Bob Kempainen

Robert Kempainen is an American retired two-time Olympian long-distance runner. He participated in the [Athletics at the Athletics at the 1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Summer Olympics|1992] and in [Athletics at the Athletics at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Summer Olympics|1996] Olympics.
He made his marathon debut in 1991 at the Twin Cities Marathon in Minnesota, where he finished 2nd in 2:12:12. In 1992, he qualified for the Olympic Games by running a 2:12:54 for third place in the Olympic Trials marathon, held in Columbus, Ohio. He finished 2nd at the 1993 New York City Marathon in a time of 2:11:03. His best time for the marathon was 2:08:47 at the 1994 Boston Marathon, where he finished 7th. In 1995, he finished 2nd at the Los Angeles Marathon, in a time of 2:11:59. He was the 1996 Olympic Trials Marathon champion, winning in a time of 2:12:45.
In other USA distance running championships, Kempainen was also the 1990 US National Cross Country Champion.
A graduate of Dartmouth College and University of Minnesota Medical School, Dr. Kempainen currently holds a position at Hennepin County Medical Center where he practices as a pulmonologist and critical care physician, he is also the current course director of Human Health and Disease 1, a second year medical school course at the University of Minnesota.

Achievements