.jpg) Halberg in 2008 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Murray Gordon Halberg (1933-07-07)7 July 1933 Eketāhuna, New Zealand |
| Died | 30 November 2022(2022-11-30) (aged 89) Auckland, New Zealand |
| Sport | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sport | Track and field |
| Coached by | Bert Payne Arthur Lydiard |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personalbest(s) | 1 mile: 3:57.5 (1958) 2 miles: 8:30.0 WR (1961) 3 miles: 13.10.0 WR (1961) 5000 m: 13:35.2 (1961) 10,000 m: 28:33.0 (1964) 4 x 1 mile relay: 16.23.8 WR (1961) (withGary Philpott,Barry Magee &Peter Snell) |
Medal record | |
Sir Murray Gordon HalbergONZ MBE (7 July 1933 – 30 November 2022) was a New Zealandmiddle-distance runner who won the gold medal in the 5000 metres event at the1960 Olympics. He also won gold medals in the 3 miles events at the 1958 and 1962 Commonwealth Games. He worked for the welfare of children with disabilities since he founded the Halberg Trust in 1963.
Born inEketāhuna on 7 July 1933,[1] Halberg later moved toŌwairaka inAuckland,[2] and attendedAvondale College. He was arugby player in his youth, but suffered a severe injury during a game,[3] leaving his left arm withered. The next year, he took up running, seemingly being only more motivated by his disability. In 1951, he metArthur Lydiard, who became his coach. Lydiard had been a famous long-distance runner, and had new ideas on the training of athletes. Three years later, Halberg broke through, winning his first national title on the senior level.
At the1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games he placed fifth in the mile. At the1956 Olympics inMelbourne, Australia, he placed eleventh in the 1500 metres. Halberg won thegold medal in the three miles at the1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and later the same year became the first subfour-minute miler from New Zealand. He won theNew Zealand Sportsman of the Year for 1958.
For the1960 Rome Olympics, Halberg focused on the longer distances, entering in the 5000 and 10000 m. Halberg won the5000 m gold, on the same day countrymanPeter Snell was victorious in the 800 m. Halberg later placed fifth in the10,000 m.
The following year, Halberg set fourworld records in events over imperial distances. After carrying the flag at the opening ceremonies, Halberg successfully defended histhree-mile title at the1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. He closed out his running career at the1964 Summer Olympics inTokyo, finishing seventh in the 10,000 m.
In the1961 New Year Honours, Halberg was appointed aMember of the Order of the British Empire, for services to athletics.[4] In the1988 New Year Honours, he was appointed aKnight Bachelor, for services to sport and crippled children.[5] In the2008 Queen's Birthday Honours, Halberg was appointed to theOrder of New Zealand.[6] The following month he became only the fourth person to be awarded the Blake Medal, named after fellow countrymanSir Peter Blake, for his more than 50 years' service to athletics, and to children with disabilities.[3] In 1963 he set up The Halberg Trust, which supports children with disabilities to be active in sport, creation and leisure. The organisation rebranded in 2012 to become the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation. For many years the organisation has managed the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year Award, which is now called theHalberg Awards.
Halberg House ofHutt International Boys' School is named after Sir Murray Halberg,[7] and students in the house earn what are called "meter points" which relates to Sir Murray Halberg and his running career.Tauranga Boys' College also named a house after Sir Murray Halberg.[8] Halberg Crescent, in theHamilton suburb ofChartwell, is named in Halberg's honour.[9]
Halberg died in Auckland on 30 November 2022, at the age of 89.[10][11]
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Men's 5000 m best year performance 1961–1962 | Succeeded by |
| Awards | ||
| New award | Lonsdale Cup of theNew Zealand Olympic Committee 1961 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Leadership Award 2011 | Succeeded by |
Commonwealth Games champions in men's5000 metres | |
|---|---|
| 3 miles (1930–1966) | |
| 5000 metres (1970–present) |
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| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
