[1] He specialized in the longest track distances, 5000 and 10,000 metres, as well as cross-country running and from around 1960 the marathon, in which he also competed at that year's Olympic Games.
He broke a Trondheim dominance of more than decade, with Martin Stokken, Øistein Saksvik and Ernst Larsen having won all titles but one since 1947.
[4] Torgersen also overcame Saksvik's Norwegian record in the 10,000 metres, set in 1955, when he in July 1959 at Bislett stadion ran the distance in 29:30.8 minutes.
[7] Torgersen with IK Tjalve sat a new Norwegian club record in the 4 × 1500 metres relay in 1958, but it was broken by IL i BUL's team three months later.
[13] Torgersen was a teacher and coach in Larvik, and has been credited with discovering the talent of middle-distance runner Lars Martin Kaupang.