Forrest Towns

While in high school at Richmond Academy, Spec Towns was better known as a footballer but in his senior year he cleared 6-0 (1.83) in the high jump to earn a track scholarship to Georgia. Towns took up hurdling in 1934 and ran a then-respectable 15.1, improving to 14.4 in 1935, and in 1936 he was invincible. He equalled the world record of 14.1 five times in 1936, although only two of the marks were officially recognized.

After winning the Olympic title in Berlin, Towns finished the 1936 season with one of the most memorable performances in track history. At a post-Olympic meet in Oslo, Towns was angry with the USOC officials for insisting that he remain in Europe rather than allowing him to return home for football practice; this ire spurred him to a world record of 13.7 that was to remain unbeaten for 14 years. Apart from his Olympic gold medal, Towns won the AAU in 1936, the NCAA in 1936 (where his 14.1 mark was his first recognized world record) and 1937 and, although he didn’t compete outdoors in 1938, he won the AAU indoor that year.

Personal Bests: 110H – 13.7 (1936).