Pat Boot

Vernon Patrick Boot (22 October 1914 – 15 January 1947) was a New Zealand middle-distance runner who represented his country at the 1936 Summer Olympics and at the 1938 British Empire Games, winning gold and bronze medals at the latter.

Early life and family Born in Kaikōura on 22 October 1914, Boot was the son of Percy Vernon Boot and Estelle Marie Boot (formerly England, née Edge). He was educated at Ashburton High School and Timaru Boys' High School, and went on to study at Canterbury Agricultural College from 1934 to 1935, where he trained for a diploma in agriculture. In 1937, Boot joined the Department of Agriculture as an assistant fields instructor. Lorna Boot died from meningitis on 15 September 1943 while her husband was serving overseas during World War II.

Athletics As a schoolboy at Timaru Boys' High School, Boot ran the 880 yards in 2:00.0, and the 1 mile in 4:26.8.

At the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, Boot won the gold medal in the men's 880 yards with a tremendous sprint 70 yards from the end. In the 1 mile, he won the bronze medal, finishing six yards behind the winner, Jim Alford of Wales.

Boot won five New Zealand national athletics titles: the 880 yards in 1936, 1938, 1939, and 1940; and the 1 mile in 1936.

Military service In World War II, Boot trained as an officer at the Army Training School at Trentham.