Remembering Bob Schul

Bob Schul was an American long-distance runner who is most widely known for his accomplishment of being the only American to have won an Olympic gold medal in the 5000 meters at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Unfortunately, the world lost Schul on June 16, 2024.

Schul is a huge piece of West Milton history, as he was born here in 1937 and raised here. His brother shared that Schul loved to race against his brothers at a young age and that’s where his running career and race tactics began. But competitively, he began his running career in 7th grade for Milton-Union and continued until he graduated in 1955. During his time at Milton, he was able to achieve a 4:34.4 mile time.

During his collegiate career, he ran for Miami University, where he broke the school record in the mile as a sophomore (4:12.1). He graduated from Miami in 1966.

During his time at school, he also joined the Air Force as an enlisted airman, which limited his ability to train for a year. Throughout this time period, Schul ran in the USA Championships, National Championships, and indoor races. Shortly after his successes at these races, he was diagnosed with mononucleosis and spent three months in an Air Force hospital. But, the next winter, he became the U.S. Indoor Champion, running 13.39.3 for 3 miles.

With his return to Miami in the fall of 1963, he continued training and had an impressive 1964 indoor and outdoor season where he did not lose a single race. He also ran the Olympic Trials in this same year. On August 29, 1964, he set a new world record for a two-mile race with a time of 8.26.4.

It was now time for the Olympics! For the first time in history, Track and Field News and Sports Illustrated picked an American to win a distance race. The Olympic final was held in heavy rain. Schul ran an impressive 37.8 for the last 300 meters on a muddy track. He caught his opponent 50 meters before the finish line and pulled away for a clear victory to take the gold medal.

Schul was also a coach for Wright State Track and Field from the 1970’s to the early 2000’s. His dedication is impossible to go unnoticed or be forgotten. Schul has left a huge mark on the sport entirely.

Each year, Milton-Union hosts the Bob Schul Invitational, a cross-country race which happens to be one of the largest in the state. Head coach Mike Meredith takes pride to be able to run this race and pass out awards named after Schul. Schul would show up to the invitational for years talking to the athletes and signing autographs.

The West Milton community was deeply saddened by his passing but will never forget the kindness and perseverance that he showed.