Ron Clarke

For other people of the same name, see Ronald Clarke (disambiguation).

Ron Clarke MBE
Mayor of the Gold Coast
In office 25 March 2004 (2004-03-25) – 27 February 2012 (2012-02-27)
Deputy	Daphne McDonald
Preceded by	Gary Baildon
Personal details
Born	(1937-02-21) 21 February 1937
Political party	Independent
Spouse(s)	Helen Clarke
Occupation	Athlete

Ronald William "Ron" Clarke, MBE (born 21 February 1937 in Victoria) is a former Australian athlete, writer, and Mayor of the Gold Coast from 2004 to 2012. He is one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s, notable for setting seventeen world records.

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

Ron Clarke

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 grueling 10,000 m race final. He suffered permanent heart damage from this event, as despite training in the Alps to get acclimatised to high altitudes at Mexico City, this could not put him on par with opponents from African countries, who 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). On 10 July, at London's White City Stadium, he became the first man to run 3 miles in under 13 minutes, lowering the world record to 12:52.4. Four days later, in Oslo, he lowered his own 10,000m world record by 36.2 seconds to 27:39.4, becoming the first man to break the 28 minute barrier.

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. As mayor, Clarke hopes to ensure the continuation of development and the infrastructure of the city, such as roads, transport, education and medical needs.

Clarke resigned as Mayor of the Gold Coast on 27 February 2012, when he announced his nomination to run as an independent candidate for the seat of Broadwater in the 2012 Queensland state election.

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.

Emil Zatopek had great admiration for Ron Clarke. In 1966 he invited the Australian to Czechoslovakia, and as a parting gift he gave him his 1952 Olympic 10,000 m gold medal with the following words: “Not out of friendship but because you deserve it.”

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

Records
Preceded by Pyotr Bolotnikov	Men's 10,000 m World Record Holder 18 December 1963 – 3 September 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 Kipchoge Keino	Men's 5000 m Best Year Performance 1966–1968	Succeeded by Dick Taylor
Olympic Games
Preceded by Paavo Nurmi and Hannes Kolehmainen	Final Summer Olympic Torchbearer with Hans Wikne Melbourne 1956	Succeeded by Giancarlo Peris
Political offices
Preceded by Gary Baildon	Mayor of the Gold Coast 2004–2012	Succeeded by