The Running Legend

Glenn Cunningham Glenn Verniss Cunningham was an American distance runner who is considered the greatest American miller of all time. He received the James E. Sullivan award during the year 1933 and was named the top amateur athlete within the United States. H was born in Atlanta, Kansas, but he was raised in Elkhart, Kansas. His father was Henry Clinton Cunningham (September 20, 1877- July 27, 1966) and his mother was Rose Agnes Cunningham (December 5 1882- March 1 1961). Cunningham’s legs were severely burned during an explosion within is his schoolhouse, the explosion occurred when someone mistakenly replaced the kerosene with in a tank with gasoline, Cunningham was only eight years old; his thirteen year old brother Floyd perished in the fire. The physicians considered amputating his legs, but Cunningham refused. He regained his ability to walk and run through participating within a therapy which allowed him to regain his ability to walk and run He competed within both the summer Olympics of 1932 and 1936. During the 1936 summer Olympics he met one of his greatest friends Jesse Owens. Glenn Cunningham is a rather inspirational figure, who triumphed over the adversities which intervened within his life, but he did not allow those adverse events tarnish his own dreams. He competed within events which would be considered inadequate due to the injuries he sustained, but his perseverance allowed him to participate within such events, thus providing a perfect example of an inspirational athlete.