Thure Johansson (athlete)

Thure Johansson (Oct 16, 1888 – June 21, 1970) was a Swedish long-distance runner who is credited by the International Association of Athletics Federations for setting a world's best of 2:40:34 in the marathon on August 31, 1909.[1] Johansson's record was reportedly set on a 368-meter indoor track at the Idrottsparken Velodrome Marathon in Stockholm, Sweden.[2]

For the wrestler, see Thure Johansson (wrestler).

Competing against American Jim Crowley and Canadian Hans Holmer at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City, Johansson broke Dorando Pietri's indoor record for the marathon on March 1, 1910 (2:36:55.2).[3] [nb 1] As of May 2010, the Association of Road Racing Statisticians notes that Johansson's mark still stands as the sixth fastest time on an indoor track.[4] The following month, Johansson soundly defeated Crowley in a match race at Celtic Park in New York City.[6]

Johansson was trained and managed by Swedish-born Ernie Hjertberg, coach of the Irish American Athletic Club and a prior US track and field champion.[3][5][7][8][9]

Notes
  1. Available sources reveal a number of inconsistencies in the claim that it was Peitri's mark that was bested by Johansson on March 1, 1910 or that Johansson mark was truly a record-setting performance. The New York Times reported that Johansson broke Peitri's mark of 2:44:20.4 which was set on November 28, 1908;[3] however, data provided by the Association of Road Racing Statistician indicates three faster times (including Charlie Gardiner's 2:37:01.4 on December 18, 1909) were recorded in the interim leading up to the Crowley/Holmer/Johansson race.[4] Two days after their initial report, The New York Times published that there was "considerable discussion" that the race distance may have been short due to how the course was measured.[5] The Association of Road Racing Statisticians does not indicate any irregularity with the distance or performance, and the International Association of Athletics Federations would not have reported Johansson's March 1, 1910 performance as a previous world best because it was set as a professional.[1]

References
  1. "12th IAAF World Championships In Athletics: IAAF Statistics Handbook. Berlin 2009" (PDF). Monte Carlo: IAAF Media & Public Relations Department. 2009. p. 565. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  2. "Men's World Record Times - 1906 to 1912".
  3. "Swede's Marathon Makes New Record; Thure Johansen Wins Sensational Race From Crowley and Hobner.", The New York Times, p. 10, March 2, 1910, retrieved May 11, 2010
  4. "Untitled".
  5. "Young Britt Beats Ty Cobb.; Dorando Challenges Johansen.", The New York Times, p. 10, March 4, 1910, retrieved May 12, 2010
  6. "Johanson Easily Defeats Crowley; Finishes Nearly Two and a Half Miles in Front -- His Opponent Completely Exhausted.", The New York Times, p. 6, April 25, 1910, retrieved May 12, 2010
  7. USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions - Men's 3,000 m Steeplechase Archived 2011-06-10 at the Wayback Machine
  8. USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions - Men's 5,000 m Archived 2008-10-04 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Encyclopedia of ethnicity and sports in the United States by George B. Kirsch, Othello Harris, Claire Elaine Nolte.
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