Meet the Competitors: Ford Palmer

Ford Palmer | @GoFordPalmer | Men’s Mile

Ford Palmer is due. He’s not only run 4:00.00, but he’s run under 4:01 not one, not two, not three, but four times. Former Flotrack writer, Chris Chavez profiled him for ESPN this week and he’ll be prepping for the event with the NJNY Track Club and famed Coach Frank “Gags” Gagliano.

5 Things About Me: Ford Palmer

1. I’m a vegan. I changed my carnivorous diet 3 years ago. I lost 30 lbs in the process and my mile time dropped from 4:25 to 4:00.00.

2. I have never run cross country. I refused to go over 40 miles a week in college because I didn’t want to run! I did cross fit in the fall instead of cross country.

3. I played football throughout high school and I was the starting middle linebacker since my sophomore year. I was recruited to some large D1 schools to play football but veered to track because of having multiple concussions

4. I’m a beach lifeguard in the summer. I live in Upper Township, NJ which is just outside Ocean City, NJ. South Jersey takes lifeguarding very seriously both as a job and for their competitions. D1 athletes compete in lifeguard competitions throughout the summer.

5. I run for Coach Gags and the NJNYTC. Coach Gags is one of the best track coaches in history and NJNYTC is the fastest TC on the East coast. I’m so thankful they gave me a chance to practice with them let alone compete for them.

The 2014 Sir Walter Miler. Watch | Hang | Run | Support