Derek Clayton

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Derek Clayton (born 17 November 1942) was an Australian long-distance runner, born in Lancashire, England and raised in Northern Ireland. He set the world best for the marathon in the Fukuoka Marathon, Japan on 3 December 1967 in 2:09:36.4, in what is considered a classic race, the first marathon race ever run in less than two hours and ten minutes.

He went on to break this time in Antwerp on 30 May 1969 by more than a minute, this time stood as the world best for nearly another 12 years. His personal best time of 2:08:33.6 is still a world class marathon time. Clayton represented Australia at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, finishing in 7th place (2:27:23). Four years later he ended up in 13th position (2:19:49) in the same event.

[edit] External links

• A history of the Fukuoka International Marathon Championships
• Athletes of the marathon

Records
Preceded by Morio Shigematsu	Men's Marathon World Record Holder December 3, 1967 – December 6, 1981	Succeeded by Robert de Castella
Sporting positions
Preceded by Michael Ryan	Fukuoka Men's Marathon Winner 1967	Succeeded by Bill Adcocks
Preceded by Michael Ryan	Men's Fastest Marathon Race 1967	Succeeded by Bill Adcocks
Preceded by Ron Hill	Men's Fastest Marathon Race 1971	Succeeded by Frank Shorter