When 16-year-old Billee Pat Connolly stepped up to the start line of the 800-meter  race at the 1960 U.S. women’s Olympic Track and Field Trials, she had no idea she  would become a part of history in what has now become known as "The Abilene  800," the event that opened the door for women to run longer distances. Connolly went on to become a three-time Olympian, a renowned track and field coach, who coached Evelyn Ashford and Allyson Felix to their own Olympic berths.