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Scottish Universities Cross-Country Championship, 1965,  Walter Eadie number 33

Gordon Eadie (Cambuslang Harriers) – see full profile

Marathon:  2:25:22   1974

Gordon (born 6/12/1934) was one of the toughest marathon runners at a time when marathon trails were actually run over hilly, hard courses and not fast flat ones.   The marathon was a test of endurance and not of speed over a carefully selected route,  He won the SAAA Marathon in  1960, and was second in 1959  and again in 1966. Gordon finished fourth in the 1962 Ben Nevis race; was overall Scottish Marathon Club champion several times; and also a fine ultra-distance runner, winning the 45 miles Edinburgh to Glasgow three times and setting a new record in 1966.

John Eadie (Shettleston Harriers)

In the 1950 E to G, John was in the Shettleston team that finished second; he won four more silver medals in 1951, 1952 and 1953, when he was fastest on Stage 7, and 1954, when he was fastest on Stage 3. In the Senior National XC, his team finished third in 1952, second in 1953 and became champions in 1954 and 1955.

Walter Eadie (St Modan’s AC, Stirling AC, Strathclyde University)

Walter Eadie started his career with St Modan’s AC, a club which had fostered such runners as Joe McGhee who went on to win Commonwealth gold for the marathon in 1954.   Eadie had several talented team mates such as Tom Brown and Alastair McFarlane (all three were in the same team that was second in the Youths National in 1964).   Eadie progressed through the ranks at St Modan’s  third in the Boys National in 1962, 18th in the Youths race the next year followed by fourth as a second year Youth.   By the time he was a first year Junior in 1965 he was fifth in the Junior National and selected for the ICCU Cross-Country competition in Ostend.   

A big talent that we never saw come to fruition since he emigrated to Canada following graduation.

Derek Easton (St Andrews University, Shettleston, Fife, Falkirk Victoria)

3000m S/chase:  9:11.7   1979,  10000m: 30:53.42   1985;  Marathon:  2:26:53   1982

Stuart Easton  (St Andrews University, Shettleston, Falkirk Victoria)

800m:  1:52.9   1972;  1500m: 3:45.8   1974;  3000m:  8:40.3   1972;  5000m:  14:37.4   1979;   3000m /chase: 9:25.6   1978;   Marathon:  2:23:33   1984.

Mel Edwards, centre, in red

Mel Edwards (Aberdeen GS, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen AAC, Cambridge University, Thames Valley) – see full profile

440y:  51.7   1960;  880y: 1:56.6  1963;  Mile: 4:11.8   1964;  Two Miles:  8:56.2   1967;  Three Miles:  13:48.6   1964;   Six Miles:  28:27.0   1967;   3000m:  8:30.2   1969;  5000m:  14:22.8   1968;  Marathon:  2:18:25   1967

Mel was second in the SAAA Marathon in 1967,   and had been third in SAAA Three Miles in 1964.

James Egan (Larkhall YMCA) – see full profile

1500m:  3:49.06   1984

Hugh Elder  (Dumbarton AAC, Wolverhampton & Bilston)

2000m S/chase:  5:28.2  1972;    3000m S/chase:  9:06.0   1974;  3000m:   8:34.61   191972;  10000m:  31:20.0   1970;  10 Miles:  53:41

Hugh won two medals in the SAAA 3000m S/chase:  he was second in 1971, and third in ’72

Murdoch Elder  (Edinburgh University)

Mile: 4:24.4   1959;  Three Miles:  14:59.0   1960.

Antony Elgie (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, RAF, Cardiff)

100y:  10.1   1963;  220y:  2.3   1961:    440y:  48.9   1962;   880y:  1:52.4   1967;  800m: 1:53.5   1969;   1500m: 3:58.3  1969

Second SAAA 440y  in 1962

Ian Elliot (Teviotdale Harriers, Edinburgh Southern Harriers)

1500m: 3:49.5   1973;   3000m: 8:08.6   1977;  5000m: 14:14.4   1978;  10000m: 29:55.0   1977;  3000m S/chase: 8:53.2   1977;   Marathon:  2:23:20  1983

Ian was another Teviotdale Harrier, an elegant athlete who later switched allegiance to ESH.    In 1966 he showed early promise by winning the East District Senior Boys title.   He was running for ESH by 1973 when he led them to team bronze in the Senior National.   This was followed by silver in 1974, 1977 and 1978, and gold in 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1984.   Ian was ninth in 1979 and very disappointed not to make his debut in the World Cross.   He proved the selectors wrong by winning the East District CC later that year.   The Scottish Cross-Country Relay was a successful event for Ian Elliot, who won gold in 1975, 1978, 1981, 1982 and bronze in 1984.   In addition he won two more team golds (1981 and 1982) in the Scottish Six-Stage Road Relay.

