The Gregoreks Join Exclusive Father/Son Sub-4 Club

Published by Bring Back the Mile on February 19, 2015

On February 14, 2015 at the venerable NYRR Millrose Games Wanamaker Mile, John "Johnny" Gregorek, Jr. (right) finished 10th in 3:57.47 for his first sub-4 minute Mile to join his father, a two-time U.S. Olympic team member in the steeplechase, in that benchmark club (more than 1,350 men and counting since May 1954). Moreover, the Gregoreks entered an even more rarefied group as only the 8th father / son sub-4 combo.

The first father / son combo to break 4 minutes was two-time Olympic champion and running legend Kip Keino and his son Martin Keino who clocked 3:54.2 (1965) and 3:58.73 (1994), respectively, while Barry and Darren Brown were the first U.S. father / son combo sub-4, 3:58.8 (1973) and 3:59.99 (2008), respectively.

Below is a chronological order and summary of the 8 fathers and sons who have run under 4 minutes for the Mile.

#1 – first overall
AVE = 3:52.72 (Kip = 3:53.1 and Martin = 3:52.33) – #1 fastest PR average
3:54.16 Kip Keino (KEN) 08/30/65
3:58.73 Martin Keino (KEN) 06/04/94