TurkeyBiography
Turkish marathon icon. Former Turkish Athletics President.
Acquainted with athletics by former distance great Şükrü Saban, when he was studying in Eskişehir. Took some national successes but first impact came in Mediterranean Games 1979 where he secured marathon bronze.
During the 1980s, Mehmet Terzi turned into an iconic figure for road running. He was very famous in Turkey for a decade, especially after his famous 2:10:25 finish at 1987 London Marathon - which is known as 'most endured record' in Turkish athletics history. His London mark stood as marathon Turkish record for 31 years and 5 months long, eventually broken by Kenyan-born Kaan Kigen Özbilen in Amsterdam Marathon 2018.
With four titles on his belt, he is one of the four marathoners who took at least four Balkan Games in history.
PERSONAL BESTS:
1500m: 3:53.6 (Ankara 1976)
5000m: 13:59.51 (Prague 1985)
10,000m: 28:59.8 (Aachen 1984)
Marathon: 2:10:25 (London 1987)
TRIVIA
♦ Competed for different clubs in his career: Şişecam, Zonguldak Stad Atletik, Fenerbahçe.
♦ Served as president for Turkish Athletic Federation (TAF) in 2004-2013.
♦ Lives in Eskişehir.