I have been very fortunate to have witnessed some amazing performances in my 40+ years in the sport.
One of the greatest happened at the first Millrose Games in 1980....the first that I worked.
Legendary meet Director Howard Schmertz asked me if I would like to work at the Millrose Games as the statistician for announcer Bob Hersh. Howard said that one of my duties would be to provide the splits for Bob.
The quarter split for the Wanamaker Mile was a pedestrian 63.2. The crowd of 16,000+ booed. The race was eventually won by Coghlan with a furious last quarter to win in 3:58+.
Less then an hour later the gun sounded for the women's 1500. Mary Decker shot out like a bat out of hell. I clicked my watch at the quarter and it read 60.8. Then turned to Bob Hersh and said "holy sh-t, 60.8!). Bob announced "at the quarter 60.8". From that moment on, 16,000 fans were on their feet. The sound from their cheering was the loudest I have ever heard at any sporting event.
Thank you Mary.