LAST MONTH MARKED the 60th anniversary of one of the most celebrated track races ever hosted in Ireland.
Just after the Empire Games (now known as the Commonwealth Games) took place in Cardiff, some of the world’s leading milers were brought to Santry by promoter Billy Morton to run in the new stadium that had just opened.
Included in the field were the Olympic gold medalist Ronnie Delany and Empire Games gold medalist Herb Elliott.
The race left such a lasting legacy because the winner on the night, the Australian Elliott, smashed the then world record, finishing the mile in 3:54.5.
On top of that, it was the first time in history that the top five finishers all finished in under four minutes.
Also running that day was a 19-year-old Dan Carbery from Carlow, who still remembers the race, and the thousands of people that came to watch it, clearly.
Great interview with Dan Carbery!
Amazing that such elite athletes all ran together in Ireland.
Nice little story
3:54.5 for a mile back then is just incredible, especially considering the lack of sports science and the equipment at the time.
My father brought me to that event . Big crowd , my abiding memory is that most people walked to the stadium.
I was there that night with my Grandfather who bought me a life-time membership of Clonliffe Harriors on the night. I still have the card signed by Billy Morton. Was also there the previous night when Albert Thomas broke the World Two Mile record.
He used to play as a winger for Carlow rugby too but my dad said it was hard to convince him to play as he didn’t want to get hurt :D
Dan and I started school on the same day as 5-yr olds,
Although our careers took different paths, in retirement we renewed contact within the past decade, and found that we still had much in common, and our friendship endures.
I was amongst the huge crowd (together with another mutual friend) at Santry Stadium on that memorable evening in August 1958, and felt so incredibly proud of my friend.
Dan, by nature is not at all boastful, and so would be less inclined to speak of his accomplishments. Therefore, worthy of note too, I feel, is that a few years prior to the “Santry Mile” I recall reading in one of the national daily papers about Dan representing Ireland at an international student games. which I believe it was held in Portugal.
Dan was always very swift on his feet ,and I’ve seen him in action on the rugby pitch, and contrary to comment by SilexFlint, from what I’ve seen of him playing, he never showed any hesitation to engage in close physical contact. Thanks. Paul Brennan