Cliff Bricker

Cliff Bricker had a rapid rise to the top becoming one of the best Canadian long-distance runners of his day. Bricker began his career in 1923, initially running in both long and short distance events before eventually specialising in the marathon. In the 5 miles he set a Canadian record in 1925 before becoming the Canadian champion in the distance the following year. In 1927 he finished fourth in the Boston Marathon, more than 20 minutes behind the winning time set by Clarence DeMar. A month later he had his revenge, beating DeMar to win the Buffalo Marathon in 2-40:05 and a Canadian amateur record. Later that year Bricker became the Canadian marathon champion, earning himself a place on the Olympic team for the 1928 Amsterdam Games. At the Olympics he maintained a good pace running in third throughout the race, but ultimately dropped down the field to finish tenth. Despite this he set a personal best time and a Canadian record with 2-39:04.

Bricker approached each race as a battle against the clock, rather than his opponents. With this method he broke the Canadian record in the 10,000 metres at the Canadian Olympic trials ahead of the 1932 Los Angeles Games. He went on to finish eighth in the event at the Olympics, as well as placing 12th in the marathon. Bricker was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Personal Bests: 10000 – 31:42.0 (1932); Mar – 2-39:24 (1928).