Ken McArthur

Ken McArthur (actually: Kennedy Kane McArthur, born February 10, 1881 in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, † June 13, 1960 in Potchefstroom ) was a South African marathon runner and Olympic champion.

McArthur, whose first name is often erroneously given as Kenneth, was discovered in his youth as a promising athlete. In 1901 he emigrated to South Africa.

The marathon at the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912 took place over high heat; Portugal's Francisco Lazaro died of a heat stroke. McArthur and his compatriot Christopher Gitsham ran together and quickly took the lead. Confident of victory, stopped Gitsham to drink, and expected that his colleague joined as agreed. Instead McArthur ran on, increased his lead and crossed the finish line 58 seconds ahead of Gitsham.

In the next season, McArthur injured in an accident on foot and was forced to retire from athletics. Overall, he ran six marathons in his career and finished all victorious.