Wall of Fame at PR University City

Ted Corbitt

If youve ever secured an age group win at your local race or even didnt have to worry if that race was accurately measured - you should thank Ted Corbitt (he invented both systems). However, if youve ever needed inspiration to run at all - well, you might want to thank him a second time.

Born in South Carolina as the Grandson of enslaved people in 1919, Ted quickly demonstrated not just a passion for running, but also generational talent. He pursued competitive running at the University of Cincinnati - overcoming institutional racism in his path. In 1951, his marathon and ultra-marathon career kicked off with him running the Boston Marathon. Just one year later, he represented the United States at the Olympics in Helsinki - running in the marathon and becoming the first Black man to do so for the U.S.

Ted would then begin to build his incredible career of consistency and high performance while also working as a Physical Therapist for disabled people. Between 1954 and 1974, hed run the Boston Marathon under three hours - 19 times. Even more astonishing - his time in 1951 and 1974 were less than 20 seconds apart.

Tucked in that incredible stretch - Ted would set his lifetime personal best in the marathon on our local roads in Philadelphia where he ran the Shanahan Marathon in a time of 2:26 in 1958.

As he grew older, Ted would venture into ultra-running, becoming a pioneer in those distances as well. He also became the first president of the iconic New York Road Runners. Consistent course measurement protocol, along with the age group system of competition - those feature on the long list of his contributions to our sport.

Ted died in 2007 at the age of 88, but his incredible legacy remains for generations to come.

Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes

Breaking the four minute mile barrier is an iconic benchmark in running. Few reach it, though thousands try. In 1974, Denis Fikes became the first Penn athlete to run under four minutes (3:55) and in doing so ranked in the top 15 performances in the world.

Denis burst onto the Philadelphia running scene as a freshman Quaker in 1970, in that year alone - he set school records in the mile and steeplechase distances. By the end of his collegiate career, Denis would become a two time All-American, six time All-Eastern, have won seven Heptagonal titles along with over 25 school records. In 1976, Denis would represent the U.S. on two occasions, competing in the USA vs. USSR indoor dual meet and the CISM games (International Military Championships).

His love of collegiate athletics would continue beyond his days of racing, venturing into positions of coaching and administration. In 1986, he became the Associate Athletic Director at Penn and then moved into becoming the compliance coordinator for the department.

Bill Carr

A soaring sprinter for Penn.

At a time when most collegians are starting to prepare for a life beyond college, Bill Carr was setting world records.

In just his junior year at Penn in 1932, Carr represented the U.S. in the Olympics in Los Angeles. In those Games, he would set two world records - one of which was in the 400 meters with a time of 46.2 seconds and earning a Gold Medal

He wasnt done yet. Carr anchored the 1,600 meter relay which established another world record time and earned a second Gold Medal. In the same year, Carr would also be a part of Penns Indoor 1,600 meter relay which also broke the existing world record.

Sydney McLaughlin

Sydney McLaughlin was almost really good.

At the 2019 World Championships, Sydney ran her signature event - the 400m hurdles. She finished with a personal best, a silver medal and 0.4 seconds from the world record. For many - careers finish with much less. Sydney was really good, young and talented.

Then, she decided really good wasnt enough and changed everything.

On the heels of that success, and in the midst of the COVID pandemic, Sydney decided to switch coaches. Not only that, but then also changed her technique - changes that for an elite athlete in such a technically demanding race could easily derail a young and successful career. A move with risk, but that risk took Sydney from really good, to legendary.

In 2021, she would break the 400m hurdles World Record for the first time, running 51.90 and becoming the first woman to run under 52 seconds in the event. She was just getting started.

As of writing this, she has:
Broken the World Record 4 times in the 400m hurdles. Her record of 50.37 at the 2024 Paris Olympics would have placed her 7th in the open 400m final (thats without jumping over hurdles, just to be clear)
Two time Olympic Gold Medalist in the 400m hurdles
Member of the World Record 4x400m Relay
Oh and she has run at the Penn Relays

Her performances and results are so extraordinary that at the time you read this - the information could very well be out-dated from new records. Sydneys dominance is difficult to describe because it is so profound.

