Edgar Bruun

From 1936 to 1955 Edgar Bruun dominated the sport of racewalking in Norway, winning more than 20 titles and setting multiple world records in distances from 3,000 metres to 50 kilometres. Bruun specialised in the longer distance, which saw him compete at international competitions either side of World War II. He was selected to compete in the 50 km racewalk at the 1936 Berlin Olympics where he finished fifth. Two years later he won bronze at the 1938 European Athletics Championships in Paris before the outbreak of war put a temporary halt on his athletics career.

After the war Bruun competed in the 50 kilometres walk at the 1946 European Championships but was disqualified during the race. In 1948 he made his second appearance at the Olympics, narrowly missing out on a medal when he came fourth at the London Games. Four years later he made his third and final Olympic appearance, but finished a disappointing 17th at the Oslo Games. Bruun’s final major competition came at the 1954 European Championships in Bern where he finished ninth.

Personal Best: 50kmW – 4-26:41 (1936).