Mariano Haro facts for kids
Mariano Haro Cisneros (born 27 May 1940 – died 27 July 2024) was a talented athlete from Spain. He was known for his amazing skills in long-distance running events. Mariano was born in a town called Becerril de Campos. He passed away in Palencia, Spain, at 84 years old.
Mariano loved to run. He used his natural talent to help with errands and small jobs. Soon, he became a top competitor in running, even though he didn't really choose the sport at first.
Contents
A Champion in Spain
In the 1960s, Mariano Haro was almost unbeatable in Spain. He won nearly every 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter race. His main rival in Spain was another strong runner named Javier Alvarez Salgado.
Olympic Achievements
Mariano Haro competed in the Olympic Games, which are huge international sports events.
Munich 1972 Olympics
At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Mariano finished 4th in the 10,000-meter race. This was a very close and exciting race. He competed against other legendary runners like Lasse Virén, Emiel Puttemans, Miruts Yifter, and Frank Shorter. He also qualified for the 5,000-meter final in those Games, but he decided not to run at the last minute.
Montreal 1976 Olympics
Mariano Haro was still competing at a high level when he was 36 years old. He took part in the 1976 Summer Olympics. In these Games, he placed 6th in the 10,000-meter event.
Cross-Country Running Star
Mariano Haro was especially famous as a cross-country runner. Cross-country running involves racing over natural terrain, like fields and hills.
World Championships Success
He was a runner-up (meaning he finished second) four times in the Cross World Championships. These were in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1975.
National and International Wins
Mariano was also the Spanish National Cross champion for many years. He won this title every year from 1971 through 1977. He also won the International Lasarte Cross Country race twice, in 1974 and 1975.
Spanish Records
Mariano Haro held many Spanish national records. These records were for different running distances, from 1,500 meters all the way up to 20 kilometers. He also still holds the Spanish record for the "hour race," which is how far you can run in one hour.
Life After Running
After the Montreal Olympics, Mariano decided to retire from competitive running. He then started a new career in politics. This path offered him more financial success.
