Masters running great Andberg dies
Posted Wednesday, 19 December, 2007
Known throughout masters track and field as "Bullet Bill" and "The Flying Finn," William Andberg died Tuesday of prostate cancer. He was 96.
During his masters running career, Andberg set more than 20 national and world records from ages 50 to 90. A longtime veterinarian in his hometown of Anoka, Minn., Andberg's favorite nickname was the "Gray Ghost," a moniker that was given to him after being seen running through an Anoka cemetery in a gray sweatsuit. Anoka's annual Halloween Gray Ghost 5 km run was started by Andberg in the mid 1970s.The official starter for the race for many years, Andberg's health caused him to miss the event this year for the first time in three decades.
Andberg took up running at age 55 in an effort to keep weight off his 5-foot-7-inch frame. During his running career he ran 35 marathons, and during one masters tour in Europe he ran 11 races in 23 days, winning 10 of them.
He is survived by his daughter Wendy and other daughters, Chris Gorham and Julie Andberg, son Paul; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Contact:
Tom Surber
Media Information Manager
USA Track & Field
317-713-4690
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