Business

Phil Knight

Co-founder of Nike

All evidence

2 records, newest first. Strength changes with age and weight class, so check the date and context before you compare.

1. 1959

   • Mile4:13

     CompetitionUniversity of Oregon miler under Bill BowermanUniversity of Oregon track, personal best

     “As a middle-distance runner at Oregon, his personal best was 1 mile (1.6 km) in 4 minutes, 13 seconds”

     Phil Knight (Wikipedia)News report1959medium confidence

     Sources disagree: Encyclopedia.com says 4:15 (see other record); the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame page reportedly says 4:10 (page returned 404). Date is his last college season, not the exact race.

   • Mile4:15

     CompetitionUniversity of Oregon miler under Bill BowermanUniversity of Oregon track, personal best

     “He distinguished himself as a miler, with 4:15 as his best time.”

     Knight, Philip (Encyclopedia.com)News report1959medium confidence

     Conflicts with Wikipedia's 4:13.