Horst Astroth

Horst Astroth, who placed 16th in the 1960 Olympic 50 km walk, and eighth at the 1962 Europeans, was later a seven-time record holder in East Germany in different senior classes. In the age groups +35 and +40 his best performances were in the 10 km track walk, and the 20 km and 50 km road walk. As a trainer, he also built up a young group of walkers in the 1970s at the Naumburg BSG, while he was still actively competing for the club. He never managed to win an East German championship, but was runner-up in 1956, 1958 and 1959 over 50 km.

Astroth became a freelancer writer for the local Liberal Democratic newspaper. After German reunification he became a member of the Liberal Party FDP in Germany.

Personal Best: 50kmW – 4-24:21 (1963).