Slaney inducted into T&F hall of fame

[Ryan]

Original article

Slaney in track hall of fame

Asked once if she would give up running in exchange for winning a big event, Mary Slaney didn't think long.

Better to feel the joy of running every day than a momentary thrill, Slaney said.

The 45-year-old from Eugene -- the first star of women's long distance running -- was honored Tuesday with induction into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame for a career that began in her teens and shows no sign of closing.

Slaney joined sprinter John Carlos, and 400-meter stars Larry James and Mike Larrabee as 2003 inductees. The induction ceremony is Dec. 5 in Greensboro, N.C.

"When I started running at age 11, I never dreamed that I'd be running now, or even as long as I have," Slaney said in a statement from USA Track and Field.

Slaney's credits are impeccable. She is the only athlete to have held every American record from 800 to 10,000 meters, and still owns the best American times in the 1,500 (3 minutes, 57.12 seconds), mile (4:16.71) and 3,000 (8:25.83). She won the 1,500 and 3,000 at the 1983 World Championships and set 37 national and 17 official and unofficial world records.

She made her international debut at 14, as the pint-sized Mary Decker, outracing women 10 years older. She raced in four Olympics, her last at age 37 in 1996.

Slaney was tough, fluid and powerful. Plagued by injuries, she was mesmerizing when healthy.

An Olympic medal eluded her. Her best chance was in the 1984 3,000. But she tangled with South Africa's Zola Budd and, in one of the most famous images in track history, tumbled to the ground.

She could be abrasive and flinty, but the public eventually embraced Slaney for her determination and competitiveness, especially after her second place in the 5,000 at the 1996 Olympic Trials.

"I've never faced a day in training when I've told myself that I have to work out, or I have to train," Slaney said. "In fact, I feel that every day that I get to train I'm lucky, especially over the years with all the injuries and problems that I've had."

Slaney, who lives in Eugene with her husband, Richard, and daughter, Ashley, runs about seven miles daily.