Juan Carlos Zabala (October 11, 1911 – January 24, 1983), also known as "El Ñandú Criollo", was an Argentine long-distance runner, who won the marathon at the 1932 Summer Olympics.

Ten days after that he set a new world record in the 30 km (1:42:30.4).

Later, before the 1936 Summer Olympics, Zabala would run a new world record in the 20 km (1:04:00.2).

With just four kilometres left, he broke free to finish 20 seconds ahead of Sam Ferris from Great Britain.

[3] Zabala was the flag bearer for Argentina at the opening ceremony of the 1936 Summer Olympics.