Abel Richard Kiviat (June 23, 1892 – August 24, 1991) was an American track coach, press agent, and highly accomplished middle-distance runner.
[6] A track star by his Senior year in High School, he was recruited to join the accomplished Irish American Athletic Club in Queens, New York, by their coach Lawson Robertson, who would be both an American Olympic medalist and Olympic Track coach.
[3][5] In 1908, at Travers Island, he won the Junior Championship for one mile for the Metropolitan District, making the fast time of 4:24.
In the same year, he won the Baxter Cup in the Columbia University races at Madison Square Garden, making the fast time of 4:23 2–5.
In the same year, he set the world record for 1500 meters three times in 15 days; during the third effort, Harvard stadium was sold out with 15,000 in attendance – referenced in "The Milers" by Cordner Nelson.
[16] The Abel R. Kiviat Memorial race is held annually at his alma mater, Curtis High School, in Staten Island, New York.