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- Flojo's Most Overlooked Rival Just Turned 68
Flojo's Most Overlooked Rival Just Turned 68
Apr 16, 2025 | Edition #115
👋 Hey, Speedsters!
Today, we’re kicking things off with the birthday of a legend who once tore up the track alongside Flo-Jo—yes, that Flo-Jo! Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s losing its collective mind over a single discus throw. And can you believe one runner just sprinted the equivalent of twice around the Earth! So, buckle up, folks—today’s edition is bursting with heart, heat, and pure track magic!
🌟 Track Stories
A Veteran Who Faded Away From The Spotlight!
Yesterday marked the 68th birthday of one of track and field’s most underrated legends — Evelyn Ashford. A woman whose story needs to be remembered. Let’s rewind to July 1983. High altitude, big pressure. Evelyn Ashford smashed the 100m world record in 10.79s, becoming the first woman ever to go sub-10.8s. Need a refresher? Here you go! She ended the decade-long legacy of German sprinters in a blink! After all, Wilma Rudolph had been her idol since she was 12. Then came the real showdown in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
After reigning as the world's fastest woman for 5 years, Ashford lined up beside 'the' FloJ—who had just stolen Ashford’s world record two months prior with that eye-popping 10.49. The two went head-to-head under the brightest lights. FloJo finished first in 10.54s. Ashford took silver in 10.83. But while history tends to remember only the winner, what we forget is this—Ashford was 31 at the time, still holding ground beautifully in a sport believed to be for the young. Watch her almost defeating FloJo here. But here’s what most people miss.
That medal wasn’t just a podium finish. It was a statement. Ashford had given birth just a few years prior and returned to compete at the absolute highest level. Long before we were celebrating sprinting moms like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Ashford had already paved that path. She stepped away in ’85, came back in ’86, and didn’t miss a beat. Motherhood wasn’t the finish line. It was just the next chapter.
And that's how a woman who started off by racing boys at school and became an Olympian at just 19, went on to show what 18 years of sprinting greatness looked like. So here’s to you, Evelyn Ashford. The OG mommy rocket. Happy Belated Birthday!
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📈 Trending News
This Man Just Broke The World Record Twice!
Things got wild in Ramona, Oklahoma, this weekend—and we’re not just talking about the wind. At the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational, 22-year-old Mykolas Alekna didn’t just break the world record… he broke it twice! Once in Round 1 with a massive 74.89m. And then, again, just three rounds later with a freak-of-nature 75.56m.
Yes, that’s a full meter farther than the record he set at the same venue last year. And yes, it’s officially the longest throw in discus history. EVER! Well, it wasn’t just Alekna having a day. Matt Denny, his top rival, also launched a monster throw—74.78m. Five guys crossed 70 meters. Seven more topped 69m. Yes! That’s crazy indeed! Here’s Alekna’s epic throw that could’ve cleared three tennis courts!
That kind of collective carnage doesn’t just “happen.” It’s time we talk about Thrown Town. Yes, that’s what folks are starting to call Ramona. Why? Because Millican Field, where all this went down, isn’t just a normal field—it’s practically built for this. The layout, the wind conditions, the angles—it all comes together to create a launch pad for record throws. And unlike sprints or jumps, discus has no illegal wind limits. So if you know how to ride the breeze, you can send it into orbit. Which brings us back to Mykolas.
Sure, the wind helped. But it still takes precision to release the discus at the perfect angle, in the perfect direction, with the perfect spin. And that’s where Alekna’s bloodline kicks in—he’s the son of two-time Olympic champ Virgilijus Alekna, now No. 4 on the all-time list. But not everyone’s thrilled.
One commentator straight-up called it “weather doping” and said performances like this should come with an asterisk, given how perfect the conditions were. So here’s the million-dollar question: Did we just witness greatness? Or did we watch a talented thrower ride a weather system into the record books?
📊 POLL OF THE DAY
We saw some crazy updates from your favourites. First, Tebogo announced his 400m & now the world's fastest man alive, Noah Lyles, has jumped on the wagon. Both will clash at the Tom Jones invitational alongside the underdog Erriyon Knighton.
Who Do You Think Can Be the 400m Champion at Tom Jones? |
Last Poll Result: We asked you, “Should He Take a Break and Come Back Stronger?” 63% of you voted “Yes.” Looks like most of you think a break is just what he needs to recharge and return even better. However, some are still skeptical, wondering if time away will truly make a difference. Only time will tell if the break pays off!
🏅Beyond the Medals
40 Years of Sprinting Ends In An Unreal Record!
Well, this is something you don’t see every day. In a year that’s seen some jaw-dropping feats, Cedar Crest High School track coach Rob Bare just blew them all out of the water. Forget about the wild 10,000-mile trek across Africa—Rob's personal milestone is straight-up legendary.
Under the lights of Earl Boltz Stadium on Monday night, with the crowd roaring behind him, Rob did what no one thought possible. With one final mile, Rob hit 50,000 lifetime miles. That’s 1,908 marathons, or running around the world twice! If this still isn’t blowing your mind, watching him run surely will.
Now, this wasn’t a quick 50,000 miles. Rob averaged about 1,250 miles a year, sticking to the goal he set when he was just 18. And now, in his 50s, he’s still pushing forward like it’s nothing. But what makes Rob’s story even more powerful isn’t just the numbers—it’s his heart. He didn’t just run for the record. He ran in memory of his late wife, Tiffany, who passed away after a 15-year battle with cancer. Her strength kept him going, especially when things got tougher in the years after 2010.
Even today, Rob wears a pink headband during every run in Tiffany’s honor. But this record is what makes Rob an inspiration for generations!
That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!
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