Former Army, Kelly Holmes was a tough uncompromising 800 and 1500m runners who had a fantastic career peaking at the Olympic Games in Athens where she won gold in both events. By doing this she became only the third woman of all time to achieve such a feat. Surprisingly Kelly didn’t achieve World or European …
Kriss Akabusi was a 400m hurdles athlete, remembered for not only having a fantastic ability over the jumps or as part of the relay team but for his personality as he was always laughing and joking with others making him one of the most likeable people on the circuit. not only was Kris three times …
Laura Muir is a British middle distance runner who predominately runs 800m to 5000m. She has been crowned 1500m European champion outdoor, the first British woman ever to achieve this in addition to being four times indoor European Champion. Laura is still competing but one who I feel will be remembered for years to come …
Mark Rowland was a 3000m steeplechaser, representing GB at both Olympic and European Championships where he medalled taking Bronze and Silver respectively. Steeplechase is one of those events where TV doesn’t give the exposure too but requires good speed, strength and technical ability by the athlete. Mark still holds the British record for this event …
Ron Hill was a British long distance runner who also was a clothing entrepreneur. Ron broke the 2.10 barrier at the Commonwealth Games, became European Champion and won Boston Marathon back in 1970 in a fantastic running career. Ron also competed in the Olympic Games. Ron was also quite famous for his run streak, of …
Bishop Auckland born Charlie Spedding was a British marathon runner and former Darlington Harrier, who had an excellent career. Charlie won London Marathon back in 1984 as well as picking up a bronze medal at the Los Angeles Olympics that year. This year was probably his best year in the sport as he also won …
Mike McLeod was another local runner (Northumberland) come good. At the peek of his career where he achieved a Silver medal in the 10000m at the Los Angeles Olympics, after the runner who finished 2nd was disqualified for steroid abuse. Years later the winner of that race admitted to blood transfusions during his career and …
Brendan Foster born in Hebburn South Tyneside probably known by many as the man who founded the Great North Run but for many probably don’t remember how good of a runner he was too! European Gold medal winner over 5000m, three times Olympian with a 10000m bronze medal for his efforts and Commonwealth games champion …
Tanni Grey-Thompson is arguably the best of all our British athletes based on 11 Paralympic Gold medals and 2 world championships. Tanni has won our club race, the Pitstop 10km wheelchair race previously so there maybe an element of bias there but you can’t argue with her achievements over 100, 200, 400 and 800m. Here’s …
Best of British couldn’t be complete without including one of own club members. Joy Grieveson was a European silver medallist over 400m. Joy also represented GB at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and the Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately we don’t have any footage of Joy in action but we had to acknowledge her amazing achievements. Some …
Lynn Davies (CBE) was a British track and field athlete, with a specialism in Long Jump, throughout the 1960’s and into early 1970’s. During the period of 1964 to 1970 he became Olympic, European and Commonwealth (twice) champion. Here’s a glimpse of him in action.
British high jumping isn’t a discipline that gets a great deal of coverage on TV as it’s usually dominated by the more glamorous events but Steve Smith helped with that. We’ve had some success amongst our British athletes over the years no more so than Liverpool born Steve Smith, who not only took the British …
Prior to Jess Ennis-Hill and Katarina Johnson-Thompson coming on the scene, Denise Lewis was the darling of the British public as she competed in the heptathlon event throughout the late 1990’s and early nought’s. Throughout her career, she claimed Commonwealth, European and Olympic titles, twice missing the World title but finishing in second place. Now …
Allan Wells was a British sprinter who claimed Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles across 100m, 200m and as part of the 4 x 100m team. A powerful Scotsman, who actually started his career as a triple jumper, switched to sprints with huge success. Here’s the man himself showing off his skills taking Olympic gold …
Colin Jackson was a former 110m hurdle specialist and 100m runner who achieved 21 medals at major championships throughout his career. This impressive haul included 4 European titles (plus 3 indoors), 2 World titles (1 indoor), and an Olympic Silver medal. To add icing to the cake, Colin broke the World record over the 110m …
Geoff Capes was a former British shot putter, strongman, and competitor at the Highland Games. Geoff was a double European indoor champion and picked up four additional medals in these games in his career and a bronze in the outdoor competition in 1974 in Rome. In addition to his European successes he also was double …
Best of British would not be complete without the inclusion of Roger Bannister, famous for being the first man to break the 4 minute mile. Sir Roger Bannister, who sadly passed away in March 2018, was also European champion back in 1954 in the 1500m, which is sometimes overlooked because of his mile achievement. He …
John Regis was a powerful 100/200/400m runner who was often overshadowed by Linford Christie due to some of his achievements. John Regis was a superb athlete, strong, powerful and not only achieved title of European Champion in the 200m in Split, he was a key part of the 4 x 400m team who won gold …
Peter Elliott must feel like Andy Murray does in the tennis world where he would probably have found himself with multiple gold medals and titles if he wasn’t competing in an era where some of the best people in the sport is also competing. Peter, a Yorkshire lad, still managed an Olympic silver medal in …
Like some of the previous middle distance greats, Mo Farah needs no introduction. Six World (10 including indoor), five European (plus 2 indoor) and four Olympic Golds, tells the story. Mo also broke the World 2 mile record, British and European records at 1500m, 3000m (indoor) 5000m (indoor and outdoor) 10000m and both half and …
