Joe Falcon (athlete)


Joe Falcon 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, 4:06.6, and 8:53.35.
Falcon ran at the University of Arkansas under legendary coach John McDonnell. He was the anchor leg of the Arkansas Razorbacks distance medley relay that won at the 1986 Penn Relays and was the NCAA Cross Country Champion in 1987. He was named most outstanding performer among college men at both the 1988 and 1989 Penn Relays.
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, 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:
YearEventWorld rankUS rank
19881500 meters-7th
19891500 meters-3rd
5000 meters-1st
19901500 meters3rd1st
19911500 meters-8th
19921500 meters-3rd
19931500 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.