Charles Kilpatrick
Encyclopedia
Charles Henry Kilpatrick (October 23, 1874 – December 5, 1921) was an American
athlete. His best event was the 880 yard run
, in which he became the national champion three times and established a long-lived world record time of 1:53.4.
, New York
on October 23, 1874 to an Irish-American family.
Kilpatrick became a noted runner while at the New York State Normal High School. He went on to study at Union College
, joining the Beta Theta Pi
fraternity
there. It was at Union College that Kilpatrick reached his peak as a runner, breaking the world record in the 880 yards and becoming both intercollegiate
and national champion in that event. In 1896, Kilpatrick switched to Princeton University
, continuing his running career there. He then became athletic director
at University of Wisconsin before returning to his home state and entering the employ of Spalding
. Kilpatrick died of heart failure in New York City
on December 5, 1921.
champion in 1894 and US champion three times between 1894 and 1896.
In a September 21, 1895 dual meet between the New York Athletic Club (which Kilpatrick represented) and the London Athletic Club
, described by Sports Illustrated
as the first major international track meet ever, Kilpatrick easily won the 880 yards, establishing a new world record of 1:53.4. This time demolished Walter Dohm's previous record of 1:54.5, and was only beaten 14 years later by Emilio Lunghi
of Italy. Kilpatrick also represented his club in the three mile run, in which he quit after five laps; this was of no consequence, as only wins counted and teammate Thomas Conneff
easily took the race home.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete. His best event was the 880 yard run
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
, in which he became the national champion three times and established a long-lived world record time of 1:53.4.
Biography
Charles Henry Kilpatrick was born in AlbanyAlbany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on October 23, 1874 to an Irish-American family.
Kilpatrick became a noted runner while at the New York State Normal High School. He went on to study at Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
, joining the Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi
Beta Theta Pi , often just called Beta, is a social collegiate fraternity that was founded in 1839 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, USA, where it is part of the Miami Triad which includes Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi. It has over 138 active chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada...
fraternity
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
there. It was at Union College that Kilpatrick reached his peak as a runner, breaking the world record in the 880 yards and becoming both intercollegiate
IC4A
IC4A or ICAAAA is an annual men's competition held at different colleges every year....
and national champion in that event. In 1896, Kilpatrick switched to Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, continuing his running career there. He then became athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
at University of Wisconsin before returning to his home state and entering the employ of Spalding
Spalding (sports equipment)
Spalding is a sporting goods company founded by Albert Spalding in Chicago, Illinois, in 1876 and now headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The company specializes in the production of balls for many sports, but is most-known for its basketballs...
. Kilpatrick died of heart failure in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on December 5, 1921.
Running career
While at Union College, Kilpatrick became the world's leading half-miler, becoming intercollegiateIC4A
IC4A or ICAAAA is an annual men's competition held at different colleges every year....
champion in 1894 and US champion three times between 1894 and 1896.
In a September 21, 1895 dual meet between the New York Athletic Club (which Kilpatrick represented) and the London Athletic Club
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, described by 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...
as the first major international track meet ever, Kilpatrick easily won the 880 yards, establishing a new world record of 1:53.4. This time demolished Walter Dohm's previous record of 1:54.5, and was only beaten 14 years later by Emilio Lunghi
Emilio Lunghi
Emilio Lunghi was an Italian athlete. He won the silver medal in the men's 800 metres race at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, making him the first Italian to win an Olympic medal....
of Italy. Kilpatrick also represented his club in the three mile run, in which he quit after five laps; this was of no consequence, as only wins counted and teammate Thomas Conneff
Thomas Conneff
Thomas Conneff was an amateur American runner who held the amateur record for the fastest mile from 1895 to 1911.He was an Irish-born runner who emigrated to the United States in 1888 and generally specialized in longer distances, winning the national 10-mile championship four years in a row...
easily took the race home.