Charles Christian “Chuck” Hornbostel (September 26, 1911 – January 13, 1989) was an American middle-distance runner and two-time Olympian from Evansville, Indiana. One of the nation’s leading runners of the 1930s, Hornbostel won three consecutive NCAA championships and competed for the United States at the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games.

Evansville and Central High School

Hornbostel was born in Evansville and attended Evansville Central High School, graduating in 1928. Interestingly, he was not yet a nationally recognized runner in high school. He was interested in basketball and initially used running as a way to improve his conditioning.

After high school, Hornbostel worked at a bank in Evansville before attending Indiana University, where he developed into one of the greatest middle-distance runners in school history.

Indiana University

At Indiana, Hornbostel dominated the 800-meter and 880-yard events. He won three consecutive NCAA championships from 1932 through 1934 and captured 10 Big Ten titles during his college career.

In 1933, Hornbostel ran 1:50.9 in the 880-yard NCAA championship, equaling the existing world record. He completed his collegiate career without losing an 800- or 880-yard race.

Hornbostel was inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984.

Olympic Career

Hornbostel represented the United States in the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, finishing sixth in the 800 meters.

Four years later, he returned to the Olympics at the historic 1936 Berlin Games, where he improved to fifth place in the 800-meter final.

Following the Berlin Olympics, Hornbostel participated in an international meet where he was a member of two world-record-setting relay teams on the same day, in the 4×880-yard and 4×mile relays.

During his running career, Hornbostel also held a world record in the indoor 600-yard event.

Legacy

Hornbostel remains one of the most accomplished track athletes produced by Evansville. His career included three NCAA championships, multiple world records and appearances in two Olympic Games.

In 2026, Hornbostel was inducted into the Indiana Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame, recognizing both his achievements as an Olympian and his roots at Evansville Central High School.