To order images and/or obtain permission to use them commercially, please contact the KSHS Reference Desk at KSHS.reference@ks.gov or 785-272-8681, ext. 117.
For more information see the Copyright and Permission FAQ.
This is a photograph showing Glenn Cunningham and University of Kansas track coach Bill Hargiss. Cunningham who grew up in Elkhart, Kansas, had several nicknames the Kansas Flyer, Elkhart Express and Iron Horse of Kansas. He earned the nicknames when he set world records for the mile. While attending school, his legs were very badly burned in a schoolhouse explosion which was caused when someone accidentally put gasoline instead of kerosene in a heating stove. Cunningham was eight and his brother Floyd was thirteen. Floyd died in the fire. When the doctors recommended amputating Glenn's legs, his parents would not allow the surgery. The doctors predicted he might never walk normally again; however, coupled with hours of a new type of therapy he gradually regained the ability to walk and to run. He attended the University of Kansas and ran on the track team. He competed in both the 1932 Summer Olympics as well as the 1936 Summer Olympics. While on the ship traveling from the U.S. to Germany, he was voted "Most Popular Athlete" by his fellow Olympians. Cunningham won the Sullivan medal in 1933 for his various running achievements in middle distance. In the 1932 Olympics he took 4th place in the 1500 meters, and in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, he took silver in the 1500 meters. Cunningham won the Sullivan medal in 1933 for his various running achievements in middle distance. In 1934, he set the world record for the mile run at 4:06.8, which stood for three years. In 1936, he set the world record in the 800 meter run. In 1938, he set a world record in the indoor mile run of 4:04.4. He retired from competition in 1940.
Creator: D'Ambra, Duke
Date: Between 1930 and 1933
Item Number: 312450
Call Number: Glenn Cunningham Coll.
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 312450
Collections - Photograph
Community Life - Recreation and Sports - Sports - Track and Field
Date - 1930s
Education - Higher education - Athletics - Track
Education - Higher education - Institutions - University of Kansas
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Photograph
People - Notable Kansans - Cunningham, Glenn, 1909-1988
Places - Cities and towns - Lawrence
Places - Counties - Douglas
Type of Material - Photographs
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/312450