By Michael Newman, ILXCTF.com Editor

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One of the tougher doubles in the setup of the Illinois state meet is the 800 Meter Run and then coming back to compete in the 1600 Meter Run. Winning a state championship is tough. Winning both events, like Jake Gillum of Metamora did in May, is nearly impossible. Gillum was the first athlete to complete the double win since Peter Callahan accomplished that in 2009.

Gillum finished fourth in the 1600 Meter Run after helping his team finish third in the 3200 Meter Relay in 2016. His focus this year was on the two individual races hoping for this rare feat in Charleston. He completed the double in three meets heading into the sectional meet at Macomb. In that race, he won the 800 Meter Run but finished second to Normal University’s Jared Schruckman as both runners came across the line in 4:13.

Gillum took the lead in the final 200-meters of the 800 Meter Run at Charleston holding off Sycamore’s Ryan Jacobs to win his first state championship. He was back on the track 90 minutes later to complete his double. Gillum pulled away in the final 400-meters to defeat a good field including Schuckman and Sterling’s Jacob Gebhardt to run 4:14.28 for the win.

Brayden Hamblen of Rock Falls had a good spring season that including winning his second state championship in the 3200 Meter Run. Hamblen tried the 2000 Meter Steeplechase at the Midwest Distance Classic where he ran 6:13 to finish second. He lowered his personal best the next week at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals where he ran 6:08.37 to finish ninth.

Jacob Gebhardt had a good conclusion to his junior season as he ran 4:10.09 to finish fifth in the 1 Mile Run at the Festival of Miles. He also ran a personal best of 9:18.11 in the 3200 Meter Run at the Midwest Distance Classic.

You do not see a runner win the 800/1600 double in any meet. Completing it running four races in a little more than 24 hours makes this feat ever more incredible.

Congratulations to Jake Gillum of Metamora High School as the 2017 ILXCTF.com 2A Boys Distance Events Athlete of the Year.