .i stay in india

[@admiralaokiji7889]

Karan Singh steroids is not the correct way to get faster. Hard work and determination will get you there

[@werule2228]

Monkey D i really appreciate your help. But the things i asked for are not steroids ...Also,i am applying for some competition where i can use these drugs as there is no doping test .So, if you can tell me where i can find these ,it will be a great help .Hope to get some help in your next reply..eagerly waiting for ur reply..thank you

[@farfetch7]

Thank god you show your self driving reckless on a public road.

[@Me-vd1ki]

+farfetch7 That's how you drive in W.V.

[@justtyler1550]

This guy has been such a inspiration I've brought my mile from 7:39 to 4:50 in 6 months due to this inspiring guy😂👌🏻

[@look3248]

...And driving like that is what got Steve Prefontaine killed -_-

[@rhysnichols8608]

Except I'd rather Steve survived than this guy, spoiled by talent this guy only runs for money and to get places.

[@BiggiemanMD]

at least he's honest about it. I knew a ton of high school runners coaxed by their talent but lacking the passion. the same goes for many professionals (doctors, engineers, etc)

[@rhysnichols8608]

Rody Korthout He has no real passion and uses his talents to get places and yet great runners like pre died before their time. I don't hate Jacob birchum but running shouldn't just be about selfish needs I suppose

[@IIIWheels]

Last month he ran 4:00.43 indoors, still hasn't broken 4:00 though....

[@werule2228]

+IIIWheels what is the diet plan they go for ..if u have the details pls help me

[@IIIWheels]

Its less about diet and more about the training. Diet, strength work, drills, weights etc are all supplementary. BTW he broke 4 just recently in the NCAA

[@werule2228]

IIIWheels also tell me what is ur opinion on gw501516 sr9099 .do they help in 1 mile run ?

[@IIIWheels]

+Karan Singh Yes it is very helpful

[@werule2228]

IIIWheels also tell me from where can i get it ,i stay in india (hyderabad 500056). I will really appreciate ur help

[@ShanesSquirrelShack]

Ran a 4:43 last year, got my knee messed up over the winter and lost a winter's worth of training and got a 4:45 this year. Be lucky with what you've got dude!

[@il24iro]

He looks like he was held back like 2 grades...

[@johnappleseed8146]

Def was. How tf u got a full goatee in high school

[@Eric-lx8hp]

He has a receding hairline in high school?

[@EscutiaD]

I wish I had started running as a freshman in high school. I'm a junior and I just finished my season with a 5:32 PR (Slow I know). This man has talent, big future and much props because breaking 5 is difficult for majority including me. Hope you the best for your future man!

[@cameron_a9116]

He actually hasn't broken four yet, his PR is 4:01 from an indoor race last year. He took 16th at NCAAXC Nationals on Saturday, so that's pretty good, and he's only Junior so he'll probably break four by the end of his collegiate career.

[@theclothesontheline]

I really cant believe RT put this out. Their whole marketing strategy is directed towards people who love running, for what it is. And just about nobody wants to see someone so talented with so much lack of appreciation and respect for his sport. DUDE, there are people who DREAM about being as fast as you are. Love your gift, love your sport. If not, don't ever call yourself a runner, cause if you don't enjoy it then you're nothing more than a person that can run fast. Runners run because they want to. We run because we know every second we get to move is a blessing.

[@tkdcow9911]

I see running as a lifestyle. And it is a shame that he isn't as passionate about running, because maybe if he was, he could be faster. But he is an example that "fast", doesn't care about passion or who you are.

[@tkdcow9911]

And he is only doing it for college. What a bad reason to do something. He probably doesn't even have a future career in mind. Just like most teenagers and women now a days. They just major on what ever and complain to their parents when they can't pay off the debt. It's pathetic.

[@benjamincartwright3239]

Michael Griffith We are because We run

[@robertspies4695]

Nice little personality piece, but I thought it was going to be about his actual training and meets.