David Ellis (St Andrews University, Fife AC)

1500m: 3:58.7  1982;   3000m S/chase:  9:48.7   1981

The Ellis Brothers: Norrie, Jimmy and Syd

James Ellis , Syd Ellis and Norrie Ellis (all Victoria Park) 

The three Ellis brothers were as much part of the great Victoria Park teams in the 1950’s as their better known team mates such as Ian Binnie, the Forbes brothers, Bobby Calderwood and company.   Only one was selected for Scotland in the International XC championships, and that was Jimmy, the oldest, in 1951, when he also won the Scottish 6 Miles title.   They amassed 13 medals in the Edinburgh to Glasgow between 1949 and 1956 – Jimmy had 4 gold and 2 silver, Norrie had 4 gold and 1 silver and Syd had 2 golds.   Medals were not as prolific on the country given the club’s strength in that department nevertheless Jimmy, the oldest, had 3 gold and 2 silver while Syd, the youngest only had 1 silver.   They supported the club teams well in all the races during the winter road and country season and competed individually over the summer.   What with the Ellises and the Forbes brothers, Victoria Park were well served by the family connections at the time.

J Christopher Elson (Edinburgh University, Rotherham, Octavians)

One Mile:  4:10.9   1964

Chris ‘The Bear’ Elson was, along with Fergus Murray, a huge influence on the hard training schedule that brought such success to the marvellous EU teams of the mid-1960s. Alan Simpson, another Rotherham runner, who was to finish a valiant fourth in the 1964 Olympic 1500m and win a silver medal in the 1966 Commonwealth Games, had shown Chris how much effort was required. In the Senior National XC, EU finished third in 1965 and won the team title in 1967. In the E to G, Chris featured in three winning teams: 1965 (breaking the course record); 1966 (when he was fastest on Stage 8); and 1967.

Brian Emmerson  (Teviotdale Harriers)

Marathon:  2:22:14   1984

Gareth Evans (Edinburgh University)

800m:  1:54.4  1963 ;  880 yards:  1:55.6   1964;  1 Mile:  4:12.8   1965;  3000m S/chase: 9:56.4   1965

Gareth was a student at Edinburgh between 1962 and 1965 and was a member of the team when it was beginning to be a serious contender for major medals in the 60’s.   A regular member of the team he was second counter in 1965 when EU was third in the national.   On the track he was the team’s first string over 880 yards from 1963 and finished second in the Scottish Universities championship in 1965.   He was third in the Mile in the East v West at Pitreavie in 4:12.8.

James Evans (Shettleston Harriers, Falkirk Victoria Harriers)

1500m:  3:58.2  1978;  5000m: 14:55.2  1978;  10000m:  31:47.14   1990;   2000m S/chase: 5:42.3   1978;  3000m S/chase:  8:57.6   1978

With Shettleston, Jim won several team medals: Senior National XC gold in 1977 and bronze in 1978; 1976 Scottish XC Relay silver; and E to G bronze in 1978. With Falkirk, he added 1985 E to G bronze (or silver if you discount the mixed team ‘The Kangaroos’, as you should); and 1982 Scottish 6 Stage Road Relay silver.

Graham Everett (Shettleston Harriers, Edinburgh Southern Harriers) – see full profile

880y: 1:51.4   1960;  Mile:  4:02.8   1960;  Two Miles:  8:38.2   1961;  Three Miles:  13:47.6   1961;  1500m:  3:48.8   1959;   3000m: 8:04.0  1961;  5000m:  14:34.0  1960

Graham was a very talented, and also very popular athlete who won SAAA One Mile title in 1959, 60, 61, 63 and 64.

Graham Everett

James Ewing (Bellahouston Harriers)

880y:  1:53.5  1964;  Mile:  4:08.2   1967;  Two Miles:  9:30.0   1964;  Three Miles: 13:50.0  1968;  300m:  8:45.0  1970;  5000m: 14:47.8   1970

John Ewing (Bellahouston Harriers)

Mile:  4:11.2   1962;  Two Miles:  9:18.4   1962

William Ewing (Aberdeen University, Aberdeen AAC, Thames Valley) – see full profile

880y: 1:55.1   1955;  1500m: 3:49.7  1965;  Mile: 4:07.6   1966;  Two Miles:  9:00.0   1967;  Three Miles:  14:16.0   1965; 2000m S/chase: 5:37.8   1968;  3000m S/chase:  8:47.8   1968

SAAA:  1st  3000S  1967,   2nd 3000S  1968, 3rd Mile  1963,   3rd 3000S  1966,  3rd  3000S 1969, 3rd 3000S 1970.

