Albin Stenroos

Who was Albin Stenroos?

Oskar Albinus Stenroos was a Finnish athlete, winner of the marathon race at the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Born in Vehmaa, Finland, Albin Stenroos ran his first marathon in 1909, but then settled to shorter distances. His next marathon would be in Paris Olympics in 1924.

Albin Stenroos got his first fame by winning the 10,000 metres at Finnish nationals in 1910. In absence of Hannes Kolehmainen, Stenroos won the Finnish National Championships in 5000 and 10,000 m from 1912 to 1916. He also won the cross country title from 1915 to 1917.

At the 1912 Summer Olympics, Stenroos won the bronze medal in 10,000 m behind Kolehmainen. He also finished sixth on cross country run and aided his team to a second place.

In 1915, Stenroos ran his first world record in 30 km, which he overrun in 1924. He also owned the 20 km world record in 1923.

Stenroos skipped the 1920 Summer Olympics, but decided to run marathon at the 1924 Olympic Games. Stenroos won the race in quite hot conditions, beating second placed Romeo Bertini from Italy by almost six minutes.