Donald Lash

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Donald Ray Lash (born August 15, 1912 in Bluffton , Indiana , USA ; † September 19, 1994 in Terre Haute , Indiana, USA) was an American athlete who specialized in medium and long-distance running.

Early years

Donald Lash was born the third of six children to a modest working-class family in Bluffton. A short time later the family moved to Auburn. On the grandfather's farm, little Donald began to be interested in running. The local high school had no sports facility, so training was on grass.

Sports career

With little money, Donald Lash went to Indiana University Bloomington . With the support of his new trainer, Lash developed into a good middle-distance runner. Lash became US cross-country champion seven times in a row. With Indiana University's miles relay, Lash set a new world record. He was also able to improve the indoor world record over 2 miles. In a competition organized by Princeton University in June 1936 , Lash broke the 2-mile world record set by the Finn Paavo Nurmi .

Donald Lash qualified for the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin in the 5000 meter and 10,000 meter run . In both disciplines he made it to the final. He finished 13th over 5000 m and 8th place over 10,000 m. Lash wanted to prepare better for the upcoming games of 1940 and 1944, but the Second World War prevented these Olympic Games from being held.

After graduating from university, Donald Lash became a police officer. He married and continued to exercise in his spare time. In 1938 he was awarded the James E. Sullivan Award for his athletic achievements. A short time later he retired from active sports. Lash became the father of a son and resigned from the police force.

Another résumé

In 1941 Donald Lash became an FBI agent . With his help, a German spy was exposed two days before the USA entered the war. In 1962, after 21 years of service, Lash resigned from the FBI.

He was still connected to sports and especially wanted to teach children about running. To this end, he bought a piece of land in Parke County and completed a training camp for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes .

A short time later, Lash also became politically active. He was a member of the Indiana State Legislature for ten years before retiring for health reasons (heart problems). He founded a real estate agency with his wife Margaret. In 1999 he published his memoir.

On October 19, 1994, Donald Lash died of cancer. He left behind his wife and three children.

literature

  • Don Lash: The Iron Man from Indiana: the Don Lash Story - Paducah, KY: Turner Publishing Co. - 1999. ISBN 1-56311-493-3 .

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Lash, Donald
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Lash, Donald Ray (full name); Lash, Don
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American middle and long distance runner
DATE OF BIRTH August 15, 1912
PLACE OF BIRTH Bluffton , Indiana
DATE OF DEATH September 19, 1994
Place of death Terre Haute , Indiana