William Ewing (Pitreavie)

10000m:  32:34.1    1979

Bill Ewing, Aberdeen

John Exley, Edinburgh University

Like Dave Taylor, John often featured in the second team at EU, since the first team men were Scottish Senior National XC champions! However he showed real promise and may well have won team bronze in the 1968 Junior National XC. He did run the E to G in 1968, when EU finished 7th. Earlier that year he was one of the six-man EU team that shattered all records for running up the stairs to the top of the Post Office Tower in London. Many years later, he won British Veteran titles and ran frequently for victorious English teams in the British and Irish Masters International XC.

The Enschede Marathon, 1977.   Many Scots here: Willie Day, Jim Dingwall, Sandy Keith, Colin Youngson …

Andrew Daly (Bellahouston Harriers)   –  see  full profile

3000m S/chase:  9:59.7   1979;   5000m: 14:49.94   1981;   Marathon:  2:15:47   1985

Duncan Davidson  (Forres)

Marathon:  2:35:10   1971

Duncan was North District XC champion in 1967 and ran well many road races, road-relays and marathons. He was a very well known character in Elgin and Moray; and a good friend of Alastair Wood and Steve Taylor.

John C (Jack) Davidson  (Ayr Seaforth AC)

880y:  1:55.4   1963;  One Mile:  4:25.0  1963

1963:  second in SAAA 880 yards

John Davidson  (Corby Town, Kettering)

1500m:  3:56.8   1971;  3000m: 8:23.2   1971

John also had a connection with Monkland Harriers, finishing ninth in the Junior National (when they won the team title) and running in the Edinburgh to Glasgow in 1973.    That team finished eighth and won the ‘most meritorious medals’ with Jim Brown, Ronnie McDonald, Tom Callaghan, Ian Gilmour, Joe Small, Willie and Eddie Devlin. 

Gwynn Davis (Edinburgh University, Aberystwyth)  –  Wales

800m:  1:52.5   1972;   1500m: 3:47.4   1972;  One Mile:  4:11.2   1972

William Day (Falkirk Victoria Harriers) – see full profile

3000m:  8:42.4   1971;   5000m:  14:51.2   1974;   10000m:  29:59.6   1972;    3000m S/chase  9:38.5   1979; 10 Miles:  50:01.0   1975;  Marathon:  2:17:56   1977  

Jim Devine (Edinburgh Southern Harriers)

800m:  1:53.16   1983

Eddie Devlin (Strathclyde University, Monkland Harriers, Clyde Valley AAC)

3000m S/chase:  9:07.2   1978;   5000m:  14:42.6   1975

Eddie Devlin was an extremely versatile runner, competing successfully in all distances from 800m through to  the marathon. Surprisingly, he only appears in the ranking lists in the 3000m steeplechase, 9^th place in 1978.   On the roads & country he was a consistent & reliable performer, more often than not producing a solid performance on the first leg of relays.

He was a member of the Clyde Valley AAC team which won the S.C.C.U. National Cross Country Relay Championship in 1977 & ’79. He competed in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay on no less than sixteen occasions for Strathclyde Univ., Monkland Harriers & Clyde Valley, picking up 2 gold, 1 silver & 3 bronze medals.

In the Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay, he ran every year from 1969 to 1984 inclusive (16 races) for three teams: Strathclyde University, Monkland Harriers and Clyde Valley AAC.   In 1980 he had fastest time on the seventh stage. 

J Devlin  (Edinburgh Eastern Harriers)

Three Miles:  14:36.4   1959;   Six Miles:  31:31.9   1959.

Roddy Devon (Motherwell YMCA Harriers, Clyde Valley AAC)

Roddy ran the Edinburgh to Glasgow for Motherwell in 1933, probably in 1934-1936, and certainly in 1937-39. In June 1946, he completed the very first Scottish Marathon championship. Roddy was a committee member of the Scottish Marathon Club and later became Vice-President. He joined the SVHC when it was formed in 1970 and served as an invaluable official for many years. In the very first SVHC Cross-Country in 1971, he finished third M60. Then in 1979 he was first M70.  In 1979/80 Roddy was President of the SCCU with his club listed as Scottish Veteran Harriers.   His love of the sport was evidenced when he was beaten up in the street in the late 1970’s, suffered a fractured skull and after he recovered he ran again in vets races. 

