RIP: Kiwi Murray Halberg Passes -- Inspiring Runner and Great Dude Dies at 89

Very sad news. His drive for the finish to win Gold in 1960 is one of the great moves in Olympic history.

This documentary is worth watching:

https://vimeo.com/244136994

Off the track, the first Kiwi sub-4 miler may have made an even bigger impact with his "his inspirational work in transforming the lives of children with a disability through sport as the founder of the Halberg Foundation."

rnz.co.nz

Athletics legend Sir Murray Halberg dies

New Zealand athletics legend Sir Murray Halberg has died aged 89.

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nzherald.co.nz

'One in a billion': Friend and teammate remembers Sir Murray Halberg

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It was Sir Murray Halberg’s mind that made him “beyond human”, according to Barry Magee.

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nzherald.co.nz

'A true champion': Sir Murray Halberg dies aged 89

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Halberg was best known for winning the 5000m gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

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RIP Sir Murray. A Clean Pair of Heels

I have always admired him. He did have some talent but he definitely worked for it.

I always think of him with that left arm when coaches and parents seem to feel that all of the problems in a race can be solved by going to your arms.

Possibly one of the last of the Cerutty inspired/trained athletes?

Coached by Lydiard. Apparently, Lydiard said he was his favorite athlete:

his memory eternal..

I bought the book, A Clean Pair of Heels, had to get it shipped from NZ.. fascinating reading, he was a remarkable man.

He was one of Lydiard's boys.

When I attempted to rank the top-100 middle and long distance runners since 1945 a couple years ago I placed Halberg at #37. The Olympic gold was his crowning career achievement, but he was far from a one hit wonder.

37. Murray Halberg - The 1960 Olympic 5k champ was ranked number one in the world at that event 5 times (‘58, ‘60-‘63). He won 3 mile titles at the ‘58 and ‘62 Commonwealth Games. He set the 2 mile WR in ‘61 (8:30.0). When he clocked his 13:35.2 5k PB in ‘61 it was the 2nd fastest 5k all-time and just two-tenths off Vladimir Kuts’s WR. He ran 3:57.5 for the mile in 1958, in the race in which Herb Elliott lowered the WR from 3:57.2 to 3:54.5. He had good range up to 10k, running within 20 seconds of the WR multiple times in his career.

He was my childhood hero. My grandmother bought a Clean Pair of Heels for me from Track and Field News. I named my cocker spaniel Murray. He had a spinal infirmity, but was a great and loving dog. RIP.

I know Lydiard was considered Murrays coach, but I'm sure that Murray went to Australia to live and train with Percy on at least 2 occasions. Maybe one of the old kiwis on here knows.

When I was eight years old my dad took me to the Angell Field track at Stanford to watch an all-comers meet at which Hallberg, Snell, and Baillie ran en route to the 1962 Empire Games (chronicled in Snell's "No Bugles,No Drums"). After his race Murray was chatting with some folks near where I was standing; he took a step back, stepped on my foot, and said "Oh excuse me, lad." Even at that age I knew he was the Olympic champion and I thought "I'll never wash that foot again." I have washed that foot many times since but have never forgotten that Murray Hallberg stepped on it.

I'm old and not a Kiwi but I do know the story. In the mid 50s, Halberg, Bill Baillie, and Bill Rodger, all Lydiard athletes, went for a sort of working holiday in Oz. They did various odd jobs and did do some training with Cerutty who tried to claim them as "his" athletes. None of them agreed. Halberg was clear that he was always a Lydiard athlete.

Most of these old 50s milers are living well beyond average lifespan of about 80.

In about 10 years we can start counting how many of them cross the 100 mark. I think it will be way more than normal and spark serious study of CV fitness and longevity.

No he didn't. Not that this is an overly controversial take or anything, it's just not correct.

Yes - I'm not sure that even Percy had the audacity to claim them as his athletes but as part of the "Kiwi vs Aussie rivalry" he liked to try and needle Lydiard by suggesting that his advice/limited training with his athletes in Portsea was the true reason for their success. Honestly though it was banter more than anything serious.