Juan Muguerza

Juan Muguerza was a talented Spanish track and field athlete who ran in middle and long-distance races. In 1917 the first edition of the Spanish athletics championships was held with Muguerza, then only 17-years-old, winning both the 1,500 metres and 5,000 metres. He went on to dominate in both distances at the national championships, winning four more titles in the 1,500 metres (1918–21), and three titles in the 5,000 metres (1918–19, 1921). Muguerza also won the 800 metres title in 1918 and 1921, in addition to setting Spanish records in the 1,500, 3,000, and 5,000 metres during his career.

Muguerza ran in the 1,500 metres and the 5,000 metres at the 1920 Antwerpen Olympics but did not progress from the heats in either race. He was also scheduled to run in the cross-country race in Antwerpen but did not start the race. The following year he was called up to fight in the Rif War in North Africa, marking an end to his athletics career. Muguerza was killed in May 1937 during the bombing of the town of Munguía in the Spanish Civil War. In 1943 the Juan Muguerza Cross-Country running race was created in his honour, with the event being held each January in the town of Elgoibar.

Personal Bests: 1500 – 4:18.0 (1919); 5000 – 16:13.8 (1918).