Francis W (Frank) Dick  (Royal HSFP, Edinburgh Southern, Edinburgh University, Octavians, Loughborough)

880 yards:  1:54.7   1962

Barry Dickson (Ayrshire, Stirling University)

400m:  50.2   1975;  800m:  1:52.7   1977

Desmond Dickson (Bellahouston Harriers)

One Mile:  4:20.2  1959;  Two Miles  9:33.0   1959; Three Miles:   14:52.3  1959;  Six Miles:  30:48.0   1959

In the very good Bellahouston Harriers team of the late 1950’s and early 60’s Des Dickson was a fixture.   His first run in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay was for the winning team in November, 1958, when he ran the fastest time of the day on Stage Seven.   He ran in seven races winning two silvers to add to his collection.   He also ran in the National Cross-Country Championships six times as a senior with his best race being in March 1958 when he finished ninth.   He was selected for the international with two of his Bellahouston team mates, Joe Connolly who was sixth and Harry Fenion who was eighth.   He won several silver medals for the national but unfortunately the gold eluded him.  

George Dickson (Garscube Harriers)

George was a good cross-country and road runner in themid/late 1950’s for Garscube Harriers when they had such athletes as Alex Kidd, Arthur Warton, Stan Horn and Gordon Dunn.   He first appears in the National results in 1953 when he was 12th in the Youths race; by 1956 he was fifth Junior and the following year he was 30th in the Senior event.   As for the other ‘biggie’, he ran in four Edinburgh to Glasgow Relays on third, fourth, sixth and eighth stages performing well on each and picking up a total of four places and never losing one.   Like many other athletes at the time, he disappeared suddenly in his early Twenties: possibly because he went to do his National Service or maybe he just gave up the sport but he was a good runner.

William Dickson  (Law and District)

Marathon:  2:25:23   1983

Billy Dickson was a member of several good Law and District teams in the 1980’s along with well known names like Hugh Forgie, Doug Frame and Jim Thomson.

Jim Dingwall (Heriot’s, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh AC, Falkirk Victoria, City of Hull) – see full profile.

800m:  1:56.1   1974;  1500m: 3:45.8   1973; 3000m:  7:57.8   1975;  5000m:  13:48.0   1975;   10000m:  28:45.25  1978; Marathon:  2:11:44   1983.

John Diver (Clydebank AAC)

800m:  1:52.3   1983

Graham Diverty (Victoria Park) 

Graham represented his club in the 1984 Scottish Six-Stage Road Relay; and, between 1979 and 1984, ran well 5 times in the E to G. They finished third in 1980. Graham’s father was the well-known official Willie Diverty, who did so much for Scottish Universities cross-country teams.

P Dixon

Marathon:  2:37:11   1982

Tom Dobbin (Greenock Glenpark Harriers, Spango Valley AAC)

880y:   1:56.5   1964 and 1965

Tom was top class half miler with Glenpark in the 1960’s who won the British Youths Half Mile Championship at Crystal Palace and seemed to have a great career ahead of him. He also ran cross country for the club in some very good young athletes teams locally and nationally. For Spango Valley, he contributed to team silver in the 1979 Scottish Cross-Country Relay; and ran the Edinburgh to Glasgow in 1978 and 1979.  After taking some years out because of business commitments, he returned as a veteran runner.

Ian G Docherty (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, St Andrews University)

Three Miles:  14:37.8   1962;  Six Miles:  1965

Ian was part of the successful St Andrews University track and field team of the 1950’s that won gold medals in the 1958 Scottish National Junior XC championship. They finished 7th in the 1959 E to G, an event in which Ian later ran for Dundee Hawkhill Harriers. 

James Docherty (Victoria Park)

800m:  1:55.69   1982;   1500m:  3:59.8   1978

James Doig  (Aberdeen AAC) – see full profile

10000m:  30:34.0   1990;   Marathon:  2:17.58

Paul Dugdale leads Adrian Weatherhead, Mark Wallace and Jim Orr

Steven Doig (Fife Southern, Old Gaytonians, Clydesdale Harriers)

1500:  3:44.7   1986;   One Mile: 4:01.02   1990;   3000m:  8:11.6   1990;   5000m:  14:10.9   1990

