Pacific Association

Kelley Tames Kezar

Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, CA, May 4, 1929

The Pacific Association held its regional U.S. championships at the start of May in San Francisco. The chosen venue was Kezar Stadium, on the edge of Golden Gate Park, where Paavo Nurmi and Ville Ritola had competed in 1925.

Kimball Dyer made a leap of 7.55 meters (24-9¼) from the oak plank. This jump earned him second place on the world list, although he ranked only eighth based on merit. Some doubts surrounded this mark, as record-keepers had noted wind readings for the 100-yard results on the same day at Kezar. The athlete was not seen in either the U.S. general or collegiate championships that year.

Amsterdam’s 20th place finisher Bob Kelley hopped 14.97 meters (49-1¼) in triple jump, enough to place third on the world list. The 15-meter marks from Japan's Mikio Oda and Chuhei Nambu were yet to be reached. Kelley maintained his form throughout the season, eventually winning the U.S. championship.

Discus world record holder Eric Krenz launched the disc to a “mere” 46.43 meters (152-4) on this occasion.

Results