Spencerport plans memorial for prominent track star
Charlie McMullen, Class of '69, ran both sub 4-minute mile, 2:15 marathon

Spencerport Central School District is planning to create a memorial garden at its new high school all-weather track in honor of its world-class runner, Charlie McMullen, Class of 1969, who died August 4, 2003, following a battle with cancer.

"To this day, Charlie remains one of the best student-athletes we've ever had at Spencerport," said John Pelin, district athletic director. "He was truly world-class, both on and off the track."

The district is seeking donations from friends and classmates of McMullen's for the project, which is scheduled to be dedicated on Friday, April 30, prior to the Spencerport Boys and Girls Invitational. The garden will consist of plantings, a plaque and a stone walk.

McMullen was a New York State cross-country champion in his senior year at Spencerport and went on to run for SUNY Agricultural and Technical College at Cobleskill. He then received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Missouri. He achieved NCAA All-American honors in cross country, indoor and outdoor track at Missouri where he ran a world-class 3:56 mile. In 1974, he was a member of the Indoor NCAA Championship Distance Medley Relay team. He continued to expand his interest in running, achieving a 2 hour-15 minute time in the marathon, becoming one of only 15 runners worldwide to achieve both a sub 4-minute mile and 2:15 marathon.

He returned to Rochester after college and became a top Masters runner, holding the Masters world record for the two-mile event. He taught at Frederick Douglass Middle School in Rochester for 18 years. He also was involved in Special Olympics and received its lifetime service award in 2002.

Donations may be sent to: Charlie McMullen Memorial Fund, c/o Spencerport Central Schools, 71 Lyell Avenue, Spencerport, NY 14559; Attn: Rick Wood, district treasurer. For information, contact John Pelin, 349-5170.