Mike Ott was an early addition to the KU noon running group, later called "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," after the group began in the early 1970s. Phil Montgomery recalls that Mike joined the group after beating Jim Brewer in a half-mile run at at intramural track meet at Memorial Stadium in 1973 or 1974. Mike was a member of the fine arts department and a fine artist himself, known in particular for his shirts on hangers paintings.

Mike also was one of the finest runners in our group. He is at or near the top of our age-adjusted all-time list at distances ranging from the 5K (third) to the marathon (also third), and he ranks number 1 at the half-marathon, 15K, 12K, 10K, 5 miles, and 4 miles. His times included 2:42 for the marathon, 1:14 for the half, and 32:37 for 10K, all of which times he ran in his mid- to late 30s. In one of his last races, he ran 23:00 for 4 miles (age 50) at the Kansas City Trolley Run.

More information on Mike's running is available at the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s tabs under the Races link. More information about Mike and his work is also available at this link. This is a new page, and I welcome anything you may have to provide a fuller picture of him. -- Dick Lipsey.