Edward Walsh was an outstanding distance runner for the men's cross country and track and field teams. As a freshman, he helped Manhattan to the 1943 IC4A Cross Country Championship. In 1946, Walsh ran the fastest time by an American in the mile, posting a mark of 4:12, while also winning the IC4A Championship in the mile. He served as a team captain as a senior in 1946-47, and won the Metropolitan mile championship. He also won several individual meet titles.