Steven was a very talented runner who first ran in the National Cross Country championships in 1983 in the Youths age group.   He went on to win Scottish international honours on the track as well as over the country where he was unlucky not to be selected for the international event in New York.   After graduation he moved down to live and work in Harrow for several years where he ran for Shaftesbury and then Old Gaytonians, training with Bob Parker’s group.   Before he graduated, he had travelled to London and run his first sub-3:45 1500m defeating several good class runners such as James Espir in the process. There were also several good victories in road races including the Round the Walls in Berwick.   Almost all of his best track times were run during the period in England before he returned to Scotland.  His best mile time of 4:01 saw him win from Tim Hutchings.  He also ran in the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay for Clydesdale Harriers, the most memorable run being on the second stage in 1990 when he moved the team from 13th to sixth with the fourth fastest time of the day.   He is now a highly rated coach at Pitreavie and at Fife with very good athletes in all the upper age ranges.

Philip Dolan (Clydesdale Harriers) – see full profile

3000m:  8:42.2   1972;   5000m:  14:17.4   1977;  10000m:  30:07.8   1979;   10 Miles: 51:00.6   1975;  Marathon: 2:21:59   1977

Terry Dolan (Cambuslang Harriers) 

Terry won two M55 gold medals, in the 2001 and 2002 Scottish Masters Cross-Country championships. He was part of the Cambuslang team which finished second in 1989. Running for Scotland in the British and Irish Masters Cross-Country International, Terry contributed to several team medals: 1988 M45 silver;1992 M45 gold; and 2002 M55 silver.

Andrew Donachie  (Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, Glasgow University)

800m:  1:52.76   1989;   3000m S/chase:  9:34.8   1991

Neil Donachie (Rover Scouts, Braidburn AAC, Edinburgh AC)

880y:  1:54.2   1963;   One Mile:  4:25.4   1959.

Neil Donachie has had a long and distinguished career in Scottish athletics as a runner, then as an official and administrator.   He started out as a member of the Edinburgh Rovers and Scouts club as a Youth in 1949/50.   The Rovers and Scouts became Braidburn AC in 1952/53 and then in the early 1960’s Edinburgh AC was formed.   Neil remained a member through both amalgamations and changes of name.   A good cross-country and road runner who turned out Edinburgh to Glasgow relays as well as National championships, Neil was principally a track runner who specialised in the half mile distance.   He ran all over Scotland in scratch as well as handicap races – at Murrayfield for the prestigious Edinburgh Highland Games, at Bridge of Allan for the historic Strathallan Gathering and all sorts of meetings.   He ran well in championships and was third in the SAAA 880 yards championship in 1959.   In that year he was ranked sixth in the country with 1:54.6 which was one place behind Graham Everett and one in front of Bruce Tulloh.   Both well known names and so it was until 1963 when he was ninth equal with Dick Hodelet, another famous name) on 1:54.2 which was to be his personal best for the distance.

After his running career, Neil’s love of the sport led him into administration and officiating.   He worked at club level, at District and at National levels as both administrator and official with a serious appetite for work.  He travels all over the country as a valuable member of any team.

Ian C Donald (Shettleston Harriers, Clydesdale Harriers)

Six Miles:  30:26.0   1967;  10 Miles:  52:04.0   1967

Ian Donald joined Shettleston Harriers as a Youth (U17) and, in addition to winning the club championship twice, won team gold, silver and bronze in the Edinburgh to Glasgow and National cross-country championships.   A first class hill runner, he won many of the classic hill races between Goatfell and the West Highlands and was fourth in the Ben Nevis Race.   Moving to Clydesdale Harriers in 1964 he was an ever-present in their teams until his untimely death in 1980.   He ran particularly well in their hill running teams with the Shields brothers, Pat Younger and many more whom he inspired to take up the sport.

Colin Donnelly (Cambuslang Harriers)  – see full profile

Tom Donnelly (Aberdeen University, Bellahouston Harriers)

Marathon:  2:27:33   1981

David Donnet (Springburn Harriers, Glasgow University, Wolverhamptom & Bilston)

800m:  1:53.1   1989;  1500m:  3:47.5   1990;  3000m: 8:05.1   1990;  5000m: 14:10.5   1990; 

David was a good athlete who never seemed to get the credit he deserved for the running that he did.   His best run in the National championship was probably in 1987 when he was third in the Junior race behind Alaister Russell and Tom Hanlon and won selection for the IAAF world cross country championship in Warsaw.   This was Scotland’s last appearance in this championship as an independent nation, and David was Scotland’s fourth placer. He contributed to Springburn silver and bronze medals in the Scottish XC Relay; and gold in the 1988 6 Stage Road Relay.  Unfortunately, soon after his debut as a Senior athlete, he left the country for business reasons.

