ST. CLAIRSVILLE — In 1979, Greg Miller of Rayland, became the youngest person ever to run in the Ogden 20K Classic Race. Now, 27 years later, Miller will lace up once again and tackle the 12.4-mile challenge.

With controversy surrounding Miller’s first 12.4-mile run, a new policy requiring entrants to be age 12 or over to participate was established the following year.

“Because of him they changed the rules,” Linda Miller, Greg’s mother said.

“We had several calls, and commentary on the news and radio saying ‘how much brains do these parents have to allow him to run?”’

While the fact that a 5-year-old could run such a long distance bothered many, the Miller family made up of Jim and Linda Miller and their three young sons at the time — Jim Jr., Jerry and Greg — made sure Greg was physically capable to endure the 12.4-mile test.

“Before the race we took him to the family doctor and had him take a physical,” Linda Miller said. “They said he is in good shape. Let him run as long as no one is forcing him — let the boy run.”

And Miller did just that. He completed the grueling course in 2 hours and 30 minutes making him the youngest runner to ever cross the finish line.

“We weren’t worried about his health,” said Jim Miller, father. “We knew he could do it. We just had him supervised by his older brother.”

The Miller family began running in March 1978. Greg Miller, wanted to “follow in his brothers footsteps.” With sports being a focus in the Miller household, Greg Miller always wanted to join in despite his young age.

“He would always get upset because he wanted to go run with his dad and his brothers,” said Linda Miller. “One day my husband took him and he wouldn’t stop. He ran in the house, he ran everywhere. It was hard to keep up with him.”

Before the race, Greg Miller ran nearly 20, 6-mile races throughout the year. He ran an estimated 25 to 30 miles a week since March of that year in order to prepare himself for the event.

“We trained on hills,” said Jim Miller. “We ran 9 miles a lot. The supervision and distractions of a 5 year old are what we worried about the most.”

Greg Miller’s run in the 1979 race has faded in his own memory. He only remembers running up and coming down Wheeling Hill, wheelchair racers “flying down past him” and ambulance personnel trying to stop him at the top of 29th Street Hill.

However, his mother said the race is something she will never forget.

“One memory I can remember is when he came running down the first hill and it was raining, I thought he is going to get his shoes wet,” said Linda Miller. “It was unbelievable. It’s a huge race to most people. It was very much an experience ... one that you remember years and years to come.”

After the 1979 race, Greg Miller went on to participate in numerous area road races. In high school, he took up track after breaking his collar bone in a baseball game. Because of his injury, Greg Miller got right back on track, receiving a track scholarship to Wheeling Jesuit University, where he once again boasted another successful record, running in the 400-meter dash at the NCAA National Championships – he notes being one of the biggest accomplish in his life.

When Greg Miller lines up to run his second 20K Classic Saturday morning he will have the guidance of older brother Jerry, the same brother who helped him complete 12-miles at age 5.

“I’ve been running off and on my whole life,” said Greg Miller. “Running has always been a thing we have done. Consistently, maybe not, but we ran on and off. I probably have about 60 -70 trophies from running when I was a kid.”

Greg Miller resides in St. Clairsville with his wife, Shana and their 21/2 year old son, Brendan. He is employed by Union Local High School as a teacher and cross-country coach.