Photo by Kelly Hutsell

Charlie Gruber, KU alumnus and Olympic athlete, will participate in this weekend’s Kansas Relays. He said it was a thrill to represent his country on his sport’s biggest stage.

After graduating from the University of Kansas, it’s acceptable for some students to move back home. Some get internships. For cross country runner Charlie Gruber, graduation meant it was time to compete in the Olympic games.

Gruber graduated in 2002 after leaving his mark on the record books. He won the mile at the Kansas Relays four times and was the national collegiate cross country champion. Along with credentials, Gruber’s personality warrants more than just respect.

“Charlie’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,” Kansas Relays director Tim Weaver said.

Gruber will compete in the Gold Zone at this weekend’s Kansas Relays. The Gold Zone will feature Olympic champions and world record holders. Before then, Gruber will visit Central Junior High School students.

Eight months ago he was on the USA Olympic team in Athens. Gruber became the first athlete under coach Stanley Redwine to represent the United States at the Olympic games.

“I didn’t run as well as I have wanted to,” Gruber said. “But it’s a pretty meaningful experience to represent your country on sport’s biggest stage. It’s felt neat to be on a team bigger than just athletics —different countries, and being around the village with people from literally all parts of the world.”

Life after the Olympic games has been more calm, but it won’t be for long. Gruber plans to compete in the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, and then marry his fiancée.

“I was working on my base in the fall, with longer distances,” Gruber said. “Now me and my coach are trying to transition towards more speed or track-oriented type of things.”

One of Gruber’s goals is to break Jim Ryun’s record and become the fastest Kansas alumnus to run the 1500 meter race. Ryun’s time of 3:33.1 still stands in the top ten men’s 1,500 meter race times in history. Gruber ran a 3:34.7 last year. Gruber’s training partner, Benson Chesang, and teammate Jeremy Mims broke two of Ryun’s long-standing records earlier this year. Chesang broke Ryun’s 3,000 meter run time, and Mims broke Ryun’s 800 meter run time.

“I’m happy to see younger guys making their own tradition. Not only embrace old KU tradition but also writing our own,” Gruber said.

Gruber said he also planned to break the four-minute mile on Saturday.

“I’m just going to go out and focus on winning the race,” Gruber said. “When I focus on winning and competing I tend to do better and run faster. There will be high enough competition that if you win you should run under four minutes.”

Competing in the Gold Zone on Saturday won’t be a big departure from home for Gruber. He still trains in Lawrence with Redwine and other KU athletes.

The Denver native said it was good to compete in Memorial Stadium.

“I still consider it my home track,” he said. “It’s neat to come back with the old teammates and the alumni, and previous generations of the Jayhawk track family. It’s just so fun to be around the new generation as well.”

Gruber jumped on the Gold Zone bandwagon with more than 30 other Olympic athletes. He said the Gold Zone concept was unique for fans and athletes.

“It will be one of their few chances to see the best athletes in the world, and one of the few times they’ll be in Lawrence.”

John Scheirman