Jakob Kjersem

Who was Jakob Kjersem?

Jakob Kjersem was a Norwegian long-distance runner who specialized in the 10,000 metres. He represented Tresfjord IL.

At the 1948 Summer Olympics he finished twelfth in the 10,000 metres final, and at the 1952 Summer Olympics he finished in 24th place in the marathon. He never became Norwegian champion in the 10,000 metres, but won silver medals in 1948, 1949, 1951 and 1956. His rivals were Martin Stokken and Øistein Saksvik. His personal best time in the 10,000 metres was 30:13.8 minutes, achieved at the 1956 Norwegian championships at Stavanger stadion.

He also won medals in the 5000 metres and the marathon. He excelled in several now-defunct events, having seven national titles in the 25 kilometres road race, the 8 kilometres cross-country race as well as the forest race, won between 1949 and 1960.

He was a journalist and farmer by occupation, and released books on local sport history. He died in June 2009.