Bernard Joseph Wefers Sr. (February 19, 1873 – April 18, 1957) was an American sprint runner.

Bernard Wefers
Bernard Wefers c. 1897
Personal information
Full nameBernard Joseph Wefers Sr.
BornFebruary 19, 1873
Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedApril 18, 1957 (aged 84)
New York City, U.S.
Sport
SportAthletics
Event100–400 m
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)100 m – 10.6 (1897)
200 m – 21.7 (1896)
400 m – 48.9 (1896)[1]

He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts and attended Boston College before transferring to study medicine at Georgetown University.[2] During the 1890s he won numerous sprint records and was dubbed the "World's Fastest human".[3] In 1896 he set a world record in the 220 yards (200 metres) dash with a time of 21.2 seconds. This record stood until 1921, although it was tied by five other athletes. After retiring, Wefers coached track and field at NYAC for 45 years.[4]

Wefers died in 1957 in New York City.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Bernard Wefers. trackfield.brinkster.net
  2. ^ American Council of Learned Societies; Garraty, John Arthur; Carnes, Mark Christopher (1999), Garraty, John Arthur; Carnes, Mark Christopher (eds.), American National Biography: Tunnicliff-Welk, vol. 22, Oxford University Press, p. 893, ISBN 0-19-512801-X
  3. ^ "People", St. Petersburg Times, April 19, 1957
  4. ^ Sears, Edward Seldon (2001). Running through the ages. McFarland. p. 96. ISBN 0-7864-0971-1.
  5. ^ (19 April 1957). Bernie Wefers, Track Star, Dies, The New York Times, p. 21, col. 1 (paywall)
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