It’s Ted Nelson Day in Faribault

On April 12 Mayor John Jasinski signed a proclamation declaring Thursday, April 21, 2016, "Ted Nelson Day."

Nelson will be here for the dedication of the Faribault High School track named in his honor, and many of his family members and friends are expected to be in attendance.

The Faribault Chamber Expo is also today at the Faribault Ice Arena, so the area of Bruce Smith Field will be bustling with activity.

The dedication is scheduled between 4-4:15PM right before an eight-team boys and nine-team girls varsity track meet hosted by the Falcons.

The proclamation lists all the particulars, noting Theodore "Ted" Nelson won the state championship in the 880-yard run for the Faribault High School track team in 1956.

Nelson went on to have a stellar career after graduating from Faribault High School in 1956. He won the NAIA 800-meter championships for Mankato State in 1958 and 1960 then went in the military and captured the All-Service Championship in the 1,500-meter run in 1964.

That's not all.

He was the 1,000-yard indoor national champion in 1965 and 1966, running his personal best in the 800-meter in 1966 with a time of 1:46.2.

The most impressive fact about Nelson's track prowess is he was the first Minnesotan and the 20th American to break the four-minute mile: August 10, 1966, he ran the mile in 3:59.4

The Faribault Booster Club has spearheaded the effort to name the track around Bruce Smith Field as Ted Nelson Track, and the Faribault public schools were happy to oblige.

After hanging up the competitive running shoes, Nelson spent 30 years on the Los Angeles Fire Department and now lives in Santa Monica, California.

Other teams competing in Thursday's meet at Ted Nelson Track will be Cannon Falls, Legacy Christian Academy, Maranatha Christian Academy, Rochester John Marshall, Southwest, St. Clair and Waconia on the boys side.

Northfield joins the girls meet with the other teams listed.

The dedication was a long time overdue.

Nelson was honored by Mankato State in 2004 and they have a meet there called the "Ted Nelson Classic."

Admission for the meet is $7 for adults and $4 for seniors/students.