And to think that she was almost, just really good.

Then she bet on herself, changed everything and became one of the most dominant athletes in the history of the sport.

Gary Martin

Local Hero.

The greater Philadelphia region has produced many talented runners, but for middle distance Gary Martin is quickly becoming the best.

Hailing from just outside Philadelphia, Horsham - Martin attended Archbishop Wood High School. As a senior, he would run the mile in 3:57.98, becoming only the second ever high school athlete to run under the 4 minute barrier without a rabbit (pacing assistance). That same year, he set the Penn Relays High School Mile record in a time of 4:01.04.

After his high school success, he headed south to the University of Virginia where he has continued to blaze a trail. In 2024, he won the ACC Cross Country Championship, then went on to place 13th in the National Championship.

In 2025 at the iconic Millrose Games in New York, he ran 3:48 for the indoor mile, the second best ever for a collegiate athlete (and a nearly 6 second improvement over the indoor distance).

The Miracle Mile: Marty Liquori & Jim Ryun

The scrappy east-coast kid vs the world record holder.

In 1971, Penns Franklin Field hosted the International Freedom Games to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The race was set to play host to some of the fastest track athletes of the era, but in particular it became a showdown of two milers - Jim Ryun and Marty Liquori.

Ryun had run the World Record but recently retired. Liquori running for Villanova was the brash, youthful future. Theyd face off before 20,000 in a highly publicized race over the mile.

In cool conditions for mid-May, the race began. After a slow first two laps, Ryun surged to the front. Liquori would follow, then taking the lead from Ryun with a lap and a half remaining in the race. He never gave it back.

Fighting off a charging Ryun, the younger Liquori closed the final two laps in 1:51, winning the race before disappearing into the surging crowd which made it nearly impossible for the rest of the race to even finish. The era of the race also carried broader a social character;

The New York Times, would publish: In many respects, the two Americans have come to symbolize sectional ideologies as much as separate personalities Ryun was born in middle America He is a shy, sensitive athlete who prefers personal privacy to public displays Liquori is candid, colorful and combative, on-and-off the track - Neil Amdur

The race would cement Liqouris status as a legend at Villanova and Franklin Field, becoming an iconic moment in the history of track and field.

Joan Benoit - Samuelson

"As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are. - Joan Benoit Samuelson

Record breaker. Trail Blazer. Olympic Champion. World Record Holder.

Joans accomplishments in running are the thing of legend and seem to defy everything we think we know about age and ability. Born in Maine, she only started running as a means to recover from a skiing accident. Were all very grateful that she did.

She began her running career at Bowdoin College in Maine. After two years, she transferred to NC State where she would be an All-American in 1977 and 78. She would return to Bowdoin to finish her degree and New England was where her marathon career would take flight.

As a relative unknown in the marathon - she entered the Boston Marathon in 1979. Running in a Boston Red Sox hat, she charged down Boylston Street, the winner in 2:35, an 8 minute course record. In 1983, she set a World Record at the Boston Marathon in 2:22:43, taking two minutes off the existing record. That time wouldnt be beaten in Boston for 11 years.

That fall, Joan took to the streets of Philadelphia setting a World Record in the Philadelphia Distance Run at the half-marathon distance (she would repeat the win and a new World Record the following year).

In the spring of 1984, Joan injured her knee while preparing for the Olympic Trials for the Games in Los Angeles which would host the first womens marathon. Less than 20 days after surgery, she won the trials in a time of 2:31. Later that year, she would win Olympic Gold in the marathon in a time of 2:24.

She would go on to set the American Record at the Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:21. A mark that would stand for 18 years.

Joans persistence and toughness didnt stop there. Though she battled injuries and setbacks, later in her career her longevity became extraordinary.

In 2008, at age 50, she competed in the Olympic Trials and finished in a time of 2:49. A year later, shed run 2:49 again at the New York Marathon - setting a Senior Masters record. In 2010, 25 years after setting her American Record, she ran the Chicago Marathon in 2:47, only narrowly missing qualifying for her eighth Olympic Marathon Trials.