[@blackness1is128]

Excellent video my man. Im a three time High School state champion out of Oregon 800 -1500 You remind me a lot of me. Keep up the hard work, all your dreams will come true.

[@TheRequestNetwork1]

I do agree that it's stupid that someone has a gift like that without the passion for running, but all it sounds like is jealousy. It's not genetic or a magical gift to run a 4 minute mile, it's hard work. It just sounds like everyone else in the comments is saying that they're SUPER passionate and deserve to be that good when really they don't have the willpower and discipline to go out and train like him.

[@christopherw3207]

It definitely takes a lot of both: genetic ability AND loads of hard work. If either is missing, you will fail.

[@jubjubevan123]

I remember lining up next to Jacob at NXN my sophomore year. It was scary.

[@johnhippisley9106]

thewoods___ Congratulations on making NXN!

[@RandomPerson-eh6rp]

This was really cool finding someone else from West Virginia with the same goal as me. I’m in 8th grade and my mile is 5:05 but track season has just started. I hope to beat he school record of 4:56 by the end of the season

[@Lehmann108]

Hill climbs and intervals will get you to 3:58.

[@alchemist_one]

Lol. Do you seriously think he went through three years on a high school track team and got to this level without any intervals?

[@SirLlama2000]

if anyone is wondering, he did achieve sub 4 miles, i dont know if he ever did in highschool, but he did achieve 3:57.46 on an outdoor track in 2016. Aswell as hitting a 14:28.29 for a 5,000km. This man is a beast

[@SirLlama2000]

www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=209332064

[@JackGrayMythical]

Good luck Jacob! I hope you reach all of your goals. Runners of your caliber are a lot of fun to watch.

[@estebansilva1071]

He seems chill and real asf, especially at the end when he talks about what he wants to buy

[@JamesJoyce12]

I only played BBall in HS and ran 4 x sub 6:00 back-2-back with the x-country team as a goof - they were amazed and i was sore

[@AccordingToChase]

Love this video :) It restarted the fire in me for this track season, and just in time too.

[@alastairsaint9631]

Maybe his material pursuits explain why he`s not breaking the 4 minutes.Slow down driving or you will end up in prison and then you`ll just be running from the guys in the showers!

[@Beastunleashed41]

I've got a lot of respect for this guy.

[@dareal_kennysan333]

I did 7:20 during tryouts in 10th grade and now going to be 12th grade running 4:40 and trying to run 4:10s or 4:20s by May of 2017 lol I'm training hard this summer

[@OmarMartinez-qk8vt]

Me too, keep working hard!

[@hoop1127]

Jacob you're a fine runner and had a good coach in high school,,,you just need to find some passion(love) for running and the rest will come...fan the Gift...

[@RoqueSupertramp]

2 things that are holding him back is his "passion" the coach and mentioned and his running form. Speed and endurance come from training hard but also from the way you run. Improving his form and increase his efficiency.

[@TootDip]

yaaa this guy does not deserve this gift.

[@frankiesavannah3042]

Damien Dilcher: 4:16 he ran 2 days ago He never trains eats shit lives in new jersey but has the best endurance. Nobody ever beats his kick at the end of the race

[@rhysnichols8608]

It's not possible to run a 4:16 mile without training.

[@alexc2620]

This guy is a beast

[@bennetthunter5277]

At my hs in VA, we have a freshman who ran 4:50, and he's one of the fastest freshmen in the state

[@zevfeidelberg4900]

What state when I was 12 I ran a 4:54 now I run a 4:47 Their is no way that is top in the state

[@vailess_2]

I'm a freshmen, my fastest mile is 4:50 but I'm ranked 12th for 9th grade in Virginia :/

[@vailess_2]

+Zev Feidelberg aggred

[@vaponte8541]

He's better than Pre. He has a lot to look forward to. I hope it all works out for him.

[@ericschmidt007]

This kid will never succeed in anything until he pursues goals for their own sake. The attitude he gives off is one of, "well, I'll do this because it pays off. It'll get me cars, and money, and college...even though it ain't football." Aside the point that being a runner isn't the best way to benefit financially, this kid has to turn his attitude and mentality completely around before he accomplishes anything of note. In my humble opinion.

