Ben Eastman

Ben Eastman (actually Benjamin Bangs Eastman, born July 9, 1911 in Burlingame, California, † October 6, 2002 in Hotchkiss, Colorado) was an American sprinter and middle-distance runner, who in the 30s of the 20th century about 400 m and 800 m was successful. He once won Olympic silver and ran multiple world record, which earned him the nickname Blazin 'Ben.

Achievements

His first contest he competed in 1931 when he was at the IC4A champion over 880 yards. He repeated this success the following year. In 1933 he was the third time winner at the IC4A, but this time over 800 m. In 1934, he was the AAU champion American on this route.

On March 26, 1932 in Palo Alto Eastman ran 46.4 s world record over 400 m. He improved so that the four -year-old record of his compatriot Spencer Emerson by 0.6 seconds.

On June 4, 1932 Eastman get two world records:

• Over 440 yards in 46.4 seconds ( this record should be more than 40 years, have stock) and
• Over 880 yard in 1:50,9 min (by which he improved the world record of the German Otto Peltzer 0.7 sec )

At the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, he started only in the individual competition. He won in 46.4 s silver behind Bill Carr, who ran s world record with 46.2.

1933 get him in the hall two world records rarely spilled routes:

• 500 m in 1:02,0 min and
• 600 yard in 1:09,2 min

On 16 June 1934 he presented at Princeton with 1:49,8 min held by the British Tommy Hampson world record over 800 m a.

At the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, he was unable to participate in fifth place of U.S. excretions.

The 1.85 m tall and 72 kg heavy runners competed for Stanford University.

Later career

Eastman worked as a clerk in a diesel engine manufacturer. Later he started his own business. After ending his playing career, he moved with his family to Colorado. He was a farmer and operated a apple plantation. He was for 12 years a member of the Commission of Agriculture.

With 91 years he died of pneumonia. He left three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. In 2006 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Association of Athletics Federations (USA Track & Field).