Australian running legend, former world record holder and Olympic medallist, who was honoured with both an AO and MBE, Ron Clarke, pass away yesterday at age 78.
He is survived by his wife Helen, two sons and grandchildren.
Apart from being one of our most revered athletes, Mr Clarke was also mayor of Gold Coast City Council for eight years until 2012.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) credits Victorian-raised Mr Clarke, with 19 official world records.
Mr Clarke was a champion middle and long distance runner the 1960s, and he is one of Australia’s favourite athletes, even though he never managed to win a gold medal.
Athletics Australia records show that in 1965 Mr Clarke competed 18 times in eight countries during a 44-day tour of Europe, setting 12 world records. This time represented the peak of his career.
Mr Clarke won silver in the three-mile event at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, bronze in the 10,000-metre event at the 1964 Olympics and two silver medals in the three-mile and six-mile races at the 1966 Commonwealth Games.
Why not find out why Ron Clarke is such a beloved athlete with this footage from the Australian National Championships in 1956?
