Harold Whitlock
Encyclopedia
Hector Harold Whitlock (December 16, 1903 – December 27, 1985) was a British
athlete who competed mainly in the 50 kilometre walk.
Whitlock won his first national title in 1933. Two years later, he set a new world record
for a 30-mile walk, finishing in 4 hours, 29 minutes, 31.8 seconds. In the same year, he also became the first recorded man to walk between London
and Brighton
in under eight hours.
His main achievement came in 1936, where he won the gold medal in the 50 kilometre walk at the Summer Olympics
held in Berlin
, Germany
, finishing in a time of 4 hours, 30 minutes, 41.4 seconds. He gained this victory despite being affected by sickness about 38 kilometres into the race. This sickness, apparently food-related, also affected his fellow British competitors T. Lloyd Johnson and J. Hopkins.
He continued to represent Britain at an international level until 1952, when he came 11th at the Helsinki Olympics. Competing at the age of 48, he was Britain's oldest ever international athlete.
After this, Whitlock continued as a coach and judge. Notably, he coached Don Thompson
, who won gold in the 50 kilometre walking event at the 1960 Olympics
.
He died on 27 December 1985 at the age of 82.
In 2011, he was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame
.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
athlete who competed mainly in the 50 kilometre walk.
Whitlock won his first national title in 1933. Two years later, he set a new world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
for a 30-mile walk, finishing in 4 hours, 29 minutes, 31.8 seconds. In the same year, he also became the first recorded man to walk between London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
in under eight hours.
His main achievement came in 1936, where he won the gold medal in the 50 kilometre walk at the Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 1936 Summer Olympics
At the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, 29 athletics events were contested, 23 for men and 6 for women. The program of events was unchanged from the previous Games. There was a total of 776 participants from 43 countries competing.-Medal table:...
held in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, finishing in a time of 4 hours, 30 minutes, 41.4 seconds. He gained this victory despite being affected by sickness about 38 kilometres into the race. This sickness, apparently food-related, also affected his fellow British competitors T. Lloyd Johnson and J. Hopkins.
He continued to represent Britain at an international level until 1952, when he came 11th at the Helsinki Olympics. Competing at the age of 48, he was Britain's oldest ever international athlete.
After this, Whitlock continued as a coach and judge. Notably, he coached Don Thompson
Don Thompson
Donald Thompson, Donald Thomson, Don Thompson or Don Thomson may refer to:-Sports personalities:* Don Thompson , American player for the Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1926...
, who won gold in the 50 kilometre walking event at the 1960 Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
.
He died on 27 December 1985 at the age of 82.
In 2011, he was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame
England Athletics Hall of Fame
The England Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in 2008 with a panel of experts selecting a list of potential inductees for athletics fans and members of the public to vote on. The Hall of Fame honours those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of athletics in England...
.