Tom Donoghue (Edinburgh Southern)

3000m S/chase:  9:59.9   1982

Alastair Douglas leads Richie Barrie

Alistair Douglas (Victoria Park AAC, Glasgow University) – see full profile

1500m:  3:51.0  1979;  3000m: 8:07.47 i   1988;  5000m: 14:07.78  1985;  10000m:  29:29.39   1988

Craig Douglas  (Teviotdale Harriers, Edinburgh Southern Harriers) – see full profile

440y:  49.8   1965;  400m;  51.3   1971; 880y:  1:49.9   1966;  800m:  1:50.2   1971; One Mile:  4:01.8   1970;  1500m:  3:47.0  1971; Two Miles:  9:18.2 i   1972;  5000m:  14:36.2   1974.

Sam Downie (Falkirk Victoria Harriers)

3000m:  8:45.0  1971;  10000m:  31:05.0   1971

Sam Downie was a very good athlete indeed who just exploded on the distance running scene in 1970/71, ran very well indeed and then, just as suddenly disappeared.   That he had talent, there is no doubt.   eg in the 1972 national he was 14th ahead of (in order) A Wight, P Maclagan, A Faulds, N Morrison, C Youngson, W Day, M Patterson, J Dingwall …;  the following year he was 18th, just behind Dingwall and just in front of team mate Willie Day.   And that was it.  In the East District XC, he won the Junior title in 1971 and the Senior title in 1972.

Charles Doyle (Greenock Wellpark Harriers)

Marathon:  2:39:4   1980

Joe Doyle   (Victoria Park AAC)

To the best of my knowledge, Joe never won any major championship but Joe typified the 1945 – 90 era in Scottish distance running.   He ran everywhere, in everything that mattered and in some events that didn’t.  He represented his club in the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay, not an easy selection to get, as well as in just about every cross-country and road race on the calendar.  On the track, his most frequent races in track league were in the steeplechase although he ran where his club needed him.   He knew everybody and everybody knew and respected him.   A hard training, hard racing and loyal club runner.  

William Drysdale (Monkland Harriers, Law and District) – see full profile

Six Miles:  30:09.2   1967;   Ten Miles:  51:50.0  1967;  One Hour:  17, 408 metres; 

Third SAAA 10 miles in 1966

Willie became an invaluable member of the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club, winning cross-country medals into his 80s and helping out in a range of official posts.

JJ Duffy (Garscube Harriers)

Joe Duffy’s first race was in a Youths’ event in 1946 when he finished seventh, and a year later he was fourth.   In the National that year he finished well back on a snowy course.   The Dunbartonshire championships were held two weeks later and he won from team mate Robert Smith.  After being called-up for national service twelve weeks before the Scottish Novice Championships, he surprised everybody by winning it by a clear ten seconds from Walter Lennie of the Vale of Leven.   These were to be the highlights of his running on the country and he ran in the National until 1951.   He raced more frequently in the Edinburgh to Glasgow between May 1949 and 1953 running on stages 1, 2, 5 and 6.   

John Duffy [  Hadleigh Olympiads]  – see full profile

Jock Duffy won the SAAA Marathon in 1953 having taken silver in 1952. 

John Duffy (Greenock Wellpark, Spango Valley)

10000m: 30:59.0   1986;  Marathon:  2:18:44   1987

Second in the SAAA marathon 1992. Ran for Scotland in the 1988 Anglesea 4 Nations Marathon. Won the Inverclyde Marathon in 1985, 1990 and 1992. Later became a successful veteran athlete, winning medals at European level. 

Patrick Duffy (Greenock Glenpark Harriers, Edinburgh Southern Harriers)

400m:  50.0   1978 800m:  1:51.96   1990;   1500m:  3:51.2    1990

Pat Duffy was a very good and competitive middle distance runner who ran cross-country and road for his club – he was as likely to be seen at The McAndrew or Edinburgh to Glasgow relays as at most track meets.   Mainly a track runner, he was a staunch member of Glenpark who joined ESH to run in the British League where he ran with distinction for the Edinburgh club.   Domestically he was second in the SAAA 800m in 1990 and third in 1986.

Peter Duffy (Aberdeen AAC, Motherwell YMCA)

Six Miles: 31:16.8 1966; Ten Miles: 53:31.0 1969; Ten Miles Road: 51.27 1968;   Marathon:  2:32.52 1969.