[@dafv2011]

He isn't planning to get rich off of running. He is planning to use his running to get a scholarship to college where he can get a degree that will allow him to earn a good living. I googled him and it looks like he is majoring in mechanical engineering at Oklahoma University so it looks like he is accomplishing what he set out to do.

[@Mrcharles123451]

Fastest I ever ran was 5:14 in eighth grade. I want to beat my personal record having not run basically my whole high school "career" (3 & 1/2 to 4ish years.) I want to make it to the Olympics and break the world record, I would be very proud just to get to the Olympics. There's obviously a lot of hard work to do. Wish me luck.

[@raysullins5179]

I don't believe he ever broke 4:00. You guys should do some homework, he is a 3x WV State Cross Country Champion who runs for Oklahoma.

[@x6_xp614]

I know this guy he was at my XC state championship this year!

[@georgefinch5512]

I ran 4:39 in 8th grade and I'm trying to start back now as a junior.my goal is 4:20 this year I can't fuckin wait

[@2sunalibar]

Good Job, you got me inspired.

[@ronnyverse]

I ran a mile in 4:20 as a twelve year old with no direct training. I played basketball, hockey and road hockey daily as a kid and built up endurance. I hated my principal at the time who was the track coach and didn't pursue it. I had no idea how good that was until a senior in high school ran 4:15 and had a ton of attn from local media. I wonder if I could have got down as low as sub 4?? I would be lucky to break a 7 minute mile now that I am pushing 40 haha

[@vailess_2]

Bs lol

[@ronnyverse]

Let me guess your one of those guys who trains all his life and can't break 5minutes? you see some people just have it my friend. maybe your not one of them?

[@vailess_2]

+ronny elllis lol I'm in 9th grade my best is 4:50

[@vailess_2]

+ronny elllis I admit I'm not that fast but I love running in general

[@vailess_2]

+ronny elllis I'm just sayin a 6th grader running a 4:20 is just a bit ridiculous

[@NoNateNovember]

I am a fetus and run a mile in 4 microseconds

[@KleanUpKrewGaming]

At our State Meet he lost the 800m run to C. Riffle (Point) and his teammate, but he ran something like a 1:56 or relatively close to that. That surprised me so much that I literally asked my coach if he even showed up.

[@Shadexa]

He ran the fifth fastest time in the world last year 3:52 he is so good!

[@hocuslocust7459]

You should do a follow-up with him to see how things went in college.

[@BudderB0y2222]

He wound up getting 3:57.46 in 2016 as a junior in college

[@kevinbuscay426]

man i was a division one athlete in college for track and field! you can do this!!

[@LucieBeatrix]

Serious goals!!!!

[@Blinkitybleepity]

I run a 60 min lap as a senior best in the state

[@komlan_]

Im a freshmen running a 5:01 mile im trying to break 5, but this guy is amazing

[@elliotnabatov3345]

hell yea man i had the same goal freshman year and i beat it by a second at my very last meet of the freshman track season

[@cameron_a9116]

+Jonathan Attiogbe dude, with that time, you can break 4:20 by your senior year for sure

[@RoqueSupertramp]

I'm not saying he was doing anything wrong. In the vid, the coach mentioned his lack of passion. He's a great runner, obviously. I was just saying that at having a good running form is just as important as his speed and endurance.

[@linglingjr]

awesome video, I'll be looking out to see if he becomes the 7th highschooler to go sub 4

[@sparbaroku]

Considering his lack of passion for running it should come as no surprise to people that he still hasn't run a sub 4 and he doesnt even place top 10 in his college meets. Sad really... Doubt he will get rich off running, but he will get a degree!!!! So in the end his running will have paid off

[@Questgin]

how fast have run a mile?

