Joe Falcon (born June 23, 1966) is a former US middle-distance runner whose greatest success was his victory in the 1990Oslo Dream Mile with a time of 3:49.31 minutes, which was the fastest mile in the world in 1990. In the course of the race, he ran a personal best over 1500 m of 3:33.6. Also, in 1990 Joe won the 5000 meter at thePrefontaine Classic inEugene, Oregon in 13:20, with a last lap under 53 seconds.
Falcon attendedBelton High School in Missouri. While there, he won the Missouri High School cross country division 1A-3A race in 1983, running the 5000 meter race in a time of 15:57.5. In 1984, he had a stellar track season, running 1:52.45 (800 m), 4:06.6 (1600 m), and 8:53.35 (3200 m).
Falcon won six individual NCAA titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track: indoor 3,000 m champion 1987 & 1988, indoor mile champ 1988, outdoor 10,000 m champion 1987, outdoor 1,500 m champion 1988 and cross country champion 1987.
On August 10, 1990, he suffered a torn sheath in his leftAchilles' tendon during a race inBrussels, Belgium after another runner accidentally spiked him.
It has been said, on a side note, that Joe Falcon could also bench press over 280 lbs, (290 lbs actually reported eyewitnesses) an astonishing amount for his small frame.
Falcon worked as a police officer inBentonville, Arkansas and serves on the school board. He is married with three children.
* Events before 1906 are considered unofficial. Distances have varied as follows: 2 Miles (1899–1931) and odd numbered years since 2015, 5000 meters (1933–1939), 3 Miles 1932, (1940–1986), and 3000 meters (1987–2014) and even numbered years since 2014
