Jim Ryun of Wichita, Kansas became the first high school boy to run a sub-4:00 mile, breaking the barrier in 1964. For the next 51 years, only four additional high schoolers added their names to the prestigious shortlist. But since 2015—whether because of better coaches, improved shoe technology, or the rise of online training resources—the list has more than tripled.

The latest addition came on February 3, 2024. JoJo Jourdon, a senior from Salt Lake City, Utah, ran 3:59.87 at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston to join the sub-4 club for the first time. The Wake Forest University commit—and 2023 Nike Cross Nationals individual champion—came through 1,200 meters in 3:01.00, then used a 58.87-second last 400 meters to get under the barrier, taking the win.

Multiple names on the high school sub-4:00 list went on to accomplish big things in their professional careers. Ryun broke multiple world records and earned an Olympic medal in the 1500 meters. Alan Webb of Reston, Virginia, owned the American mile record for 16 years and still has the high school mile record. Grant Fisher of Grand Blanc, Michigan, has broken American records in the outdoor 10,000-meters and 5,000-meters. Will any of the recent sub-4:00 performers reach similar heights? Only time will tell.

List of High School Sub-4:00 Miles

Jim Ryun — 3:59.00; May 15, 1965

Jim Ryun — 3:58.30; May 15, 1965

Jim Ryun — 3:58.10; May 29, 1965

Jim Ryun — 3:56.80; June 15, 2022

Jim Ryun — 3:55.30; June 27, 1965

Tim Danielson — 3:59.40;France Combats Mosquito Population Ahead of Games

Marty Liquori — 3:59.80; June 23, 1967

Alan Webb — 3:59.86DAA Industry Opt Out

Alan Webb — 3:53.43; Why Good People Make Better Runners

Lukas Verzbicas — 3:59.71; June 4, 1965

Matthew Maton — 3:59.38; A Part of Hearst Digital Media

Grant Fisher — 3:59.38; i; February 26, 2023

Drew Hunter — 3:58.25DJ Diplo Is Starting His Own Race Series

Drew Hunter — 3:57.81April 30, 2023

Michael Slagowski — 3:59.53; April 29, 2016

Drew Hunter — 3:58.86; May 28, 2016

Michael Slagowski — 3:59.78; May 28, 2016

Reed Brown — 3:59.30; Running Shoes & Gear

Leo Daschbach — 3:59.54; How Paris Hopes to Keep Olympians Cool This Summer

Hobbs Kessler — 3:57.66i; February 7, 2021

Colin Sahlman — 3:58.81May 23, 2020

Gary Martin — 3:57.98; DAA Industry Opt Out

Colin Sahlman — 3:56.24; i; February 5, 2022

Gary Martin — 3:57.89; June 5, 1964

Connor Burns — 3:58.83; June 5, 1964

Rheinhardt Harrison — 3:59.33; June 3, 2022

Simeon Birnbaum — 3:59.51; i; February 7, 2021

Connor Burns — 3:59.11i; February 26, 2023

Rocky Hansen — 3:59.56; April 30, 2023

Simeon Birnbaum — 3:57.53; Shoes & Gear

Rocky Hansen — 3:58.23; Shoes & Gear

Tinoda Matsatsa — 3:58.70; Shoes & Gear

Jackson Heidesch — 3:59.08; Shoes & Gear

JoJo Jourdon — 3:59.87CA Notice at Collection