| Ron Clarke | |
 John Landy leaps over Ron Clarke in the 1956 Australian National Championships 1500 m final. |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Gary Baildon |
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| Born | February 21, 1937 |
| Political party | Independent |
| Profession | Athlete |
| Medal record | ||
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Competitor for  Australia |
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| Men's Athletics | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Bronze | 1964 Tokyo | 10,000 metres |
| Commonwealth Games | ||
| Silver | 1962 Perth | 3 miles |
| Silver | 1966 Kingston | 3 miles |
| Silver | 1966 Kingston | 6 miles |
| Silver | 1970 Edinburgh | 10000 metres |
Ronald ("Ron") William Clarke (born February 21, 1937 in Victoria) is a former Australian athlete, mayor and writer, and one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s. He is notable for setting seventeen world records.
He attended Melbourne High School. His brother Jack Clarke and father Tom played Australian rules football in the Victorian Football League with Essendon.
In 1956, when Clarke was still a promising 19-year-old, he was chosen to light the Olympic Flame in the stadium during the opening ceremonies of the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne.
During the 1960's Clarke won 12 Victorian track championships ranging from 1500 m to 6 miles (9.7 km).
He won the bronze medal in the 10,000 m at the 1964 Summer Olympics, but never won an Olympic gold medal. At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Clarke collapsed and nearly died from altitude sickness sustained during the gruelling 10,000 m race final. He suffered permanent heart damage from this event, as he was not conditioned to running in high altitudes as were some competitors.
In the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games he won silver in the 3 miles (4.8 km) event, and in the 1966 Games he won silver medals in the 3 miles (4.8 km) and 6 miles (9.7 km) events.
During a 44-day European tour in 1965, he competed 18 times and broke 12 world records, including the 20,000 m (12.4 miles). He lowered his own 10,000 m world record by 39 seconds to become the first man to break the 28 minute barrier, running a 27:39.4.
To win against a field of kickers, Clarke needed a fast pace throughout or a sustained surge at the end. He improved his 2-mile (3.2 km) speed in 1967 and 1968, lowering Jazy's world record by 3 seconds, running an 8:19.8 and then an 8:19.6.
In 2005 Geelong Athletics honoured Clarke with an athletics meet to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Clarke breaking the world record for the 20,000 m and one hour run at Landy Field in October 1965.This meet is held annually as part of the Athletics Australia National Meet Series.
On March 15, 2006, Ron Clarke was one of the final four runners who carried the Queen's Baton around the MCG stadium during the 2006 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
He was elected Mayor of the Gold Coast, Queensland in 2004, defeating the incumbent Gary Baildon.
External links
- http://www.goldcoastcity.com.au/t_std.asp?PID=346
- Profile on Australian Athletics
- http://www.sporting-heroes.net/athletics-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=153
- http://www.athletics.com.au/fanzone/hall_of_fame/ron_clarke
- http://www.arrs.net/AL_O2M3.htm
See also
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
Preceded by Pyotr Bolotnikov |
Men's 10.000m World Record Holder December 18, 1963 – September 3, 1972 |
Succeeded by Lasse Virén |
| Awards and achievements | ||
Preceded by Peter Snell |
Track & Field Athlete of the Year 1965 |
Succeeded by Jim Ryun |
| Sporting positions | ||
| Preceded by Paavo Nurmi and Hannes Kolehmainen Helsinki 1952 |
Final Summer Olympic Torchbearer Ron Clarke and Hans Wikne Melbourne / Stockholm 1956 |
Succeeded by Giancarlo Peris Rome 1960 |
Preceded by Kipchoge Keino |
Men's 5.000m Best Year Performance 1966 – 1968 |
Succeeded by Dick Taylor |
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