The 1959 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships were organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and served as the national championships in indoor track and field for the United States.
The men's edition was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, and it took place February 21. The women's meet was held separately at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C., taking place January 24.
At the men's championships, five world records were set including a mark of 4:02.5 in the indoor mile by Ron Delany. 15,789 spectators attended the men's edition.
After two exhibition races the prior year, it was the first time that the women's 440 yards and 880 yards were contested, and the first time that any distance longer than 220 yards was added.
Medal summary
Men 60 yards Paul Winder 6.1 600 yards Josh Culbreath 1:11.1 1000 yards 2:12.6 Arnold Sowell Mile run 4:02.5 3 miles Bill Dellinger 13:37.0 60 yards hurdles Elias Gilbert 7.3 High jump John Thomas 2.16 m Pole vault Don Bragg 4.60 m Long jump Mike Herman 7.64 m Shot put Parry O'Brien 18.94 m Weight throw Bob Backus 20.18 m 1 mile walk John Humcke 6:42.2
Women 50 yards Wilma Rudolph 6.2 100 yards Martha Hudson 11.4 220 yards Lucinda Williams 26.6 440 yards Lillian Greene 63.4 880 yards Harriet Douthitt 2:36.3 70 yards hurdles Jo Ann Terry 9.7 High jump Ann Marie Flynn 1.54 m Standing long jump Jo Ann Terry 2.71 m Shot put Marjorie Larney 12.07 m Basketball throw Amelia Wood
References
Results
Notes