Posted: Jul 24, 2013
Covert Features:
http://www.dailybulletin.com/breakingnews/ci_23718678/antelope-valley-coach-mark-covert-ends-16-437
http://www.fullertontitans.com/sports/c-xc/2012-13/releases/20120901mej411
http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9475682/endurance-sports-california-runner-end-45-year-daily-streak
FULLERTON, Calif. - After recording an impressive streak of running at least one mile per day for the last 45 years, Cal State Fullerton alumnus Mark Covert concluded his remarkable run Tuesday at Marauder Stadium on the campus of Antelope Valley College in front of friends, family, and supporters.
Covert, who won the NCAA College Division, now known as Division II, individual championship in 1970, started the feat on July 23, 1968. The streak lasted 16,437 days, covered more than 151,000 miles, and set an American record for most consecutive days running at least a mile. Covert's streak is logged as the second longest running streak in the world behind Great Britain's Ron Hill (48 years), according to United States Running Streak Association and Streak Runners International.
After helping the Titans to an NCAA team title in 1971, Covert went on to run in the U.S. Olympic marathon trials in 1972 and later he became the first runner to cross a cross-country meet finish line wearing the famous waffle iron Nike shoes.
After helping the Titans to an NCAA team title in 1971, Covert went on to run in the U.S. Olympic marathon trials in 1972 and later he became the first runner to cross a cross-country meet finish line wearing the famous waffle iron Nike shoes.
During his running career, Covert earned All-American status seven times. He graduated from Burbank High School in 1968, received his bachelor's degree at Cal State Fullerton in 1973, and earned his master's degree from Cal Lutheran University in 1979.
For the past 23 years, he has been the track and field coach at Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, Calif. Prior to his time at Antelope Valley College, he had previous coaching stints at Glendale College (1974), L.A. Valley College (1976-83) and L.A. Trade Tech (1983-85).
Covert has been enshrined in the Mt. San Antonio College Cross Country, L.A. Valley College, NCAA Div. II Cross Country and Nike Halls of Fame. In 2012, the Titan's renamed their season-opening meet in honor of him to the Mark Covert Classic, which takes place annually at Carbon Canyon Park in Brea, Calif.