Man in a Hurry

All week Don Bowden, University of California junior, was pressed for time. Every night he was up late cramming for final exams. The few afternoons he was not in the classroom he raced to the practice field to keep in shape for the Pacific A.A.U. track meet. Then he rushed right back to his studies. By the time he finished taking his last test (economics), he was worn out. But he managed to get to Stockton in time for the mile run.

There was not a man in the race who could push Don along, but he took off like a late commuter trying to catch the 8:32. He finished 60 yds. in front of his nearest competitor. The dockers caught him in 3:58.7. He was the first American ever to break four minutes.

Slim (6 ft. 3 in., 160 Ibs.) Don Bowden had finally outpaced his luck. When he was a sophomore, a heel injury held him back; illness kept him from placing in the 1,500-meter run at the Olympics. Fortnight ago studies kept him from running with the four visiting four-minute milers in the Los Angeles Coliseum (TIME, June 3). But last week, he said, he knew he was ready. At 20, he sees no reason why he cannot eventually break John Landy's 3:58 world's record--but not this season. "I have very few good miles a year in my system," said Don Bowden, "and I think I have run my share this year."

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