[@sparbaroku]

Johnny Rivera My goal was 5:30, but eventually ran 4:57. Kid is faster than me, the difference being I beat my goal (which I didnt think was possible for me when I first started running). Sadly this kid never did. Its clear from this video he didnt really have a passion for running which clearly was a factor in not meeting his goal. However as stated above he got a degree paid in full, so his skills did pay off, just not in the way he wanted it to.

[@tg8413]

He broke 4 today.. I guess he isn't as lazy and unmotivated as ya thought

[@sparbaroku]

tg8413 Thats awesome!!!! For the record, I never claimed he was lazy. Anyone who can run a mile under 5 mintues definitely puts in work (I know this from personal experience) but clearly there was a motivation issue. Looks like he found that fire!!!! Hope he continues to excel and goes on to achieve more!!

[@netfischer]

Idk man. Ive run a sub 5 with hardly any running training besides 20min treadmillwarmups before gym sessions. I will admit though that I have a background as an elite cyclist... but I am sot of retired, my aerobic fitness is down and I weigh almost 78@6' (in race shape was more like 71-73)... running sub 5 on the track was hard but still submaximal. Maybe should train for running for shits and giggles....

[@davidnogle2661]

he never actually did go sub 4 until junior college. once you get fast PRS are much less common, staring at different times depending on ur genetics

[@naglelator]

whats the song at the end?

[@jeansilvas]

This guy has potential.Hope he gets to beat the best.

[@thomasnorris8004]

World class distance runners are generally top out at 5'9. More height means more drag.

[@doajake1]

I don't see anything wrong with him running to get into college and pay the bills. It's not rlly his fault that he gets all this praise and fame. His dad is the one that is obsessed. To me he's just a kid that's being pushed to do something that he doesn't necessarily wanna do

[@SseriousGgamer3]

He finally broke 4 in 2019 at the derulo sandstorm stadium in Brazil.

[@BStill184]

He is the next Jacob Burcham (wanted to say the next Pre but honestly, I think he will be better...he is a rebel, you can tell...college will complete that growing process...Pre never loved running either, he was an artist)

[@uncivilreaper247]

This is so amazing my goal is by senior year to run the mile under 5 min im going to be a junior this august

[@cameron_a9116]

+Daiyan chowdhury good luck, remember to push it that third lap

[@goobiehoobie]

5:56 just don't pull a pre...

[@rudyrada3628]

Great video see you guyz in Rio

[@MichaelRWright]

Awesome! Good luck on you!

[@25davidhenry]

Not a good idea of speeding around in a car. He is blessed with talent (and hard work). Don't ruin everything in a reckless car accident.

[@cameron_a9116]

+David Henry really tho obviously he doesn't know exactly how Prefontaine died

[@johnSmith-no2wi]

+cameron_a911 I agree. I have always heard he was swerving to avoid an on coming car. I'm sure Pre may have had a beer or two but if he was that hammered the others at the party wouldn't have let him get in the car.

[@mluevanos]

Awesome video, wish I could be as fast as him.

[@robmcay6747]

awesome dude , cool WRX

[@qwert371]

galen rupp, 2nd place 10k at london alberto salazar prefontaine this kid is doing 402 for the mile as a senior... he's fast

[@AgencyEric]

I think you are confused. This video isn't about sub 4 800m. It's about a sub 4 mile.

[@stefanhonaker9729]

I know that coach and those runners they were at my state xc meet!

[@Moiez101]

really? that's pretty impressive. how hard did you train for it? cuz it's still considered quite a feat; a real test of stamina, power and mental toughness. you must be a true badass.

[@WetardedBananana]

whenever i run the mile i come in at the third lap around like 4:20 and im like how could people already have finished :O

[@stevehanwell7998]

Didn't work for me :( . I've watched this video over 12 times now and only got my 1 mile time down to 4:02. :))

[@matthewpickering8218]

I ran 4:48 in 8th grade, is that good compared to this guy?

[@Pudnite]

Thats very plausible?

[@quesromero1756]

he now runs a 3:49 in college.

[@donovanbobbob]

Ques Romero No he doesn't. That was a 1500m run. He still hasn't broken 4 on the mile.

