Corbitt, Ted (1920- )

US long-distance runner. Corbitt's exploits in running marathons and even longer contributed substantially to the popularity of long-distance running in the USA. He held the American record at 25 miles, at the marathon distance, and at 40 and 50 miles.

He was born in Dunbarton, South Carolina. Corbitt trained for and ran in international races of 40 to 100 miles, often against much younger men, and almost always finished among the top five, often setting American records in the process. By profession a physical therapist, he maintained his fitness into his fifties, long after most have given up competitive efforts.

He was called ‘the father of American distance running’.