Kim Un-Bae

Kim Un-Bae’s talent as a long-distance runner was discovered in 1928 when he attended high school in Keijo (now Seoul). In 1931 he placed first in the marathon at the Asakuji Osamu Jingu meet. His time of 2-26:12, which was better than the actual world’s best, was never ratified because the course was unofficial and doubts were raised because it was his first marathon, but he confirmed his performance when he placed second at the Meiji Jingu Games in 2-34:58, behind only Tamao Shiwaku. At the trials for the Los Angeles Olympics Kim was runner-up behind Kwon Tae-Ha, and at the Olympics he achieved a remarkable sixth place. When the Korean newspaper Dong-a Ilbo (East Asia Daily) reported about his success, for the first time the symbol of the sun was erased from Kim’s Japanese tracksuit in protest against the Japanese occupation.

After graduating from Yangjeong High School in Keijo, Kim moved to Tokyo and entered the Faculty of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University. He was a member of Waseda’s team at the Hakone Ekiden relay in 1934 and 1935, contributing to Waseda’s 1934 overall win. After World War II, Kim lived in Korea and continued to promote marathoning. He also held administrative posts such as President of the Korean Athletics Federation and the Korean Athletics Director at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-34:58 (1931).