George Bonhag

George Bonhag of the Irish-American AC won seven AAU indoor titles, but a national outdoor championship always eluded him. However, at the 1906 Olympics, disappointed with his fifth place in the 1,500 m after leading entering the home stretch, Bonhag decided to enter the 1,500 m walk at the last moment. This was the first walking race in which Bonhag had ever competed, and after several better-known walkers had been disqualified, George Bonhag won the race and was crowned the first Olympic walking champion. At the 1908 Games, he finished sixth in the three mile team race and was the second scoring individual for the United States’ second place team. Four years later, in Stockholm, he placed fifth individually in the 3,000 m team event when the U.S won the Olympic title. Bonhag also competed in 1912 Olympic Baseball demonstration event.

Personal Bests: 1 mile – 4:22.4i (1910); 2 miles – 9:20.8i (1911); 5000 – 15:05.8i (1912); 6 miles – 30:42.0i (1909).