Derek Turnbull

Derek Philip Fraser Turnbull QSM (5 December 1926 – 2 November 2006) was a New Zealand middle- and long-distance runner. He took up Masters athletics at the age of 40, and went on to set 25 Masters Athletics World Records.

For the rugby player, see Derek Turnbull (rugby union).

Derek Turnbull
QSM
Personal information
Birth nameDerek Philip Fraser Turnbull
Born(1926-12-05)5 December 1926
Waikaka, New Zealand
Died2 November 2006(2006-11-02) (aged 79)
EducationSouthland Boys' High School
Alma materMassey Agricultural College
OccupationFarmer
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportMasters athletics
Event(s)1500 m to marathon

Early life

Born in Waikaka, Southland, 28 km northeast of Gore, on 5 December 1926, Turnbull was educated at Southland Boys' High School.[1] He went on to study at Massey Agricultural College, gaining a Diploma of Agriculture with honours.[1] He became a farmer, and owned and farmed 105 hectares at Tussock Creek, 30 km north of Invercargill from about 1980.[1]

Athletics

While at Massey, Turnbull was awarded New Zealand University blues in cross country and athletics.[1] He began competing in Masters athletics events when he was 40 years old, going on to win 28 gold medals at world veteran track and field championships.[1]

Over his career, Turnbull set 25 Masters Athletics World Records across various age categories and events.[1] In 1992, he set six world records in the 65–69 age category as well as two further world best times for the year. As of 2019, records set by Turnbull that still stand are:

Event Age group Record Date Place Meet
Mile M 65 4:56.4 29 February 1992 Christchurch
3000 m M 65 9:47.4 8 February 1992 Christchurch
5000 m M 65 16:38.8 13 March 1992 Christchurch
10,000 m M 65 34:42.2 15 March 1992 Christchurch
Marathon M 65 2:41:57 12 April 1992 London London Marathon

Three of Turnbull's notable marathons include:[2]

  • 1987 Alaska Marathon, winning the men's 60+ category in a time of 2:38:46, his personal best for the distance
  • 1990 New York Marathon, winning the men's 60-69 category in a time of 2:41:21
  • 1992 London Marathon, winning the M 65 category in 2:41:57.

In the 1988 Queen's Birthday Honours, Turnbull was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for community service.[3] His story was documented in the book The Fastest Old Man in the World by Vince Boyle, published in 2006,[4] and later made into a 30-minute film of the same name.[5]

Later life and death

Turnbull suffered a mild stroke in 2001.[1] He died on 2 November 2006, and was survived by his wife, Pat, with whom he had six children.[1]

References
  1. "Athletics: Turnbull runs his final race". The New Zealand Herald. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  2. Boyle, Vince, (2006), The fastest old man in the world, p. 246.
  3. "No. 51367". The London Gazette (3rd supplement). 11 June 1988. p. 35.
  4. Boyle, Vincent Gregory (2006). The Fastest Old Man in the World: the Derek Turnbull Story. Google Books. ISBN 9780473111373. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  5. "The Fastest Old Man in the World". Running Movies. Retrieved 12 June 2019.


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