The jogging revolution with Arthur LYDIARD
From the 1960s onwards, New Zealander Arthur LYDIARD developed a revolutionary training method based on slow, long-distance runs.
More accessible and less gruelling, the LYDIARD method opened the door to a wider audience. With jogging , people started running for health and for fun.
Arthur LYDIARD
Arthur LYDIARD worked in a shoe factory and played rugby in Auckland. For him, endurance formed the foundation of physical fitness, upon which everything else could be built. He won the New Zealand Marathon in 1953 and 1955, establishing himself as a renowned coach.
Among his athletes were Peter SNELL, Murray HALBERG and Barry MAGEE, who shone at the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Rome 1960 – Peter SNELL
Thanks to the revolutionary approach of his new coach Arthur LYDIARD, New Zealand runner Peter SNELL dominated middle-distance competitions in his country. He won the gold medal in the 800 metres at the Rome Olympics.
Tokyo 1964 – 1 500 m Hommes - Finale, Peter SNELL (NZL) 1er, Josef ODLOZIL (TCH) 2ème, John DAVIES (NZL) 3ème (1964) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Tokyo 1964 – Peter SNELL
At Tokyo 1964, Peter SNELL, still under the guidance of Arthur LYDIARD, emerged victorious, claiming gold in both the 800- metre and 1500- metre events. His strategy involved starting from behind and gradually moving forwards, unleashing an unbeatable sprint in the final 300 metres to always win gold.
Rome 1960 – Murray HALBERG
Another notable New Zealander, Murray HALBERG, now came into the spotlight. Halberg's journey began in 1951, when he met LYDIARD and transitioned to running after a rugby career. He won gold in the 5,000 metres at Rome 1960. The following year, Halberg set not one, but four world records in the 2 miles, 4x1 mile, 3 miles and 2 miles indoor events.
Rome 1960 – Barry MAGEE (NZL) franchit la ligne d’arrivée et reçoit sa médaille : Abebe BIKILA (ETH), 1er, Rhadi Rhadi Ben Abdesselam (MOR), 2ème et Barry MAGEE, 3ème (1960) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum
Rome 1960 – Barry MAGEE
Magee, another New Zealand athlete trained by Arthur Lydiard, secured third place in the Olympic marathon.
Rome 1960 – Barry MAGEE
Barry MAGEE was the third athlete trained by Arthur LYDIARD to win an Olympic medal in Rome in 1960 . In December of the same year, MAGEE won the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan in a record time of 2 hours, 19 minutes and 4 seconds.
After his Olympic successes, LYDIARD established the Auckland Jogging Club in 1962, the first club for amateur runners, bringing together hundreds of men of all ages as well as women, which was revolutionary at the time! These enthusiasts, who wanted to improve their fitness through running, embraced LYDIARD's training methods : running long distances at a slow and steady pace. Running was now open to everyone.
Arthur LYDIARD, the pioneer of jogging
In 1962, LYDIARD wrote: "You might not want to run in shorts in front of your neighbours. But don't let their mockery deter you, because once they see the benefits it brings you, they will likely join you."
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