Van Nelson

Van Nelson won the 5K/10K double at the 1967 Pan American Games, one of only two athletes to win that double (Osvaldo Suárez [ARG] did it in 1955). In that same year he was double silver medalist in the two distance events at the World University Games. He was AAU 6-mile champion in 1967 and finished third in the AAU 10K in 1968. At 3-miles/5K he was fourth in the AAU in 1966 and 1968 and third in 1967. He ran for St. Cloud State College.

Personal Bests: Mile – 4:17.9 (1964); 2 miles – 8:39.2i (1967); 5000 – 13:39.4 (1967); 10000 – 28:48.20 (1967); 3000S – 9:22.4 (1966).