Peter Duffy is a unique character, tough and cheerfully irrepressible, who ran for Aberdeen AAC (until 1965) and Motherwell YMCA (from 1966). With Aberdeen, he won two team silver medals (1964 and 1965) in the Scottish Senior National XC – and finished 22nd both times. In the E to G he secured two bronze medals – in 1963 with Aberdeen and in and 1966 with Motherwell; and another silver back with Aberdeen in 1972.  He trained with and learned from the best: after training and racing with Alastair Wood, Steve Taylor and Don Ritchie at Aberdeen, he went on to run with John Graham (who remembers him fondly) at Motherwell) and Fraser Clyne. Peter won an SAAA  silver medal for the Track Ten Miles in 1966 and  Marathon bronze in 1969. For 55 years he was a keen hill runner: on Ben Nevis, 8 consecutive times under 2 hrs between 1962 and 1969, twice 8th finisher, with a best time 1.51.01 (twice first to the top but his descending was less skilful). Peter was 9th in the 1972 Three peaks and won the Cairngorm race in 1961, taking ten minutes off the record. For many years he tackled the World Mountain Veteran championships from the first one in 2001 until he was 79 years old in 2014 – unfortunately 80 year olds are not allowed to take part.

Paul Dugdale (Dundee University, Horwich RMI)  ENG

10000m:  30:21.49  1987  

Second SAAA 5000  1990, 3rd in 1991

David Duguid (Aberdeen AAC)

10000m:  31:04.8  1989;  3000m S/chase:  9:13.9   1987

Robert  O Duncan (Aberdeen)

One Mile 4:24.0   1960;  Three Miles:  14:32.6   1961;   Six Miles:  30:55.0   1960

Along with Steve Taylor, Bobby was an important part of  Aberdeen AAC’s early successes. He contributed to two team silver medals (1962 and 1964) in the Scottish Senior National XC championships. In the E to G, Aberdeen finished 6th in 1960 and secured the ‘most improved’ medals; and were third in 1963, with Bobby recording the fastest time on Stage 8.

Gordon Dunn (Garscube Harriers, Victoria Park AAC)

Gordon Dunn was a member of Garscube Harriers in the 1950’s.   A good runner he he was 5th in the Junior National in 1953 and in his third year as a senior he finished sixth in the senior national and was selected for the international fixture.  In the Edinburgh to Glasgow he ran on the fourth and first stages before settling on the second where he ran well in ’53, ’54 and ’55.   Then in 1957/58, the season after his international appearance, he switched to Victoria Park AAC for who he ran the fastest seventh stage in the Edinburgh to Glasgow in November 1957 winning gold, and in the National in March 1958 he was the club’s third counter, finishing ahead of Calderwood, Binnie and Kane, helping the team to gold medals.   After that brief flourish for Victoria Park, Dunn  did not appear again in the results for either Victoria Park or Garscube Harriers.  

Graeme Grant at Cowal

Gerard M. GAFFNEY (20.11.55)  Greenock Wellpark
1978 10,000m; 33.16.2; 1979 Marathon 2.24.09
Probably Gerry’s best run as a senior athlete was when he finished a very respectable 6th in the 1979 Scottish Marathon championship. In the E to G he ran the important Stage Six between 1980 and 1982.
In the Scottish Veterans XC championships Gerry won M40 silver in 1996; and later that year was first Scot (6th overall) in the annual British and Irish 5 Nations Masters International XC, leading his team to second place. In that event he was in the top ten three times and won three team silver medals. In 2001, he finished 4th M45 in the International and his team achieved a rare Scottish victory. Even in 2012, Gerry was still going strongly – 5th M55 and another team silver.

Andy GALLAGHER, Maryhill Harriers, brother of Mike who, like many another, was a seriously talented runner who never fulfilled his potential.  He was a good road runner, a very good track man (particularly in the steeplechase) and an even better cross-country man.   Represented his club in all the championships and team races.

Billy GALLAGHER (Vale of Leven AAC) was a good club runner who ran in championships and in Edinburgh to Glasgow races in the 1960’s (in 1961 he picked up one place (7th to 6th) on the second stage with the team which featured Lachie Stewart, Pat Moy and Hughie McErlean..   

Joseph GALLAGHER, Spango Valley AAC

After racing the E to G for Spango many times, including 7th place and the ‘most improved’ awards in 1981, he was part of the team which won thoroughly deserved bronze medals in the 1984. In the 1983 Scottish 6 Stage Road Relay, he had secured another bronze. 

