Mariano Haro, one in all Spain’s most interesting distance runners, has died. He was 84.
Haro, a determine of resilience, was probably the most revered and hardest Spanish distance runners within the Nineteen Sixties and Nineteen Seventies. He battled lots of the most interesting distance runners in historical past, leaving a legacy of willpower and power.
Haro competed within the Mexico Olympics (steeplechase, 9:15.93, warmth 2, was Dqed, had initially completed fifth) in 1968. In 1972, Mariano Haro competed within the 10,000m, ending 4th in one of many most interesting 25 lappers in Olympic historical past. Mariano Haro was one of many oldest within the area, at 32. Mariano pulled out of the 5,000m, specializing in the ten,000m. In 1976, in Montreal, Mariano Haro completed sixth on the ripe previous age of 36.
And bear in mind, up till 1992, the Olympic 10,000m had heats!
Mariano Haro set Spanish data in every part from the 1,500m to the hour run! The truth is, Haro’s hour run (20,493 meters, or 12 miles, 1,261.41 yards) remains to be the Spanish document! His PBs embrace 7:51.6 for 3,000 meters, 8:37.2 for the steeplechase, 13:36.4h for five,000m, 27:48.14, and 1;35.25 for 35 kilometers (street).
From 1972 to 1975, Mariano Haro was runner-up on the Cross de Nations, which preceded the World Cross Nation Championships.
Mariano Haro received 27 nationwide championships, 11 in cross nation, 9 at 10,000 meters, 5 on the 5,000 meters, one on the steeplechase and one on the roads (bear in mind his 35k famous above?, Mariano was thought-about one of many pioneers of Spanish Lengthy distance working).
Right here’s how Actual Madrid introduced his demise:
Actual Madrid CF, its president and Board of Administrators are deeply saddened to study of the passing of Mariano Haro, a real legend of athletics and Spanish sport.
“Actual Madrid extends its condolences and assist to all of its household and family members.
Mariano Haro was one of many nice pioneers of Spanish athletics. He was topped champion of Spain on 27 events and was a four-time runner-up on the world cross nation championships. On the Munich Olympic Video games in 1972, he took 4th place within the 10,000 meters.
Mariano Haro has handed away at 84 years of age. Spanish sport regrets his loss. Might I relaxation in peace.”
It is a video compilation from RTVE, the Spanish tv station:
Rendimos homenaje a Mariano Haro, todo un ídolo y ejemplo del atletismo español 👟
En 2013, recordamos parte de su trayectoria en este ‘Conexión Classic’ de @PacoGrandeTVE 📺 con testimonios como el de Alejandro Blanco (@COE_Presidente)https://t.co/wEzgcSpQgm pic.twitter.com/f8lB3t5pAD
— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) July 27, 2024
In my travels, I recall a narrative from Ian Stewart, 1970 Commonwealth Video games champion at 5,000m, 1971 European champ at 5,000 meters and Olympic bronze medalist on the 5,000m in Munich 1972. Ian advised me about racing Mariano Haro in cross nation: “Each time I raced in Spain and Portugal in cross nation, I raced in opposition to Haro. He was all the time robust. I all the time knew that, with 800 meters to go, we had been going to battle to the ultimate steps.”
What better honor is there than to be complimented by your rivals? (Stewart additionally received the World Cross Nation in 1975 after successful the European 3000m (he had received in 1973).
Mariano Haro retired after the Montreal 1976 Olympics, the place he positioned sixth within the 10,000m. He had deliberate on competing within the marathon, however that didn’t come to be.
After his athletics profession (Haro retired at 36 after the Montreal Olympics), Mariano Haro went into politics, the place he grew to become the mayor of his house city, Palencia.
‘El León de Becerril’ will probably be missed, not just for his racing and his management in sports activities, however his drive and focus.
Right here’s a hyperlink on Mariano Haro’s racing historical past, courtesy of World Athletics: https://worldathletics.org/athletes/spain/mariano-haro-14354715
