Ranked among the world’s best middle distance runners in the 1980s, Don Paige, a former world record holder, is one of the most accomplished track stars to come from Central New York. A member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic track team, he qualified for the 800 meters but a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Games prevented him from competing.

 

Paige dominated in track and cross country during his high schools days at Baldwinsville. In 1975, he won indoor state titles in the 1,000-yard run and the one-mile run then added outdoor track state titles in the 880-yard run and one mile. Paige was the first person to ever win both the 880 yards and one mile run at the state meet.

 

Paige went to Villanova, won six NCAA championships, and developed into a world-class runner. In 1980, besides making the Olympic team, he recorded the fastest time in the world in the 800 (1:44:6) and was ranked No. 1 in the world. Paige also was the A merican record holder in 1,000 meters (1983) and the world record holder in the 1,000 yards (1984).

 

Paige is the CEO of Paige Design Group, Inc., which specializes in the planning and design of track and field facilities, located just outside Durham, NC.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

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1974: Section Three champion in cross country, Indoor 1,000 yards and Outdoor mile run; State XC meet seventh place; Runner-up Indoor 1,000 yards and Outdoor mile run; Junior Olympic Champion in the mile run

 

1975: Section Three champion in Indoor 1,000 yards and mile run, and Outdoor 880 yards and mile run; State champion in Indoor 1,000 yards and mile run, and Outdoor 880 yards and mile run

 

1979: Pan-American Champion at 1,500 Meters in San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

1980: U.S. Olympic Team Member at 800 Meters (U.S. boycott year); Recorded fastest time in the world at 1:44:6 and ranked No. 1 in the world

 

1981-1984: Assistant track coach at Villanova University

 

1983: American record holder 1,000 meters

 

1984: World record holder 1,000 yards

 

1995: Inducted into the Villanova University Varsity Club, Hall of Fame

 

1996: Torch Bearer, Olympic Torch Relay, Atlanta Olympic Games

 

Record Times:

Fastest 800 1 min. 44.6 sec.

Fastest 1 mile 3 min. 54.1 sec.

Fastest 1500 meter 3 min. 37.3 sec. 

Unbeaten Records:

Fastest 1000 yard 2 min. 4.7 sec.

Fastest 1000 meter 2 min. 19 sec.