Ron Laird

Ron Laird has won more national championships in track & field than any American athlete, with 65 different championships in various walking events, ranging in distance from 1 mile to 50 km (31.1 miles). In addition to his four Olympic appearances, Laird was fourth at the 1963 Pan American Games and won gold at the 1967 Pan American Games in the 20 km walk, and finished third in the 1967 and 1973 World Cup 20 km walk. His US national titles, all AAU championships, occurred between 1958 and 1976, although he also won four Canadian championships. He set 81 American records at distances from 1 km to 40 km.

Personal Bests: 20kmW – 1-28:18 (1967); 50kmW – 4-29:39 (1968).