Audun Boysen was one of Norway’s greatest middle-distance runners and a leading figure in international athletics during the 1950s.

He was born on 10 May 1929 and passed away on 2 March 2000.
His parents were Audun Boysen Sr. (1894–1983) and Kathrine (“Tatty”) Marie Rockmann Moen.

In 1953, he married Brit Hegstad (b. 30 September 1929).

Athletic Career

Boysen belonged to the absolute world elite and was Norway’s foremost middle-distance runner throughout the 1950s.

He represented several clubs, most notably IK Tjalve, but also Torodd, SK Freidig, and Rissa IL.

During his career, he:

  • Won 15 Norwegian championship titles (400 m, 800 m, 1500 m)
  • Earned one silver and two bronze medals in international championships (800 m)
  • Set multiple Norwegian and Nordic records
  • Set three world records in the 1000 metres

Breakthrough and Rise to International Level

Boysen’s breakthrough came in 1949, when he ran 1:53.3 in the 800 metres at Bislett Stadium, opening with a fast first lap of 53 seconds.

His major international breakthrough followed in 1950, during IK Tjalve’s anniversary meeting at Bislett. He led most of the 800 m race but was narrowly defeated by the American Olympic champion Mal Whitfield.
Boysen set a new Norwegian record of 1:50.6 in that race.

Later that summer, he won in Gothenburg with 1:48.7, setting both a Norwegian and Nordic record. At the time, this ranked as the fifth fastest 800 m performance in history.

International Championships and Olympic Career

Following his strong 1950 season, Boysen was among the favourites for the European Athletics Championships 1950. He led the final but faded in the closing stages, finishing outside the medals.

He competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics, where:

  • He did not reach the 800 m final
  • He reached the 1500 m final but finished unplaced

World Records and Peak Years

In 1953, Boysen made history at Bislett by setting a world record in the 1000 metres (2:20.4) — the first world record ever set by a Norwegian runner in a track event.

He improved this record twice:

  • 1954: 2:19.5
  • 1955: 2:19.0

At the European Athletics Championships 1954, he again led the 800 m final but was overtaken near the finish, securing his first international medal (bronze).

Historic 800 m Race and Olympic Medal

In 1955, Boysen ran one of the most famous races of his career at Bislett.
Although he finished second behind Belgium’s Roger Moens, who set a world record (1:45.7), Boysen himself ran 1:45.9 — faster than the previous world record.

This performance stood as the Norwegian record for 37 years, until 1992.

At the 1956 Summer Olympics, Boysen won bronze in the 800 metres, becoming the first Norwegian to win an Olympic medal in a running event.

European Championship Drama (1958)

At the European Athletics Championships 1958, Boysen crossed the finish line in second place behind Britain’s Mike Rawson.

Rawson was initially disqualified for a lane infringement, and Boysen was awarded the gold medal during the victory ceremony. However, the decision was later overturned after a protest, and Boysen was officially awarded silver.

This race marked his final major international championship.

Later Life and Career

Boysen retired from athletics in 1959, after competing for IK Tjalve in the Holmenkoll Relay.

Alongside his sporting career, he:

  • Married in 1953
  • Graduated in psychology in 1954
  • Worked in public relations and communications

He also served as chairman of IK Tjalve from 1963 for four years.

Honours

  • Morgenbladet Gold Medal (1953)
  • The King’s Trophy (1954)

Legacy

Audun Boysen remains one of Norway’s most accomplished middle-distance runners — a pioneer of international success and a central figure in the history of athletics at Bislett Stadium.

Source: Store Norske Leksikon