| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's Athletics | ||
Competitor for  New Zealand |
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| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1960 Rome | 5000 metres |
| Commonwealth Games | ||
| Gold | 1958 Cardiff | 3 miles |
| Gold | 1962 Perth | 3 miles |
Sir Murray Gordon Halberg, ONZ, MBE (born 7 July 1933 in Eketahuna) is a former New Zealand middle distance runner.
A rugby player in his youth, Halberg suffered a severe injury during a game, leaving his left arm crippled. The next year, he took up running, seemingly being only more motivated by his handicap.
In 1951, Murray met a man called Arthur Lydiard, who became his coach. Lydiard had been a famous long-distance runner, and he had very new ideas on the training of athletes.
Three years later, Halberg broke through, winning his first national title on the senior level, and being allowed to compete in the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games - placing fifth in the mile. In 1956, when the Olympics were held in Melbourne, Australia, he placed eleventh in the 1500 metres.
In 1958, Halberg became New Zealand Sportsman of the Year. He won this award not only because he became the first sub four-minute miler from New Zealand, but also because of his gold medal in the three miles at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. For the 1960 Rome Olympics, Halberg focused more on the longer distances, entering in the 5000 and 10000 m. On the same day countryman Peter Snell was victorious in the 800 m, Halberg won the 5000 m gold. He later also placed fifth in the 10,000 m.
The following year, Halberg set four new world records, all in events over imperial distances. After carrying the flag at the opening ceremonies, Halberg successfully defended his three mile title at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. He closed out his running career at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, finishing seventh in the 10,000 m.
Sir Murray was made an MBE in 1961, and knighted in 1988. In the June 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours, Halberg was appointed to New Zealand's highest non titular honour, the Order of New Zealand. The following month he became only the fourth person to be awarded the Blake Medal, named after fellow countryman Sir Peter Blake, for his more than 50 years' service to athletics, and to children with disabilities. In 1963 he set up The Halberg Trust, which supports children with disabilities to be active in sport, creation and leisure. For many years the Halberg Trust has managed the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year Award which is now called the Westpac Halberg Awards.
Bibliography
- A Clean Pair Of Heels: The Murray Halberg Story by Murray Halberg, with Garth Gilmour
External links
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
Preceded by Pyotr Bolotnikov |
Men's 5.000m Best Year Performance 1961 – 1962 |
Succeeded by Pyotr Bolotnikov |
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