One of the premiere milers of the 1930s, Glenn Cunningham was born on August 4, 1909 in Atlanta, Kansas. His family later settled in Elkhart, Kansas.​

Overcoming severe childhood burns to his legs, he set several world records in the mile run and 800 meters. He ran the 1500-meter in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics, placing fourth and second. During his career, he won six Big-Six mile titles, two NCAA titles and ten AAU national titles.

Cunningham attended the University of Kansas, and then pursued his master’s and doctorate degrees in physical education at the University of Iowa and New York University.

While serving in the Navy during World War II, he established physical training programs for the service. He also spent time encouraging burn victims.

Several years after retiring from running, Glenn moved to Butler County near Augusta, where he ran the Cunningham Youth Ranch, affecting the lives of thousands of underprivileged children. He died March 10, 1988.

Receiving the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the U.S. in 1933, he also was a charter inductee to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.