Horace Ashenfelter
Encyclopedia
Horace Ashenfelter, III (born January 23, 1923) is a retired American
athlete. He competed in international athletics from 1947 to 1956 after service in World War II
and the completion of his degree at Penn State
.
Ashenfelter was born in Collegeville
, Pennsylvania
, and was one of America's finest runners
during his career, but he was outpaced by many international performers. During his career he won 15 national AAU titles and three collegiate national titles.
Although he was considered a long shot, Ashenfelter was the surprise winner of the steeplechase
at the 1952 Summer Olympics
at Helsinki
. He finished ahead of Vladimir Kazantsev of USSR and John Disley
of Great Britain
, and broke Kazantsev's unofficial world record (the IAAF did not accept official records in the steeplechase until 1954) in the process. Since Ashenfelter worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
, it led to humorous comments about him being the first American spy who allowed himself to be chased by a Russian. In addition, Ashenfelter won the Sullivan Award
as outstanding amateur athlete for the year 1952.
. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey
in 1998. The indoor track facility at his alma mater, Penn State, is named in his honor.
A race, the Ashenfelter 8k Classic, is held annually in his honor in Glen Ridge. It is attended by runners throughout the region. The event's logos frequently depict the legend himself.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete. He competed in international athletics from 1947 to 1956 after service in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the completion of his degree at Penn State
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
.
Ashenfelter was born in Collegeville
Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Collegeville is a borough in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia on the Perkiomen Creek. Collegeville was incorporated in 1896. It is the seat of Ursinus College, opened in 1869...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and was one of America's finest runners
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
during his career, but he was outpaced by many international performers. During his career he won 15 national AAU titles and three collegiate national titles.
Although he was considered a long shot, Ashenfelter was the surprise winner of the steeplechase
Steeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
at the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
at Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
. He finished ahead of Vladimir Kazantsev of USSR and John Disley
John Disley
John Ivor Disley is a former Welsh athlete who competed mainly in the 3000 metres steeple chase. He was born in Corris, a village in Gwynedd...
of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, and broke Kazantsev's unofficial world record (the IAAF did not accept official records in the steeplechase until 1954) in the process. Since Ashenfelter worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
, it led to humorous comments about him being the first American spy who allowed himself to be chased by a Russian. In addition, Ashenfelter won the Sullivan Award
James E. Sullivan Award
The James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the American Amateur Athletic Union , is awarded annually in April to "the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States". Often referred to as the Oscar of sports awards, it was first presented in 1930. The award is named for the AAU's founder and past...
as outstanding amateur athlete for the year 1952.
Personal
Ashenfelter now lives in Glen Ridge, New JerseyGlen Ridge, New Jersey
Glen Ridge is a borough in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,527. In 2010, Glen Ridge was ranked as the 38th Best Place to live by New Jersey Monthly magazine....
. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey
Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey
The Sports Hall of Fame of New Jersey was established in 1988 to honor athletes, teams, events and contributors associated with the state of New Jersey...
in 1998. The indoor track facility at his alma mater, Penn State, is named in his honor.
A race, the Ashenfelter 8k Classic, is held annually in his honor in Glen Ridge. It is attended by runners throughout the region. The event's logos frequently depict the legend himself.