One of the best track geeks I know is Walt Murphy. In his #ThisDayinTrack&FieldHistory service, he shares fascinating geek stories about our sport. You can access this service for FREE with a complimentary one-month trial subscription! (Email: WaltMurphy44@gmail.com ) for the full daily service. Starting from February 1, 2024, we will present several historic moments each day.
By Walt Murphy’s News and Results Service (wmurphy25@aol.com), used with permission
This Day in Track & Field–October 28
1966—Gaston Roelants of Belgium achieved World Records for 20,000 meters (58:06.2) and 20,664 meters in the hour-run in Leuven, Belgium. Ron Clarke of Australia set the previous record a year earlier with 59:22.8/20,332 meters.
Check out the previous record holders here: https://www.worldathletics.org/news/feature/one-hour-run-world-record-history
1973—The first all-women’s marathon took place in Waldniel, West Germany, and was won by Christa Vahlensieck in 2:59:25.6.
The success of this race laid the foundation for the first Women’s International Marathon Championship, sponsored by Dr. Ernst Van Aaken in the same town the following October. Forty women from seven countries participated in the event. Despite this, the organizers of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games had not seriously considered introducing a women’s marathon. Excerpted from Olympic Marathon by Charlie Lovett.
Find out more about women’s marathon history from former World Record holder Jaqi Hansen here: https://www.jacquelinehansen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/M+B-xx-16-1w_pix-Hansen.pdf
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