Herm Nelson

Herm Nelson was a race walker who competed in the 50 km at both the 1992 and 1996 Olympics. Nelson was a runner at Western Washington University, majoring in physics and usually competing in the steeplechase. He became a walker near the end of his college career when his college coach urged him to try race walking and in 1989 broke the American record for the track 50 km with 4-04:24. Nelson was out most of 1990 with a back injury he sustained the previous year. He won three US Championships, the 2-hour in 1993 and 1998, and the 30 km in 1997, and also won the Canadian 50 km title in 2000. Nelson attempted to make the 2000 US Olympic team, but when he missed out at the trials, he ended his competitive career. He then used his physics degree to work as a process engineer in laser optics for Mellisgriot Corporation in California.

Personal Best: 50kmW – 3-59:42 (1996).