RIP Juan Martinez

[bambam1729]

D - 25 May 2021

1968/72 Olympian as a distance runner. In 1968, he sadly finished 4th in both the 5K and 10K. In 1972 he was 10th at 10K. Also won medals at the Pan Am Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games, including gold in the 1970 CAC Games 10,000

[DrJay]

I've always thought this was a classic photo. From the Runner's World 1971 book "Guide to Distance Running".

[DrJay]

So close to a medal in the 10K.

	Naftali Temu (KEN)	29:27.4
	Mamo Wolde (ETH)	29:28.0
	Mohamed Gammoudi (TUN)	29:34.2
4.	Juan Martínez (MEX)	29:35.0
5.	Nikolay Sviridov (URS)	29:43.2
6.	Ron Clarke (AUS)	29:44.2
7.	Ron Hill (GBR)	29:53.2

5K

	Mohammed Gammoudi	Tunisia	14:05.0
	Kipchoge Keino	Kenya	14:05.2
	Naftali Temu	Kenya	14:06.4
4	Juan Máximo Martínez	Mexico	14:10.8
5	Ron Clarke	Australia	14:12.4

[DoubleRBar]

I remember when Martinez took the lead about halfway through the Mexico City (1968) 10,000 and the crowd went "crazy". I think he kept the lead for several laps and then was outsprinted by Gammoudi for the bronze medal.

[Chicago]

He also finished one place ahead of a young Steve Prefontaine in the 1969 AAU 3-mile.