She remains a trail-blazer and running icon, still residing in her home state of Maine and threatening age group records.

Yared Nuguse

The Goose.

He was almost a bowler, seriously. In High School, instead of winning a Bronze Medal in the Olympics at the 1500 and setting a World Record in the indoor mile - he was more interested in science workshops and, yes, bowling.

Fortunately, we have a high school P.E. teacher to thank - he saw Yareds running prowess and with the track coach, convinced him to leave the bowling team for the track team. Yared is the child of an Ethiopian immigrant who fled war to settle in Virginia, meet his wife and raise Yared as one of their six children.

Yareds running prowess would take him to Notre Dame for college where he broke the collegiate records in the 1500m and 3000m (which had stood for 18 years). While at Notre Dame, Yared still pursued a path in dentistry, but again fortunately for us running fans - Yared would qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

The year 2023 would be when The Goose (his nickname) broke loose. In the span of that year he:
Broke the North American indoor record in the 3000m with a time of 7:28.24 Nuguse's time was also faster than the 7:28.48 outdoor record and placed him 9th all time for the distance.
Ran the second-fastest indoor mile in history with a time of 3:47.38 while at the Millrose Games.
Won his first Diamond League race, winning the 1500m in a time of 3:30.44 becoming the first American man to win a Diamond League 1500m race since 2011.
Broke the American mile record in a time of 3:43.97

In 2024, Yared would focus on the Paris Olympics, after a successful indoor racing season, he decided to open his outdoor campaign at the Penn Relays. He didnt disappoint. Yared won in a time of 3:51.06, breaking the 50 year old Penn Relays mile facility record and fastest mile ever run in Pennsylvania. Yared would go on to win the bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics later that year.

In 2025, Yared set a World Record in the indoor mile at the Wanamaker Indoor Mile in New York for his third title in the event. Were just glad he stopped bowling.

Deena Kastor

American Royalty.

At one point in her career, Deena held 15 American Records - simultaneously - from 5k to the marathon. I dont know about you, but I can barely hold two cups of coffee.

Deena was adopted at a young age and would run high school track and cross country in California where she won three California State Cross Country Titles. She would then run collegiately at the University of Arkansas where she became a four-time SEC champion and an eight-time All-American.

In her professional career, Deenas range and longevity were incredible. After setting the American record in 2003 in the marathon - she would hold that record for 19 years. Deena also broke through winning a bronze medal in the marathon in the Athens Olympics in 2004. In 2006 she would be ranked as the number one marathoner in the world. Oh, and she also racked up 24 National Championships including being an 8 time National Champion in Cross Country.

Deena would leave her mark on Philadelphia when in September of 2014, she set the Womens Masters World Record at the Rock n Roll Half-Marathon (formerly and now again, Philadelphia Distance Run) in a time of 1:09:39.

Deena set the standard for the current generation of female American distance running by breaking through on the world stage with her dominance on the roads.

Ajee Wilson

One fast owl.

Aje hails from Neptune, New Jersey where she attended High School where she ran the 4th fastest High School 800m in history. She would attend Temple University, graduating in 2016, while training with Track Coach Derek Thompson and beginning her professional running career as an 800m specialist.

In 2016 and 2018, she won silver medals in the World Indoor Championships, while also winning bronze medals in the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships.

In 2022, Aje won the World Indoor Championships at 800m. She holds the North American Indoor Record and is the second fastest American all-time in time of 1:55.61.

Aje would become a two-time Olympian and in 2023 won the 600m at the Penn Relays in a time of 1:24:45. She has totaled 6 U.S. Indoor National Championships and 12 overall national titles.

Meb Keflezghi

A profile in courage.

Mebrahtom Meb Keflezghi emigrated to America with his family, fleeing conflict in Eritrea in 1987 as one of 10 children in his family. Mebs family found their new home in California, where Meb would run in High School winning the 1,600m and 3,200m CIF California State Championships in 1994.

