Hall: Rick Riley

The Pasco Invitational Track Meet is honored to welcome Rick Riley—one of Washington’s greatest distance runners—into the Pasco Invitational Hall of Fame. Riley, a legendary Spokane talent, elevated high school distance running throughout the mid-tolate 1960s with a level of excellence that continues to inspire athletes today.

A proud graduate of Ferris High School and later Washington State University, Rick distinguished himself early in his career as one of the nation’s most formidable young runners. During his extraordinary high school tenure, he set both the state and national prep record in the 2-mile, stopping the clock at 8:48.3 at the 1966 Washington State High School Championships. That same year, he claimed the Pasco Invitational title in the 2-Mile (3200m) with an impressive 8:57.1. His dominance earned him back-to-back Washington State titles in 1965 and 1966—and even selection to the U.S. national team while still in high school.

Rick continued his remarkable ascent at Washington State University, where he trained alongside Spokane distance legend Gerry Lindgren. In 1970, Riley shattered barriers by winning the Pacific-8 Mile Championship in a record 3:59.2, defeating Oregon rival Roscoe Devine and becoming Spokane’s first sub-4-minute miler. His performance made him only the 32nd American ever to break the four minute mile, securing his place among the nation’s elite.

His collegiate excellence extended beyond the mile.

Rick earned AllAmerican honors in the 6-Mile (10,000m), finishing as national runner-up in 1969 and placing sixth at the national championships in 1970. His competitive resume includes races against some of the most celebrated athletes ever in American distance running—including Olympians Jim Ryun, Billy Mills, and Oregon great Steve Prefontaine, who would later become his eventual roommate.

Today, Rick continues to strengthen the sport he once dominated. Since 2014, he has coached at St. George’s School in Spokane, shaping young athletes with the same passion and commitment that defined his own career. He is a proud member of the Ferris High School, Washington State University, and St. George’s School Halls of Fame.

Please join us in celebrating Rick Riley—a national prep sensation, an American distance running pioneer, and one of Spokane’s all-time greats—as he is inducted into the Pasco Invitational Hall of Fame. 

Congratulations, Rick!