Gabe Jennings

Gabe Jennings (born January 25, 1979, in Forks of Salmon, California) is an American Olympian and semi-retired middle-distance runner.

[7][10][11][8] Jennings, the elder of two siblings, was born on January 25, 1979, to two teachers in the rural community Forks of Salmon, California.

[2][1][5][9] Jennings attended Madison East High School, where he ran cross country and played football his freshman year before focusing on running.

[14][12][10] He played the piano, drums, harpsichord, didgeridoo, and berimbau and was known for engaging track and field audiences in "impromptu jam sessions" after meets.

[27] During his senior year, Jennings again won the individual state title in cross country but finished 27 of 32 at the Foot Locker Championships due to a side stitch.

[citation needed] In 1999, he won the Vancouver Henry Jerome Classic 1500 meters in 3:40:41 and later competed with the USA Track & Field middle distance development crew in Europe.

During his trip, he suffered from dysentry and severe hepatitis A and was forced to convalesce for a month at his parents' home in Mendocino after nearly succumbing to liver failure.

[2][4][17][15] In 2004, after recovering, he trained in Kenya with distance runners, including the Dutch Olympic team, and at some point lived in British Columbia to become a rock climber.

[4][17] In 2006, he finished fourth (3:39.42) at the IAAF World Cup 1500 meters and trailed winner Bernard Lagat in the 1500 at the USATF Championships.

While living there, he became both a volunteer assistant coach at South Eugene High School and a legislative researcher for the Lane County Commissioner.