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Quiz about Long Distance Running Legends
Quiz about Long Distance Running Legends

Long Distance Running Legends Trivia Quiz


In the long run, only a few are remembered.

A multiple-choice quiz by gunstone. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
gunstone
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
90,969
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
719
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. What "Flying Finn" was known to never smile, although he collected 9 Olympic gold medals and set 29 world records in the inter-war years?

Answer: ( Two words, or just surname)
Question 2 of 10
2. A pioneer of women's long distance running, she won the New York Marathon nine times between 1978 and 1988. In 1983 she became the first T&F world champion ever when she won the marathon race. Her name is:

Answer: (Last name or both (5+5))
Question 3 of 10
3. This Australian broke the 10,000 meters world record by more than half a minute in 1965, and also held the record in the 5,000 m through the late 1960s and into the 1970s. Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The 1960 Olympic marathon was won by a bare-footed Ethiopian who four years later became the first man to repeat such a victory. Who was he? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What Finn was the last of this nation's long distance legends, winning the Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 meters in 1972 as well as in 1976? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Who became the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal at a long distance (5,000/10,000/marathon)? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. From the mid-80s and until she had to retire with injury in 1991, women's marathon was dominated by a tiny Portuguese. Her name was:

Answer: (Two Words or just surname. Four letters + four letters ... or just surname)
Question 8 of 10
8. He died at 24 in 1975, having left his mark on long distance running in America forever. In Oregon, a race carrying his name is held every year. And his name is _________ ?

Answer: ( Two words, or just surname ... the surname is French)
Question 9 of 10
9. Who is the Czech runner who forged his legend in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics?

Answer: ( Two words, or just surname)
Question 10 of 10
10. What African entirely dominated the two longest track events in the second half of the 1990s? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What "Flying Finn" was known to never smile, although he collected 9 Olympic gold medals and set 29 world records in the inter-war years?

Answer: Nurmi

Paavo Nurmi's Olympic achievements spanned three Games (1920-24-28). In 1932 he was declared a professional and banned from entering. In 1952 he brought the Olympic torch into the stadium at the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in Helsinki, creating a thunder amongst the home audience who recognised his stride, and causing the athletes to break rank in order to get a glimpse of the legend.
2. A pioneer of women's long distance running, she won the New York Marathon nine times between 1978 and 1988. In 1983 she became the first T&F world champion ever when she won the marathon race. Her name is:

Answer: Grete Waitz

The marathon was the very first event of the very first World Championships of T&F, held in Helsinki. Grete Waitz started out as a middle distance runner under her maiden name Andersen, before converting to marathon and cross country.
3. This Australian broke the 10,000 meters world record by more than half a minute in 1965, and also held the record in the 5,000 m through the late 1960s and into the 1970s.

Answer: Ronald Clarke

Steadfast speed was Clarke's skill over tactical ability. In the Olympics, in spite of his superior stamina, he only got a bronze medal (1964, 10,000 meters).
4. The 1960 Olympic marathon was won by a bare-footed Ethiopian who four years later became the first man to repeat such a victory. Who was he?

Answer: Abebe Bikila

Algerian-born Frenchman Mimoun won the 1956 marathon, when Ethiopian Wolde made his Olympic debut as a not too promising middle distance runner. By 1968, however, Wolde had converted to the marathon, which he won. Temu, of Kenya, won the 1968 10,000 meters.
5. What Finn was the last of this nation's long distance legends, winning the Olympic 5,000 and 10,000 meters in 1972 as well as in 1976?

Answer: Lasse Virén

Kolehmainen: a hero of another time, Olympic marathon winner in 1920. Maaninka and Vainio were strong runners around 1980. Finnish feats of the 1970s and 1980s are, however, in T&F as in skiing, marred by allegations and confessions of blood manipulation. Vainio was caught.
6. Who became the first African woman to win an Olympic gold medal at a long distance (5,000/10,000/marathon)?

Answer: Derartu Tulu

Tulu, a black Ethiopian, won the 1992 10,000 meters ahead of Meyer, a white South African. They ran the victory lap together.
7. From the mid-80s and until she had to retire with injury in 1991, women's marathon was dominated by a tiny Portuguese. Her name was:

Answer: Rosa Mota

Among Mota's victories were the 1988 Olympics, the 1987 World Championship, and 3 European Championships. She also won major races such as Boston, London, and Chicago.
8. He died at 24 in 1975, having left his mark on long distance running in America forever. In Oregon, a race carrying his name is held every year. And his name is _________ ?

Answer: Steve Prefontaine

Internationally, Steve Prefontaine got a 4th place in the 1972 Olympics 5,000 meters. In his day he held all American records from the 2,000 up to the 10,000 m. "Pre's people", his devoted fans, was a rare kind of followers to have for a runner.
9. Who is the Czech runner who forged his legend in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics?

Answer: Emil Zatopek

Emil Zatopek won the 1948 10,000 meters. Four years later he repeated this accomplishment while also winning the 5,000 and the marathon. On the day he won the 5,000, his wife Dana (Zatopkova) won the javelin contest. Zatopek was unbeaten in 38 consecutive races at the 10,000 m between 1948 and 1954.
10. What African entirely dominated the two longest track events in the second half of the 1990s?

Answer: Haile Gebrselassie

Gebrselassie, of Ethiopia, set his first world record in 1994. He won the Olympic 10,000 meters in '96 and '00, and has collected even more world championship titles. His domination is built on the unique combination of high-speed endurance and a devastating last-lap sprint. Morocco's El Guerrouj was been the world's leading 1,500 meters from the mid to late 1990s.
Source: Author gunstone

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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