Rick Wohlhuter

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Rick Wohlhuter

Born
Dec 23, 1948 (77 years old)
Birthplace
Geneva, United States
Events
800 m · 1000 Metres
Height
1.75 m
Weight
60 kg

Rick Wohlhuter (born December 23, 1948) is a retired American middle-distance runner. Wohlhuter won the national indoor championship in the 600 yards in 1970. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1971, and later qualified for the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. In 1976 he finished sixth in the 1500 meters.

In the 800 metres, he was initially disqualified for bumping Seymour Newman in the semi-final, but reinstated on appeal and went on to win the bronze medal, behind Alberto Juantorena who broke the world record and Ivo Van Damme of Belgium. Wohlhuter was the U.S. national champion for the 800 meters in 1973 and 1974 and was ranked #1 in the world both years by Track & Field News. Also in 1974, Wohlhuter won the first of three indoor 1000 yard U.S.

national titles, set a world record in the 880 yards at 1:44.10 (1:43.5 at 800 meters), and a world record in the 1000 meter event at 2:13.9, which remains the longest standing American outdoor record. He won the James E. Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete for his achievements in 1974. Wohlhuter retired in 1977. He contemplated a comeback in 1980, but reconsidered after learning about the American boycott of the Moscow Olympics. He began working in the insurance business instead.

Personal best · 800 m1:43.9h
1977 season best1:45.78May 28, 1977 · Wichita, KS
Medals1Olympic Games: 1 bronze
National record2:13.9h1000 Metres

As of Oct 29, 2026: 800 m 1:43.9h (#167 all-time), 1000 Metres 2:13.9h, 1977 season best 1:45.78 (May 28, 1977, Wichita, KS (USA)) · Olympic Games: 1 bronze · National record (1000 Metres) · 77 years old

DisciplineResultAll-time
800mCA 19741:43.9h1,208 pts#167
1500mKS 19753:36.4h1,156 pts–
MileKS 19753:53.3h1,159 pts–
1000mOslo 19742:13.9h1,205 pts–
mile-short-trackIndoorIN 19753:57.7h1,160 pts–
mile-short-track19753:57.7h1,160 pts–

Medals

CompetitionsGoldSilverBronzeTotal
Olympic Games––11

Progression

Compare me
SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
1977800m 1:45.78–May 28, 1977Wichita, KS (USA)
1976800m 1:44.12–Jul 25, 1976Olympic Stadium, Montréal (CAN)
19761500m 3:36.47–Jun 27, 1976Eugene, OR (USA)
1976Mile 3:56.77–May 29, 1976–
1975800m 1:44.12–Jul 19, 1975Durham, NC (USA)
19751000m 2:20.3h–Jul 8, 1975Paris (FRA)
19751500m 3:36.4h–May 31, 1975Wichita, KS (USA)
1975Mile 3:53.3h–May 31, 1975Wichita, KS (USA)
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Media

Rick Wohlhuter
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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Rick Wohlhuter's 800 m personal best is 1:43.9h, set on Jun 22, 1974 in Westwood, CA (USA), #167 on the all-time list.

Rick Wohlhuter competes in the 800 m and 1000 Metres.

1977 season best: 1:45.78, set on May 28, 1977 in Wichita, KS (USA).

Rick Wohlhuter has won 1 Olympic Games medal.