Harold A. Wilson

Harold Allan Wilson ( born January 21, 1885 in Horncastle, † 1916) was a British middle-distance runner, who was active at the beginning of the 20th century. He fell in the First World War.

The only 1,62 m tall and 52 kg athlete competed for the Hallamshire Harriers and for the Irish American Athletic Club.

Career

Harold Wilson's greatest successes dated to the year 1908.

• At the British Olympic trials he remained as first runner of the earth more than 1500 m below four minutes. Since World Record lists have not yet been performed at the time, had his time of 3:59,8 min only unofficial character ( first official 1500 m world record holder Abel Kiviat is in 3:55,8 min, postally used 1912 ).
• He won the British National Championship in the mile run in 4:20,2 min. This period brought him No. 1 on the annual global leaderboard.
• He won two medals at the 1908 Olympic Games in London. Over 1500 meters he won the lead in 4:11,4 min, beating the famous Frenchman Jean Bouin, who resigned so, since only the winner moved in advance to the final. In the final he improved to 4:03,6 min, but did not manage to connect with Americans Mel Sheppard and won with two -tenths behind the silver medal ahead of compatriot Norman Hallows (Bronze in 4:04,0 min).
• In the three-mile team run Wilson came in fifth -placed behind three compatriots ( the victory for the British team secured ) and the American John Eisele not in the standings.

After the games, Wilson went to the USA where he took several more times against Sheppard during the outdoor season in 1909. In the same year he turned professional.

As personal bests are given for Harold Wilson: