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BILLY MILLS
Overlooked Hero of Running

Posted December 4th, 2006 at 1:30 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, SoundOFF, Columns, Olympics, SPOTLIGHT

Billy Mills Native American 10,000m gold medalist runner This year Runner’s World selected running legend Frank Shorter as one of it’s “Heroes of Running”. We don’t disagree with this designation; Shorter was an incredible runner and continues to be an inspiration to athletes around the world.

However, Shorter’s selection highlights a real injustice, but not because Shorter is in anyway undeserving of the award. Conversely, it serves to highlight how the media, and the running & fitness industry as a whole, have spent so much time focusing on runners like Shorter and Steve Prefontaine that many other heroes of running have sadly, been overlooked.

Want an example? How about Olympic Champion Billy Mills; the first and only American to win a gold medal in the 10,000m. Not only did Mills beat the top international athletes on the grandest of stages (Via one of the most dramatic come-from-behind wins in history), but he has also did so while battling prejudice because of his Native American background. Today, Mills has gone on to be a true role model and advocate for several generations of Native American youths.

So why have Mills and his amazing accomplishments been so overlooked? Why have Runner’s World, Running Times and other running publications failed to give Mills the coverage, attention and honors that he so genuinely deserves?

Maybe it’s because Mills’ shocking victory occurred at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo - which occurred before Runner’s World and other competing running magazines even existed. But that’s no excuse. Billy Mills today.gif Mills, now 68 years old, is alive and well; continuing to make his mark in the world of running by leading his charitable “Team Running Strong” at the Marine Corps Marathon. He is also passionately dedicates himself to philanthropy and to fighting prejudice against Native Americans as the national spokesperson of “Running Strong for American Indian Youth”.

It’ is also no excuse because that hasn’t stopped any of these publications from paying substantial attention to Jesse Owens, another hero of running, who like Mills, had to battle discrimination and prejudice.

It is true that Hollywood finally changed their portrayal of Native Americans in the 1983 film entitled “Running Brave”. There has of course been some, minimal media content about Mills. But overall, Mills has been largely ignored, especially from the major spotlight and has, without a doubt, become an overlooked hero of running.

When The Final Sprint took a poll of runners at a recent marathon, we were shocked and saddened by the results. Only 7% of respondents were able to properly identify Mills. As a matter of fact, only 9% even knew that Mills had been an athlete at all.

Correcting this injustice has been long overdue and The Final Sprint plans to lead the way in doing so. It would be to everyone’s benefit, especially the younger generations of runners, to learn from and be inspired by Mills - the runner. Even more important, is for us all to learn from the example of Mills - the human being.

This is the first in our series of articles about Mills that will include information about his life, athletic achievements, work as an advocate against prejudice and a movie review of Running Brave. In addition, The Final Sprint is in the process of setting up an interview with Mills that will be made available as a free, downloadable podcast on our site and in iTunes.

We can only hope that other running publications will follow our lead.

Want to learn more about Mills right now? Then definitely check out:

“Every passion has it’s destiny.” – Billy Mills

Ben Fletcher said:

This is wonderful. Mills is overlooked. He is the greatest long distance champion America has ever seen. I’m a big Prefontaine fan, but Mills embodies all the true characteristics of a winner. He fought and still fights prejudice and injustice and is a great advocate for human rights and equality. A true hero who deserves some recognition. Running Brave!
December 4th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Adam Jacobs said:

Thanks Ben - couldn’t agree more. Don’t get me wrong - I am captivated by PRE and love watching “Without Limits” like everyone else.

We just wanted to point out that there are tons of other legendary runners who should really be applauded for not only their running accomplishments, but also for what they have done as a person. Foremost among them - is Billy Mills.

Thanks again and stay tuned for the other 4 parts in our five part series on Billy Mills!

-Adam

–
Adam Jacobs
Editor-in-Chief
TheFinalSprint.com
December 4th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
BILLY MILLS The Olympic Legend | The Final Sprint (TFS) | Comprehensive Running, Nutrition, and Fitness Publication said:

[…] BILLY MILLS: Overlooked Hero of Running […]
December 21st, 2006 at 5:35 am
BILLY MILLS Compassionate Warrior | The Final Sprint (TFS) | Comprehensive Running, Nutrition, and Fitness Publication said:

[…] BILLY MILLS: Overlooked Hero of Running […]
December 27th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
Podcast 14: Interview with legendary Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills | The Final Sprint (TFS) | The Internet’s Premier Running, Fitness, and Nutrition Publication said:

[…] In today’s podcast, I am joined by Billy Mills - a true hero of running and a compassionate warrior. […]
February 14th, 2007 at 10:53 am
Mary said:

I personally like how Billy Mills believed in himself his whole life and how even though his parents passed away he still kept his running passion strong! You’re info helped me alot on my research paper! Thanks!
December 5th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
da bomb said:

i agree with y’all. i’m doing a research paper on Billy and this set is one of my main sources. One thing not to forget is he was a Greylocker and that year on center lake
January 25th, 2009 at 10:25 pm