William Reuben Applegarth (11 May 1890 – 5 December 1958) was a British track and field athlete and winner of a gold medal in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1912 Summer Olympics.

[2] Born in Guisborough, then in the North Riding of Yorkshire, William Applegarth was one of the best European sprinters during World War I.

The United States was later disqualified for a fault in passing the baton; the same mistake was made in the final by the world record holder and main favourite German team.

[3] In November 1914, Applegarth turned professional and, in 1922, emigrated to America, where he became the track and association football coach at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania.

In 1925, he retired from sport and began working as a welder at the General Electric Company, where he stayed until 1955.