Jack Mekler (4 March 1932 – 1 July 2019)[1] was a South African long-distance runner.
[citation needed] He was boosted by fierce self-determination that grew out of his lonely and harsh childhood experience.
[citation needed] His early life was spent in Johannesburg, where he attended Parktown Boys' High School.
At the age of thirteen, Mekler decided to improve his health and fitness by running.
In 1965, he finished second there, in 1968 he moved with his fifth triumph with the previous record winners Arthur FH Newton, Hardy Ballington and Wally Hayward equal, and in 1969 he was third.