[@WorkSmartNotHard]

5:53 this is idiotic, he’ll end up just like pre if he keeps this up, I don’t want to see the death of another legend in his prime

[@tristenharding7655]

I'm in 8th grade and run about a 5:30 min mile but, I do run a 12:13 two mile though.

[@johnnathan5894]

everybody here cares about that.

[@markeichenlaub1450]

That's moving. Some very specific training is needed for that.

[@JTMondal]

Inspirational guy

[@billm4330]

I wonder if Jim Ryun strapped a parachute to his back?

[@johnappleseed8146]

I see no problem with this, if he truly doesn't have passion for it, let him be. Don't be all like "YOU UNGREATFUL FUCK" Just bc he's better at what your passionate about, just work hard to improve.

[@unleashingchaos7791]

im a sophomore and i run a 4:26 i want to break 4 next year on my junior year

[@cameron_a9116]

+unleashing chaos whats your name so I can look you up

[@linglingjr]

oops my bad, I thought verzbicas was the 6th for some reason.

[@SnowMan2595]

I don't think he ever beat 4:02, or did he?

[@cameron_a9116]

+SnowMan2595 4:01 Indoor 2015

[@OneWaySkillz]

Im 5th grade with 3:19 is that good?

[@harmankhinda5743]

+OneWaySkillz future olympian

[@frankiesavannah3042]

+Harman Khinda doubt it 😂😂😂 he probably means 7:19

[@johnbarger2812]

Not for the mile that's faster then the world record for a fifth grade is around 12 minutes maybe you run 1 lap in 3:19

[@VebbGames]

+John Barger back when I was in 5th we had the school run the mile and some Nigerian kid ran it in 6:12

[@henrywood4362]

it was obviously a joke

[@generictoiletpaper9345]

There is some kid in my section who is an 8th grader who got 4:58...

[@lukasambrose6865]

Bruh, 12th grade he improved by .12 of a second lol, breaking 4 dreams down the drain.

[@GoosyGoose987]

Saw him run a 9:01 two mile in person.

[@kevinbuscay426]

you have this!

[@Nuppettepiano]

Does anyone know where to buy a "parachute" like the one in the video?

[@JonathanLong]

Nuppette I got mine on amazon

[@Nuppettepiano]

What's it called? Or even better, do you have the link?

[@JonathanLong]

Nuppette I dont have a link but the company is called rad sportz... I have the upc code and description... it says "4020 Large 56 Chute" the upc is 6 13103 04136 0

[@Nuppettepiano]

Thanks! I found it.

[@JonathanLong]

Nuppette no problem at all

[@solidify8888]

What's the song name at the end?! Please anyone!!! And best of luck Jacob!

[@alastairsaint9631]

Kunal Grandon It`s listed on the closing credits.Band called Custique "we were born".

[@crosbymalkin2]

I live in WV and some of my friends on my cross country team have run against him in multiple races. They said they have never seen anything like it.

[@connerd5647]

whos the blonde kid always running with him? He seems pretty fast

[@jginvincibIe]

Did he Do it?

[@jacobaphipps]

www.athletic.net/TrackAndField/Athlete.aspx?AID=1597946

[@BushMania4]

It's sad to see that he doesn't have much passion. I'm sure if he had more passion he could break high school records. Maybe run close to 3:55. Plus colleges will notice he doesn't have much passion, which will make it harder to get scholarships.

[@AgencyEric]

Nor will he ever? How on earth could you possibly have any idea where this guy career will take him. Maybe he will flame out and never break 4.Or maybe he will go on to run 3:30/12:50. Who can say?

[@desertfoxfilms]

To say pre didn't like running is absurd. He did. He even said it in an interview. He viewed it as mudane at a young age. Which means he thought it was kinda boring and plain. But he was so competitive and when he would always lose at other sports it would Piss him off and then he found out he was good at running which made him love the sport.

[@ParamountSkater562]

anyone know the name of the last song?