Bruce MacDonald

A distance walker for the New York AC, Bruce MacDonald was AAU champion over 10 km. in 1958-59 and at 15 km. in 1959. MacDonald attended college at NYU (New York University) where he was a hurdler. He wanted to compete in an all-around event, which includes walking, and received walking advice from Olympian Henry Laskau. MacDonald eventually focused his attention on race walking, appearing in three Olympics. He later became a teacher and coach, serving as head coach of track & field and cross-country at Schreiber High School from 1957-2002, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1995. He also taught at Hofstra University and at the Graduate Center for Safety Education at NYU.

MacDonald became an IAAF judge, and served as an umpire at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In addition, he coached countless world and national class race walkers. He was considered a pioneer and mentor in the USA race walking community. In 2010, he was the first recipient of the Lori Maynard Award, given to an official for dedication to race walking as an official, organizer, and administrator. In 2002, MacDonald was honored by USATF Long Island for his lifetime contribution to race walking, noting that he had given more than 60 years of service as an athlete, coach, official, Olympian, administrator, high school, and club coach, and his service as a member of the IAAF race walking judges’ panel.

Personal Bests: 20kmW – 1-43:26 (1956); 50kmW – 4-45:11 (1960).