Joe Falcon (born June 23, 1966) is a former US middle-distance runner whose greatest success was his victory in the 1990 Oslo Dream Mile with a time of 3:49.31 minutes, which was the fastest mile in the world in 1990. In the course of the race, he ran a personal best over 1500 m of 3:33.6. Also, in 1990 Joe won the 5000 meter at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon in 13:20, with a last lap under 53 seconds.
Running career
Falcon attended Belton High School in Missouri. While there, he won the Missouri High School cross country division 1A-3A race in 1983, running the 5000 meter race in a time of 15:57.5. In 1984, he had a stellar track season, running 1:52.45 (800 m), 4:06.6 (1600 m), and 8:53.35 (3200 m).
Falcon won six individual NCAA titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track: indoor 3,000 m champion 1987 & 1988, indoor mile champ 1988, outdoor 10,000 m champion 1987, outdoor 1,500 m champion 1988 and cross country champion 1987.
On August 10, 1990, he suffered a torn sheath in his left Achilles' tendon during a race in Brussels, Belgium after another runner accidentally spiked him.
It has been said, on a side note, that Joe Falcon could also bench press over 280 lbs, (290 lbs actually reported eyewitnesses) an astonishing amount for his small frame.
Falcon worked as a police officer in Bentonville, Arkansas and serves on the school board. He is married with three children.
Rankings and recognition
Falcon was ranked among the top ten runners in his event in the US and the world by Track and Field News on numerous occasions:[2]
Year
Event
World rank
US rank
1988
1500 meters
-
7th
1989
1500 meters
-
3rd
5000 meters
-
1st
1990
1500 meters
3rd
1st
1991
1500 meters
-
8th
1992
1500 meters
-
3rd
1993
1500 meters
-
5th
10,000 meters
-
7th
In 1990, Falcon received the prestigious Glenn Cunningham Award from the USATF as the top American male distance runner.[3]
*Distances have varied as follows: 2 Miles (1899–1931), 5000 meters (1933–1939), 3 Miles 1932, (1940–1986) and odd numbered years since 2015, and 3000 meters (1987–2014) and even numbered years since 2014