Sydney Maree

Who is Sydney Maree?

Sydney Maree is a former middle distance runner who competed at the international level in the 1980s. He was born in Cullinan, South Africa, but later became a U.S. citizen, running for the United States in the 5000 meters at the 1987 IAAF World Championships in Athletics and 1988 Olympic Games. He attended Villanova University where he was NCAA All American in cross country, two time NCAA champion in the 1500 meters and once in the 5000 meters.

Maree's greatest success came in August 1983 when he broke Steve Ovett's world record over 1500 m at a meeting in Cologne. Maree clocked 3:31.24 min. Two years later, Maree broke the 3:30 min-barrier when he set a new US record of 3:29.77 min. However, this was not a world record as a few weeks before Steve Cram and Saïd Aouita had already run 3:29.67 and 3:29.71 min respectively. Maree was an excellent 5000 m runner, as well. In Oslo in 1985 he set a new US record at 13:01.15 min. finishing just behind Aouita who set a world record.

Maree's personal bests include the aforementioned 3:29.77 for the 1500 meters, 3:48.83 for the mile, 4:54.20 in the 2000 meters, 7:33.37 for 3000 meters, and the previously mentioned AR of 13:01.15 in the 5000 meters. He also won the inaugural Fifth Avenue Mile in 1981 with 3:47.52, which remains the course record.