Kenneth May’s first foray into running was in the fifth grade, when he would race to catch the bus home. Those after-school sprints translated into success as a middle distance runner.
May won ILH and state titles in the 800- and 1,600-meter run as a sophomore. As a junior, he helped the 4×400-meter relay team win ILH and state races that same year, when he was also awarded the McEldowney- Matthias Memorial Award and was the Punahou Relays Most Outstanding Athlete.
As a senior, he won the state individual title in cross country and the ILH and state titles in the 1,600-meter run and was also named the C. Dudley Pratt Award winner. His 800-meter dash time of 1 minute, 53.6 seconds, set as a senior, is a school record that still stands today.
May ran indoor and outdoor track at Dartmouth for three seasons, and was an All-Ivy selection as a sophomore.