Kyle Perry is incredibly fast. He runs two miles in the time it takes an average person to do one. It is pretty easy to spot him running around town. Every morning he goes out for a quick run with his shirt off and short shorts on. His tall, slender and pale body streaks down University Avenue as people drive by yelling and honking their horns, but that does not slow him down.

“You can say what you want, but my running is paying for my tuition,” Perry said in his commonly sarcastic tone. “I’ll run in short shorts anywhere you want for $2,000 a semester.”

Perry has built a name for himself over the past few years in the collegiate track community. He is currently ranked nationally in the top 50 in three different track events, including third in the steeplechase and eighth in the 5,000 meters.

The four-time All-American hopes to capture the national title in the steeplechase on June 10 at the NCAA Finals in Fayetteville, Ark.  

Perry’s running career has been full of ups and downs. It is his positive attitude and ability to fight through the pain that has made him such a standout runner at BYU.

Perry started his running career at Alta High School in Utah. He was a cycling enthusiast up until his junior year, when he began running as a way to exercise during the winter. His friends mocked him when he publicly announced he would beat the school record in the mile.

“They were always so mean to me,” Perry said. “I wanted to prove those jerks wrong and that’s what gave me the fire to start running.”

Perry trained extensively that winter and three months later beat the high school record with his time of 4:17.

Perry continued to have huge success at Alta in track and cross country. Upon graduation, Perry met BYU head coach Ed Eyestone and knew he wanted to go to BYU.

Perry, however, struggled his first semester with his grades and running. As he prepared to leave to serve a full-time mission, Perry was unsure if he would return to compete in track.

 “When I left I said ‘I just don’t think I can handle this,’” Perry said. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to run when I got back.”

After serving a two-year mission in Cherry Hill, N.J., Perry ran into Aaron Robison, son of track head coach Mark Robison. Robison convinced Perry to train and compete again.

Perry joined the track team for his freshman season and went on to compete in nationals and receive his first All-American award.

Sadly, Perry’s luck faded the next season when he sprained his ankle the following winter. Perry tried to fight through the pain but was forced to undergo emergency surgery the day before the MWC finals. He missed regionals and was unable to compete in nationals.

 “I had heard stories of guys who ran really well when they were young but never matched it,” Perry said. “I didn’t want to be one of those stories. It was really stressful not knowing if I would ever come back.”

After several months of recovery from his operation, Perry decided to start training again in time for his junior season. Perry began training with teammate Dustin Bybee, who had established himself as one of the great BYU distance runners. Together they decided to set a goal to beat the four-minute mark in the mile.

“That was a real turning point in my career,” Perry said. “We worked harder than I’d ever worked before and set personal records in the mile.”

Perry continues to work hard, with a rigorous training schedule. Running morning, afternoon, and evening, Perry averages 10 miles a day. When it comes to running, Perry believes it’s all about focus.

“You have to work through the pain,” Perry said. “It’s a constant battle with your brain. You have to tell yourself ‘OK, it hurts but I’m not going to let myself slow down.’”

When Perry isn’t running, he spends his time searching for wildlife with his camera.

“If I wasn’t big into running I’d probably be spending all my time in the mountains taking photos of wildlife,” he said.

Perry and Bybee traveled nearly 4,000 miles to the Arctic Ocean in search of polar bears. After graduation, Perry hopes to become a wildlife photographer and possibly move to Alaska. But for now Perry has his heart set on running.

“He’s matured an awful lot over the year,” Robison said. “We’re very pleased with his performance and expect big things from him over the next two meets.” 

Perry also hopes to continue running after college. The big prize would be competing in the 2012 Olympics.

“The Olympics are always a dream for all runners,” Perry said. “It’ll be hard but I don’t think it’s unrealistic. I have about 20 seconds to improve till I’ll reach the Olympic A standard.”

Perry acknowledges his parents’ support as a contributor to his success. They attend all of his meets and occasionally bring Perry’s grandfather, who also ran track in Colorado.

“It’s really fun to have them there,” Perry said. “It’s very encouraging and I run better when they are there.”

With only two meets left in his final year, Perry feels grateful for his time here at BYU. 

“Running here gave me an opportunity for a great education,” Perry said. “I’ve made great friends here and I’m grateful for my relationship with coach Eyestone.”



Copyright Brigham Young University 28 May 2009