Hal Beasley

In the early 1900s Hal Beasley was a rising star in track sprinting in British Colombia. Beasley was 14-years-old when he began his running career, having early success in winning the one-mile YMCA road race in 1905. By 1909 he had won the all-round championship of the Victoria public schools and the junior championship of Canada at a meet in Winnipeg. The following year he made his senior début where he won the British Colombia championship, including doing the double in the 100 and 220 yards. He then won the 100 yards at the 1911 British Colombia championship in ten seconds flat.

With his excellent performances in 1912 Beasley earned himself a place on the Canadian Olympic team for the Stockholm Games. While he did not advance from his heats in the 100 and 200 metres, he did reach the semi-finals of the 4 × 100 metres relay. On his way home from the Olympics he ran in several races in northern Europe, including ones in Germany, the Netherlands, and Wales, winning a 120 yard dash at the latter. Back in Canada he continued to have success, including equalling the national record in the 100 yards in 1913. Beasley ran at exhibition events up and down the West Coast, including races in Vancouver and San Francisco. He initially retired from athletics in 1915 before making a brief comeback in 1919.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.8 (1913); 200 – 22.3y (1912).