Curtis Stone

Curtis Charles "Curt" Stone (November 19, 1922 – July 30, 2021) was an American long-distance runner. He competed in the 5000 m at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics with the best result of sixth place in 1948. He also competed in the 10000 m at the 1952 Olympics.

Biography During World War II, beginning in 1943, Stone served in Europe with the 95th Air Base Wing, a unit of the U.S. Army Air Forces that was based at RAF Horham in England, working for one and a half years as a finance clerk.

During the 3,000 m steeplechase at the 1951 Pan American Games, Stone was easily ahead but slowed on the final straightaway to allow teammate Browning Ross to catch up. The two crossed the finish line hand in hand forcing a tie for first place. Argentine officials debated whether to disqualify the pair for helping each other, but ultimately let the results stand, ranking Stone as first after a close examination of the finish photograph. At those Games, Stone also won the 10,000 m and placed fourth in the 1500 m final.

Stone won 13 AAU titles, including four in the 6-miles/10,000 m in 1951–54 and three in the 5000 m in 1947–48 and 1952. During World War II he served in the 95th Air Base Wing near Horham, England. He then graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1947, defended a PhD in education there in 1963, and became a professor at Kent State University.

Stone died on July 30, 2021, at The KentRidge Senior Living in Kent, Ohio, at the age of 98.