Ian Syster (20 January 1976 – 25 December 2004) was a South African long-distance runner who specialized in the marathon.

He was born in Prince Albert.[1] He finished fourteenth at the 2001 World Championships and seventh at the 2003 World Championships.[2] He also competed at the 2004 Olympic Games, but did not finish the race.[1] At city marathons, Syster finished fifth in the 2002 London Marathon,[3] and won the Beijing Marathon the following year.

He had a personal best of 13:45.37 minutes in the 5000 metres, achieved in March 2002 in Bellville, and 28:24.61 minutes in the 10,000 metres, achieved in March 2002 in Port Elizabeth. In the longer races he had 1:02:44 hours in the half marathon and 2:07:06 hours in the marathon, both achieved in April 2002 in the London Marathon.[2] Ian Syster and his two-month-old son drowned in December 2004 in Keimoes following a car accident.[1][3]

Achievements edit

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing   South Africa
2001 World Championships Edmonton, Canada 14th Marathon 2:19:38
2002 London Marathon London, United Kingdom 5th Marathon 2:07:06
2003 Beijing Marathon Beijing, PR China 1st Marathon 2:07:49
World Championships Paris, France 7th Marathon 2:10:17
2004 Olympic Games Athens, Greece Marathon DNF

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Ian Syster". Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2010.
  2. ^ a b Ian Syster at World Athletics  
  3. ^ a b dpa (27 December 2004). "Olympic athlete drowns after car accident". The Star.