Günter Mielke

Long-distance and marathon runner Günter Mielke did not finish the heats of the 10K at the 1972 München Olympics and finished 54th four years later in the marathon in Montréal, although he suffered a foot injury just after the start. He also came in 20th at the 1974 European Championships. Mielke was West German marathon champion in 1975 and 1977. In 1976 he was runner-up at the Karl-Marx-Stadt-Marathon, also placing second at Frankfurt / Main in 1981, winning the first Helsinki marathon that year. He was still running marathons and long distance races until his death.

Mielke canceled his dentistry studies due to his distance running passion. He later became a primary school teacher, and also worked as a representative for different running shoe brands. He also served as the athletic director of the Frankfurt Marathon in the 1990s. In January 2010, he collapsed on the last day of his holidays in New Zealand on a beach in Auckland while jogging. He was resuscitated and immediately transported to hospital but died three days later.

Personal Bests: 10000 – 28:44.6 (1972); Mar – 2-13:58 (1981).