Ruth Wysocki (born March 8, 1957, inAlhambra, California) is an American middle distance runner who specialized in the800 meters and1500 metres.
Wysocki began track competition in age-group races in the late 1960s, and continued her track career over a period of about 30 years, until she became a Masters (over-40) runner in 1997. Wysocki was a standout performer in the 800 m atAzusa High School inAzusa, California, winning the California State championship at440 y and 880 y.[citation needed] Running forCitrus College as Ruth Caldwell, she won theCCCAA California State Cross Country Championships in both 1977 and 1978.[1] Later in those seasons, she won the 1978-9 championships at both 800 meters and 1500 meters.[2] Her victories at the Southern California Championships remain the records in both those events.[3]She attended theUniversity of Redlands, where she excelled at 400 and 800 m.
Wysocki first won fame in American middle-distance running when she upsetMary Decker to win the 1978 US Championships 800 m in 2:01.99. Wysocki scored another upset victory against Decker (now Slaney) at the 1984US Olympic Trials, this time at 1500 m. Wysocki outsprinted Slaney to win the Trials in 4:00.18. At the1984 Summer Olympics, held inLos Angeles, California, she finished sixth in800 m and eighth in1500 m.[1] She finished seventh in 1500 m at the1995 World Championships in Athletics inGothenburg, Sweden at age 38.
In 1997, Wysocki set severalMasters records at distances from 800 m – 5000 m on the track, and 5k and 8k road races. Her 800 meters and 1500 meters were ratified asAmerican W40 records on December 5, 2020, more than 23 years after the performances.[4] Her father, Willis Kleinsasser, was also a successful Masters athlete. Her brother, Alan Kleinsasser, ran 1:50.5 for 800 m and 3:52.2 for 1500 m, both school records atCaltech.
Ruth is married to Tom Wysocki, who qualified for the1980 Summer Olympics that were held in Moscow, as the alternate on the10,000 m team, though the United States boycotted that competition.[5]
| Distance | Time | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 880 y | 2:10.7 | 1974 (High School) |
| 400 m | 56.8 | 1975 (College) |
| 800 m | 2:06.80 | 1978 (College) |
| 1500 m | 4:18.9 | 1978 (College) |
| 440 y | 55.0 | 1975 |
| 800 m | 1:58.65 | 1984 |
| 1000 m | 2:38.36 | 1995 |
| 1500 m | 4:00.18 | 1984 |
| Mile | 4:21.78 | 1984 |
| 2000 m | 5:40.09 | 1984 |
| 3000 m | 8:52.91 | 1987 |
| 5000m | 16:37.22 | 1985 |
| 800 m | 2:03.95 | 1997 (masters) |
| 1000 m | 2:40.42 | 1997 (masters) |
| 1500 m | 4:08.69 | 1997 (masters) |
| 5000 m | 16:37.22 | 1997 (masters) |
