Tell Schirnding Berna (July 24, 1891 – April 5, 1975) was an American middle-distance and

long-distance Long distance or Long-distance may refer to: *Long-distance calling * Long-distance operator * Long-distance relationship * Long-distance train *Long-distance anchor pylon, see dead-end tower Footpaths * Long-distance trail *European long-d ...

runner. His 1912 American record at two miles stood for twenty years. He competed for the United States in the 1912 Summer Olympics held in Stockholm, Sweden in the 3000 metre team where he won the gold medal with his team mates

Norman Taber Norman Stephen Taber (September 3, 1891 – July 15, 1952) was an American middle distance runner. He was the first amateur runner to surpass Walter George's professional record in the mile, set nearly 30 years previously. He also won a bronze ...

and

George Bonhag George Valentine Bonhag (January 31, 1882 – October 30, 1960) was an American athlete and a member of the Irish American Athletic Club and the New York City Police Department. He competed in distance events, both racewalking and running, at t ...

. He also finished fifth in the individual 5000 meters. Berna graduated from

Cornell University Cornell University is a private statutory land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York. It is a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell was founded with the intention to tea ...

in 1912 and was a member of the

Sphinx Head Society The Sphinx Head Society is the oldest senior honor society at Cornell University. Sphinx Head recognizes Cornell senior men and women who have demonstrated respectable strength of character on top of a dedication to leadership and service at Corn ...

. After college, Berna had a career in the machine tool industry; in 1937 he became general secretary of the National Machine Tools Business Association, and he served in that post through World War II. He was serving as general manager of the organization in 1950 when he contributed an article to ''American Affairs''.

References

American male long-distance runners Athletes (track and field) at the 1912 Summer Olympics Cornell University alumni Olympic gold medalists for the United States in track and field 1891 births 1975 deaths People from Pelham Manor, New York Medalists at the 1912 Summer Olympics Olympic cross country runners {{US-athletics-Olympic-medalist-stub