- Ron Clarke
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For other people of the same name, see Ronald Clarke (disambiguation).
Councillor
Ron Clarke MBEMayor of the Gold Coast Incumbent Assumed office
25 March 2004Deputy Daphne McDonald Preceded by Gary Baildon Personal details Born 21 February 1937 Political party Independent Spouse(s) Helen Clarke Profession Athlete Ronald William "Ron" Clarke, MBE (born 21 February 1937 in Victoria) is a former Australian athlete, writer, and current Mayor of the Gold Coast. He is one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s, notable for setting seventeen world records.
Contents
Early life and family
He attended Melbourne High School. His brother Jack Clarke and father Tom played Australian rules football in the Victorian Football League with Essendon.[1]
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.
Athletic career
Medal record Competitor for Australia 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 During the 1960s 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 despite training in the Alps to get acclimated to high altitudes at Mexico City, this could not put him on par with opponents from African countries, whom had always run at high altitude. Clarke finished in sixth place, but remembered nothing of the last lap. He sufficiently recovered to compete in the 5,000 meter heats a few days later.
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 Michel Jazy's world record by 3 seconds, running an 8:19.8 and then an 8:19.6.
Political career
He was elected Mayor of the Gold Coast, Queensland in 2004, defeating the incumbent Gary Baildon. Clarke and his wife, Helen, first came to the Gold Coast for a holiday in 1957. The couple returned almost every year thereafter, and in 1995, after 14 years abroad mainly in Europe, came back for good.[1] As mayor, Clarke hopes to ensure the continuation of development and the infrastructure of the city, such as roads, transport, education and medical needs.[2]
Awards and recognition
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 15 March 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.
See also
- Olympic medalists in athletics
- Mayor of the Gold Coast
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
References
- ^ Gold Coast City Council. "Mayor Cr Ron Clarke MBE". http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=346.
- ^ Gold Coast City Council. "Mayor Cr Ron Clarke MBE". http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_standard2.aspx?pid=346.
Records Preceded by
Pyotr BolotnikovMen's 10,000 m World Record Holder
18 December 1963 – 3 September 1972Succeeded by
Lasse VirénAwards and achievements Preceded by
Peter SnellTrack & Field Athlete of the Year
1965Succeeded by
Jim RyunSporting positions Preceded by
Kipchoge KeinoMen's 5000 m Best Year Performance
1966 – 1968Succeeded by
Dick TaylorOlympic Games Preceded by
Paavo Nurmi and Hannes KolehmainenFinal Summer Olympic Torchbearer
with Hans Wikne
Melbourne 1956Succeeded by
Giancarlo Peris
Australian National Champions in Men's 5000 m 1930 – 1965: 3 miles • 1966 – 2008: 5000 metres1930: George Hyde • 1932: Alex Hillhouse • 1934: Fred Colman • 1936: Jack Sheaves • 1937: Walter Weightman • 1947: George Campbell • 1948 – 1949: Neville McDonald • 1950 – 1953: Les Perry • 1954: Geoff Warren • 1955: Dave Stephens • 1956: John Landy • 1957 – 1959: Albie Thomas • 1960 – 1962: Dave Power • 1963: Trevor Vincent • 1964: Bill Baillie (NZL) • 1965 – 1969: Ron Clarke • 1970: Tony Manning • 1971: Kerry O'Brien • 1972: Tony Benson • 1973: Tony Williams • 1974: David Fitzsimons • 1975: Andrew Hill • 1976: Graham Crouch • 1977 – 1979: David Fitzsimons • 1980 – 1982: Steve Austin • 1983 – 1984: Zephaniah Ncube (ZIM) • 1985: Andrew Lloyd • 1986: Malcolm Norwood • 1987: Gerard Barrett • 1988: Andrew Lloyd • 1989: Phil Clode (NZL) • 1990: Simon Doyle • 1991: Rod Higgins • 1992: Andrew Lloyd • 1993: Peter O'Donoghue • 1994: Julian Paynter • 1995: Daniel Komen (KEN) • 1996: David Kibet (KEN) • 1997: Paul Bitok (KEN) • 1998: Shaun Creighton • 1999: Benjamin Maiyo (KEN) • 2000: Michael Power • 2001: James Getanda (KEN) • 2002: Stephen Cherono (KEN) • 2003: Daniel Komen (KEN) • 2004 – 2008: Craig Mottram • 2009: Collis Birmingham
Categories:- 1937 births
- Living people
- Australian sportsperson–politicians
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1964 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1968 Summer Olympics
- Australian middle distance runners
- Australian long-distance runners
- Former world record holders in athletics (track and field)
- Olympic athletes of Australia
- Olympic bronze medalists for Australia
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia
- Commonwealth Games competitors for Australia
- People from Victoria (Australia)
- Mayors of places in Queensland
- People educated at Melbourne High School (Victoria)
- Olympic medalists in athletics (track and field)
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