CHICO, Calif. – Chico State distance runner Scott Bauhs has wowed the United States distance running community with his efforts over the last couple of years. Saturday night, he took full advantage of a rare opportunity to wow the community of Chico. Bauhs broke the Chico State record and became 308th American to run a mile in under four minutes in front of an estimated 2,400 fans at University Stadium in a thrilling test of his dynamic abilities.
Bauhs, who specializes in longer distances (He claimed the 10,000-meter national title and then finished second in the 5,000-meters on the track last May.) crossed the line in 3:59.81. The crowd, which stood and chanted "CHICO! CHICO! CHICO!" throughout the race, waited in suspense to hear the official time and then erupted in applause upon hearing the news seconds later.
"All those people, that was just amazing. I really think I would have given up if not for the people cheering for me," Bauhs told the Chico Enterprise-Record. "I would have let it go, maybe tried it another time. But they all got me into it. This is right up there with the best. I'll never forget it. This is as proud as I've been since the 10k."
In the process of breaking the four-minute mark, Bauhs also broke Kim Ellison's 37-year-old Chico State mile record of 4:01.
Complete results of the two-day Chico Distance Carnival and Twilight Invitational
