Johannes Runge

Johannes Runge started playing football (soccer) in 1895, and then became the first major German middle-distance runner, starting sometimes under the pseudonyms “Walter” or “Isge.” He later was a sports official, serving as first assessor from 1906-08 and then deputy president of the German Sports Association for Athletics (DSBfA) from 1910-13, and he was its president from 1913 until December 1919. In 1913 he participated at the inaugural meeting of the IAAF in Berlin and was a member of IAAF Committees, in 1913-14 as Chairman of the Committee of Preparation for the Amateur Regulations, and from 1914-20 as Committee on Competition and Amateur Regulations. Runge was awarded the IAAF Veteran needle in 1930.

In 1928 at Amsterdam, Runge led the German modern pentathlon team and he was a member of the Organizing Committee at the 1936 Berlin Games. He also worked as a football referee and wrote several athletics textbooks. Runge died from a heart attack in 1949 on the day of the founding of the German Athletics Association DLV.

As a student he was not permitted to compete at the 1900 Paris Olympics, but was then nominated for the 1904 St. Louis Games by the DRAfOS as a distance runner. As a teacher and civil servant Runge did not seek permission to start by his employers until the ship had left port headed for New York, for which he was severely reprimanded. He then participated in the 400, 800 and 1,500, placing fifth in the 800 and 1,500. At the 1906 Athina Olympic Games he again started in the 400 and 800, and competed in the long jump.

Personal Bests: 400 – 51.2 (1906); 800 – 1:57.1e (1904); 1500 – 4:09.0e (1904); LJ – 6.70 (1906).