Martin McGrady
Encyclopedia
Martin McGrady was an American
track and field
athlete known primarily for running the now obsolete indoor 600 yard dash. Before Eamonn Coghlan
, McGrady held the title of "Chairman of the Boards." Sports Illustrated
said "Martin McGrady doesn't run the 600, he owns it." Running standard Olympic distances, McGrady "barely earned a footnote" but at the Imperial distance indoors, he was legendary. The race at the 1970 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
where he set the World Record of 1:07.6 in the event is regarded as the best indoor race and the number 7 track and field competition of the 20th Century. McGrady's record stood for 22 years until it was finally beaten by Mark Everett
.
By running the odd distance, McGrady did not face softer competition. Reigning Olympic Champions/World Record holders Ralph Doubell
(800 m) and Lee Evans
(400 m) wanted the good race against McGrady. The racing rivalry between Evans and McGrady is still remembered. McGrady won three straight National championships and had three straight victories at the prestigious Millrose Games
.
McGrady attended Garfield High School
in Akron and studied Medical Technology at Central State University
, where he was coached by David Youngblade. He set the first of three world records in the 600 while at Central State, just a week before winning the 1966 NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
s. He also tied the world record in the 500 metres.
On October 8, 2010, Youngblade had the honor to induct McGrady into the Central State University
Hall of Fame.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete known primarily for running the now obsolete indoor 600 yard dash. Before Eamonn Coghlan
Eamonn Coghlan
Eamonn Christopher Coghlan is an Irish Senator and former athlete, who specialised in middle distance track events and the 5000 metres...
, McGrady held the title of "Chairman of the Boards." Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
said "Martin McGrady doesn't run the 600, he owns it." Running standard Olympic distances, McGrady "barely earned a footnote" but at the Imperial distance indoors, he was legendary. The race at the 1970 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
USA Indoor Track and Field Championships
The USA Indoor Track and Field Championships is an annual indoor track and field competition organized by USA Track & Field, which serves as the American national championships for the sport...
where he set the World Record of 1:07.6 in the event is regarded as the best indoor race and the number 7 track and field competition of the 20th Century. McGrady's record stood for 22 years until it was finally beaten by Mark Everett
Mark Everett (athlete)
David Mark Everett is a former American college and international middle-distance runner who won the bronze medal in the 800-meter event at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo. The following year, Everett finished second in the US Olympic Trials in New Orleans behind Johnny Gray...
.
By running the odd distance, McGrady did not face softer competition. Reigning Olympic Champions/World Record holders Ralph Doubell
Ralph Doubell
Ralph Douglas Doubell AM is an Australian former athlete, and gold medallist at the 1968 Summer Olympics.-Biography:...
(800 m) and Lee Evans
Lee Evans (athlete)
Lee Edward Evans is a former American athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1968 Summer Olympics....
(400 m) wanted the good race against McGrady. The racing rivalry between Evans and McGrady is still remembered. McGrady won three straight National championships and had three straight victories at the prestigious Millrose Games
Millrose Games
The Millrose Games is an annual indoor athletics meet held on the first Friday in February in New York City. They will be held at the Armory in Washington Heights in 2012, after having taken place in Madison Square Garden from 1914 to 2011...
.
McGrady attended Garfield High School
Garfield High School (Akron, Ohio)
Garfield High School is a public high school located off of N. Firestone Blvd. in Akron, Ohio. It is 1 of 7 high schools in the Akron Public Schools district.-History:...
in Akron and studied Medical Technology at Central State University
Central State University
Central State University, commonly referred to as "C-State", is a historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is the only public HBCU in Ohio.-History:...
, where he was coached by David Youngblade. He set the first of three world records in the 600 while at Central State, just a week before winning the 1966 NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA team champions for Men's Indoor Track and Field-See also:*NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*Pre-NCAA Indoor Track and Field Champions...
s. He also tied the world record in the 500 metres.
On October 8, 2010, Youngblade had the honor to induct McGrady into the Central State University
Central State University
Central State University, commonly referred to as "C-State", is a historically black university located in Wilberforce, Ohio, United States. It is the only public HBCU in Ohio.-History:...
Hall of Fame.