He went on to run collegiately at UCLA where he won four NCAA Championships during the 1996-1997 season when he won, well, everything. He started by winning the Cross Country title, then the 5,000m indoors, then both the 5000m and 10,000m outdoors. Meb would become a naturalized citizen in 1998, the same year he graduated from UCLA.

Meb would first represent the US at the Olympics in the 10,000m at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney where he would finish 12th, however - his breakout Olympic performance would come four years later.

In 2004, at the Athens Olympics - Meb won a silver medal in the Marathon, becoming the first American man to medal in the marathon since 1976. He would go on to become the standard bearer for the U.S. at the marathon distance.

Meb finished second and third at the 2004 and 2005 New York City Marathons as well as a third place at the 2006 Boston Marathon. He finally broke the tape first at the New York Marathon in 2009.

Perhaps his most iconic achievement came in 2014. A year after the tragic Boston Marathon Bombing in 2013, Meb returned to the start line of Boston in 2014 winning the race and setting his personal best time of 2:08:37 and becoming the first American to win the race since 1983. By winning the Boston Marathon, Meb became the only Marathoner in history to win the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon and an Olympic Medal.

Meb is now the author of two best-selling books and a highly regarded keynote speaker. He is also adored by Liz Pagonis.

Alysia Montano

Alysia Montano (Johnson) and family moved to California early in her life when she was just three years old. She would run cross country and track in high school culminating with a win in the CIF California State Meet in 2004.

In college, Alysia ran for UC-Berkeley where she finished 3rd at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2006 and won the 800m NCAA Outdoor title the following year in 2007. She would then win her first national title at the 2007 USA Outdoor Championships. Alysia won her first international medal at the 2019 World Championships - a bronze.

Though she would ultimately win six US National Titles in the 800m, over the years to come, Alysia would be robbed of several podiums because of extensive later proven doping of Russian athletes in mid-distance racing.

In 2011, Alysia won the 800m title at the USA National Championships. She then placed third at the World Championships only to later be awarded the silver medal because of Russian doping in an athlete ahead of her.

In 2012, Alysia competed at the Olympics, narrowly being outkicked to finish in 5th place. However, again - only retroactively was it proven that two Russian athletes ahead of her were doping, thus elevating her to a bronze medal. She intends to receive her medal at the 2028 Olympic Games. In 2013, she won the 4x800m at the Penn Relays in 2013 as part of an American Record setting team.

Unfortunately, history would repeat itself at the 2013 World Championships when Alysia finished in 4th place, being outkicked by another Russian athlete who tested positive for doping. Only later would Alysia be awarded her bronze medal.

In 2014, she competed in the US National Championships while eight months pregnant in a major moment for discussing motherhood and female competitive sport. She would go on to become an outspoken advocate for support of mothers who balance competitive goals with the challenges of raising a family while also challenging sponsors and brands to support mothers still racing.

Bill Rogers

Boston Billy

Born and raised in Boston, Bill Rogers won 22 marathons in his competitive career, but it was a Philly connection that ignited the strongest stretch of his career.

After running competitively in college, Rogers stepped away from the sport after uneven results. Ultimately, he would drop out of the Boston Marathon in 1973 at mile 20. Rogers then took time away from the sport. Three months later, he would win the Bay State Marathon - his first victory.

However, his win at the Philadelphia Marathon the following year in 1974 sparked an incredible stretch of victories. In 1975, he won the Boston Marathon in an American Record time of 2:09:55. Then between 1975 and 1980, he won the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon four times each, breaking the American Record two more times during that span.

In 1976, he competed in the Montreal Olympics, placing 40th in the marathon. In his career, Boston Billy ran 59 marathons, with 28 of them being faster than 2:15, an incredible testament to his durability and passion for the sport.

Desi Linden

Des just doesnt stop. Born in California, Desiree Des Linden was a high school standout, who went on to run competitively in college at Arizona State, becoming a two time All-American in Cross Country and Track.

