Harry Gissing
Encyclopedia
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
track and field athlete, a member of the New York Athletic Club, Mohawk Athletic Club, and the Irish American Athletic Club
Irish American Athletic Club
The Irish American Athletic Club was an amateur athletic organization, based in Queens, New York at the beginning of the 20th Century.-Early years:...
. In 1911, he was part of a world's record setting team in the 4x400 meter relay race.
In 1908, Gissing won the A.A.U
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
half-mile championship with a time of 1 minute 56 and 4/5 seconds. He came in first place in the 1,000 yard National A.A.U
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
indoor championship three years running, 1908, 1909 and 1910. In 1909 Gissing also won the 880 yard New York Metropolitan A.A.U
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
championship, and came in second place in the 880 yard Senior National A.A.U
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
championship. As the anchor of the New York Athletic Club relay team, on many occasions he "turned apparent defeat into victory."
On April 9, 1911, Gissing was part of the Irish American Athletic Club
Irish American Athletic Club
The Irish American Athletic Club was an amateur athletic organization, based in Queens, New York at the beginning of the 20th Century.-Early years:...
4x440 yard relay team that broke the world's record at Celtic Park, Queens, New York, and set the first IAAF- recognized world record for 4x440 yard or 4x400 meter relay race, with a time of 3 minutes and 18 4/5 seconds. The other members of the world's record setting team were; James Rosenberger
James Rosenberger
James Maher Rosenberger was an American track and field athlete and a member of the Irish American Athletic Club. He was born in New York City and died in Brooklyn, New York....
, Harry Schaaf
Harry Schaaf
Henry "Harry" Schaaf was an American track and field athlete, a member of the Irish American Athletic Club, and a Police Officer in the New York City Police Department...
and Mel Sheppard
Mel Sheppard
Melvin Whinfield "Peerless Mel" Sheppard was an American athlete, member of the Irish American Athletic Club and winner of four gold medals at the 1908 Summer Olympics and 1912 Summer Olympics...
.