Millrose AA was instrumental in the invention and evolution of today’s sport of long distance road running. It was both the NYPC and Millrose that laid the foundation for the success enjoyed today by NYRR. This fact will be documented throughout this timeline by Dr. Pam Chenkin and myself.
The Wanamaker Millrose Story includes a championship baseball team and a famous indoor track meet that started in 1908. Millrose has a great history of producing Olympians and national champions. Here we’ll highlight the runners who were teammates and competitors to Joseph Kleinerman (1912-2003).
Before Joe Kleinerman there was Albert Richard “Whitey” Michelsen (1893 – 1964)
World Record holder in the marathon set in 1925 2:29:01. He was the first runner to break 2:30 in the marathon.
A two-time Olympic marathoner in 1928 Amsterdam and 1932 Los Angles.
Eino Pentti (1906-1993)
Two-time Olympic 10,000 meters runner in 1932 and 1936 Germany in the 10,000 meters.
National Champion at 6 miles in 1934, 1937 and 1938, 25K 1934 and 15K in 1940.
He held the 10,000-meter American record at 30:54.6 in 1938.
Louis “Doc” Gregory (1902 – 1989)
1932 Olympian at 10,000 meters.
A winner of 16 national championships across various distances.
He placed 2nd and 4th respectively at the Boston Marathon in 1942 (2:28:03) and 1946 (2:37:23).
Lou placed 2nd at Yonkers in 1940 behind Canadian Gerald Cote.
He was a three time winner of the historic Berwick Marathon (9+miles) in 1931, 1939, and 1941.
Inducted into the RRCA Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1972.
Pat Dengis (1902 – 1939)
His life was shortened due to a plane crash.
He captured three national championships at the marathon in 1935, 1938, and 1939.
He placed second at Boston in both 1935 and 1938.
Pat held the leading marathon time in the world in 1938 with a clocking of 2:30:26.6.
Upcoming Profiles:
Part 2: Late 1940s & 1950s
Victor J. “Vic” Dyrgall (1917 – 2006)
Bill Welsh (1929 – 2023)
Part 3: 1960s
Gary Muhrcke (1940)
Jim McDonagh (1924 – 2008)
John Garlepp (1937 – 2024)
Notes:
RRCA Hall of Fame – 1972
Boston Marathon by Tom Derderian
The Wanamaker Millrose Story 1908 – 1967
Berwick Enterprise – 1941
Gary Corbitt
Archivist: Theodore Corbitt Institute
August 11, 2026