Des began running professionally in 2006 and qualified for her first Olympic Team in 2008. She would go on to compete in the Olympics twice, 2012 and 2016. After not being able to finish in 2012, she would storm back in 2016, finishing seventh in the Olympic marathon.

Throughout her career Des has been dominant across various distances and surfaces from the road to cross country. She was second at both the 2010 Chicago Marathon and 2011 Boston Marathon. She also won the Philadelphia Rock N Roll Half Marathon (formerly and now again Philadelphia Distance Run) in 2018 in a time of 1:11.

Earlier in 2018 was perhaps her crowning achievement. Linden won the Boston Marathon, becoming the first American woman to do so in 33 years. Since, she has also competed in Ultra-marathon distances and ran her final Boston Marathon in 2025 where she had run her debut in 2007, a full circle moment in a spectacular career.

Steve Prefontaine

The folk-hero of American Running

Steve Prefontaines legacy in American running is almost impossible to understate, whats perhaps even more remarkable though is that it all happened before he would tragically die in a car crash before age 25.

Born in Coos Bay, Oregon, Pre was a high school star. By his junior year in high school he won the Cross Country state title. In his final year of high school, his star began to burn hot. He set a National two- mile record, taking nearly 7 seconds off the previous time. He also won two more state titles in both the one and two mile distances.

Recruited nationally, Pre chose to remain close to home at Oregon under the tutelage of legendary Coach, Bill Bowerman. While at Oregon, Pre won the 5,000m National Title three years in a row as well as being the National Champion in Cross Country. He lost only twice in college.

What made Pre iconic to this day wasnt the results that he had, but rather how he did it. Refusing to race strategically from within the pack of runners, Pre would run from the front - almost daring others to try and beat him. His attitude would captivate the nation.

While still at Oregon, he qualified for the Olympic Team in 1972 for the Munich Games. In the 5,000m final, Pre ran from the front with a mile to go, only to be passed in the final meters - finishing a disappointing fourth place and off the podium. Pre didnt let the result slow him down, as in the coming years - he would hold American Records at every distance from 2,000-10,000m. In his time at Oregon, he never lost a collegiate race at 3 miles, 5,000 meters, 6 miles, or 10,000 meters.

After cementing his status as the Rock Star of American Running, he set his sights on the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, pushing his training while also becoming a strong advocate for the rights of amateur athletes trying to earn a living through their sport.

Tragically, Prefontaine would die in a single car crash after leaving a party in 1975. His incredible life was cut tragically short, however his legacy remains strong to this day.

Alyson Felix

The most decorated American track athlete in Olympic Track and Field History.

Allyson Felix burst onto the national running scene at age 17, finishing second in the U.S. National Championships at 200m, qualifying her for her first World Championship. The following year, she won a Silver Medal at the Olympics at the 200m distance, setting a World Junior Record in the process Just two years later, at age 19, she became the youngest woman to ever win the 200m, becoming the World Champion.

Two years later, she would win another world title at 200m, while also on the winning 4x100 and 4x400m relay teams, making her only the second female athlete ever to win three Gold Medals at a World Championship. She was just getting started.

Over the coming years, Felix would dominate at both the 200m distance where she became the 200m Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion. At the 400m distance, she has a World Championship as well as a silver and Olympic medals of silver and bronze. She also won ten U.S National Titles and played a major role on relay teams.

In 2012, she would be a part of two record setting relay teams at Penn Relays (the 4x100m and 4x400m teams).

Her career accomplishments on the track are without peer. She is the most decorated women in Olympic Track and Field by earning 11 total medals from 5 consecutive Olympic Games.

Later in her career, she would become an outspoken advocate for the rights of women in competition as mothers, highlighting discriminatory sponsorship practices, prompting her to start her own shoe company, which she wore to win an Olympic medal (becoming the first athlete to accomplish that as well). Felix retired in 2022, but remains an advocate for healthy lifestyles - having served during the Obama administration on the Presidents Council on Fitness as well as for the rights of mothers in competitive sports.

The Wall of Fame at PR University City