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4 unusual facts about Robert de Castella


Deeks

Robert de Castella (born 1957), Australian marathon runner, nicknamed "Deeks"

Robert de Castella

It was not initially known to be a world best time, because his time was 5 seconds slower than the time set by Alberto Salazar in the 1981 New York City Marathon.

Briton Mike Gratton finished third in 2:12:06, and Shahanga faded to finish 6th.

De Castella won Australia's first athletic World Championships gold medal when he won the marathon in 1983, beating Ethiopian Kebede Balcha by 24 seconds.



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