Career
Gärderud experimented with several events before rising to athletic greatness in the 3000 m steeplechase. His first major competition were the 1968 Summer Olympics, where he was eliminated in the heats of 800 m and 1500 m. In the following years, Gärderud concentrated only to the 3000 m steeplechase, and was already a main favourite at the 1972 Summer Olympics, but, suffering from a cold, he was eliminated in his heat.
Gärderud was also eliminated in the heats of the 5000 m at the Olympics, but only seven days later, he set a new 3000 m steeplechase world record of 8:20.8.
At the 1974 European Championships, Gärderud was narrowly beaten by Bronisław Malinowski of Poland, but managed to break the 3000 m steeplechase world record twice in 1975. At first he ran 8:10.4 and only six days later 8:09.8 minutes.
His stirring victory in that event would earn him a share of the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal with cyclist Bernt Johansson. He initially trained in orienteering and changed to athletics by chance – he was banned from running in the woods in autumn 1961 due to a jaundice epidemic and wondered into an athletic hall.
After retiring from competitions Gärderud worked as a television commentator of athletics events and as the head coach of the Swedish women's athletics team