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Back to Athlete Bios
Athlete Bio

Ben Eastman

Basic Information

Status: Hall of Fame Gender: Male Date of Birth: 6/9/2011

Athletics Information

Event: Outdoor Track & Field Agent: N/A

Residences

Hometown: Burlingame, California College: Stanford University

A collegiate star at Stanford University, Eastman won the IC4A 880 yard run in 1931, and in the spring of 1932 he set three world records running 440 yards in 46.4 seconds, and the 880 in 1:51.3 and 1:50.9. In 1932, Eastman won his second IC4A half-mile crown and finished as the 400m runner-up at both the Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games in Los Angeles to former world record holder Bill Carr. In 1933, Eastman turned his attention to the 800m/880y and won that event at the AAU Nationals. That year he set world indoor records in the 500 meters (1:02.0) and the 600y dash in 1:09.2. In 1934 he lowered the world record for the 880 to 1:49.8. Eastman retired in 1934 and made a comeback two years later before permanently hanging up his spikes after placing fifth in the 800 meters at the 1936 Olympic Trials. He died October 6, 2002.

Events
200 m - 21.40
400 yd. - 46.40
500 m - 1:02.00
600 yd. - 1:08.80
880 yd. - 1:49.80

Records Held
World Record: 440 yd. - 46.40
World Record (indoor): 500 m - 1:02.00
World Record (indoor): 600 yd. - 1:09.20
World Record: 880 yd. - 1:51.30
World Record: 880 yd. - 1:50.90
World Record: 880 yd. - 1:49.80

Championships
1932 Olympic Games: 400 m - 46.40 (2nd)
1932 Olympic Trials: 400 m (2nd)
1933 AAU Nationals: 880 yd. (1st)
1934 USA Outdoor Championships: 800 m - 1:50.40 (1st)
1936 Olympic Trials: 800 m (5th)

Education
Undergraduate: Stanford University (Palo Alto, California), 1933

Occupations
Worked for a diesel engine company, an equipment business and later operated his own fruit farm.





 

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