Ilmari Kuokka

Ilmari Kuokka was a Finnish long-distance runner who represented Viipurin Urheilijat in Helsinki. At the 1928 Finnish Olympic marathon trial an oddity occurred in the race when three runners, Verner Laaksonen, Eino Rastas, and Kuokka, purposely tied for 2nd by crossing the line together in 2-40:40 to ensure their collective participation at Amsterdam. At the marathon race at the Amsterdam Games he went on to finish in 12th place. In the marathon at the Amsterdam Games Kuokka finished in 24th place. He had success at the Finnish Athletics Championships, winning gold in the 25,000 metres in both 1931 and 1936, along with silver in 1935, and bronze in 1926 and 1929. He won several marathons in the early 1930s including the Helsinki marathon in 1931. After his athletics career Kuokka served on the municipal council of Nuijamaa in the south-east of Finland.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-40:40 (1928).