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