Mike GALLAGHER,  Maryhill Harriers

Mike, brother of Andy, was a runner who never seemed to get the credit that was his due.   He often finished high up in the national cross-country championships, wa a solid track runner and ran on the road – Edinburgh to Glasgow as well as all the well known events such as the McAndrew Relay, the Nigel Barge, the GU Road Race, the Allan Scally Relay, etc.   As a marathon runner he ran in the Essonne Marathon in the mid-80’s as well as in domestic races like the SAAA Championships.

Willie GALLAGHER, Vale of Leven AAC, Shettleston Harriers

Willie was one of the founder-members of the Vale of Leven AAC in 1949.   The club had several very good runners such as Pat Moy, Walter Lennie, Alex McDougall and latterly Lachie Stewart.   Willie was one of the best and won many races.   Willie Gallagher was the team manager’s dream athlete.   He ran – and ran well – in everything: he ran in county relays and championships, in District relays and championships, he ran in the National Championships and in the Edinburgh to Glasgow and he ran on the track, on the roads and even in the Ben Nevis hill race.   And he never seemed to miss big chunks of time because he was injured either.   He was very unfortunate not to have been selected for the Scottish cross-country team just missing out twice when he was ninth.   Part of that problem of course was the shortage of international fixtures in the post-war period when there was really only one fixture and another reason was the very high quality of all of the athletes around at the time.    He left the club  for a year and ran for Shettleston in season 1954/55 when he won a silver in the Edinburgh to Glasgow.

Frank E. GAMWELL (28.11.43)  Edinburgh Univ, Pitreavie, Ilford, Perth Strathtay
One Mile 4.19.0 (1965) 3 Miles 14.17.8 (1967) 6 Miles 29.33.0 (1967) Steeplechase 9.35.4 (1967) Marathon 2.35.14 (1994 – aged 51)
Frank was a valuable member of the illustrious mid-1960s Edinburgh University team. In the 1964 E to G, EU secured silver medals. One real highlight was in the 1965 event, when EU broke the race record and won gold. Frank took them into the lead when he was fastest on Stage Five. Another great day was in the 1966 Senior National XC, when the students finished first in the team contest.

Brian GARDNER  Clyde Valley
10,000m 30.58.0 (1984)
Other best times were: 1:57 (800m), 3:57 (1500m), 8:28 (3,000m), 14:44 (5,000m).
In the Senior National XC, Brian was part of the CV squad which won team silver in 1982. 
As a Veteran (or ‘Master’), Brian’s greatest moment was winning the ‘home’ international Cross Country (M45) at Croydon in 2004. He went on to win the European Cross-Country Championship in Sweden. Brian also achieved Scottish veteran track and XC titles; and, at British level, two gold medals for M45 5000m championship and Road 10 Miles. In addition, he has been successful at Modern Triathlon and Open Water swimming.

James GARVEY, St Modan’s AAC, Vale of Leven

He was a good long-distance road runner; who also ran the E to G for the Vale 6 times, including 1955, when 5th place ensured the ‘most meritorious’ medals and 1956, when his team was fourth. He completed the 1959 Ben Nevis race in a respectable 23rd place.   Later in his career he moved to the stirling area and joined St Modan’s AC and ran in many of the Scottish Marathon Club road races including the marathon itself, and the Strathallan 20 miles+.

William GAULD  Carnethy Hill Runners
Bill won two Scottish Masters XC titles: M55 in 1991 and M60 in 1995. However, his main love was hill racing – he continued to run many events into his late seventies. Here are some of his impressive achievements. Bill was: British Fell Running Over 50 Champion in 1985, 1986, and 1987; Scottish Over 50 Hill Running Champion 1989 and 1991; World Over 65 Mountain Running Champion 2001 and World Over 70 Mountain Running Champion 2003.

David GEDDES (12.07.56)  Garscube Harriers
Marathon 2.27.18 (1981)

David is a very popular runner who competes in every championship for his club and in many open races too.   He is a solid, very good, reliable club runner as his marathon time shows.

Douglas GEMMELL Clydesdale Harriers
5000m 14.53.4 (1971); 10.000m 30.53.0 (1972); Marathon 2.29.02 (1974).
A calm, sensible, determined, thoughtful individual, in the E to G, Douglas ran for his team nearly every year between 1965 and 1982, usually on the classy Second Stage. He never ever lost a single place in any of his many appearances.  In 1970, Clydesdale finished fifth and won the ‘most meritorious’ medals. He was also successful in Highland Games road races; and ran for SCCU in representative cross-country matches.
Douglas made a startling comeback as a veteran athlete in 1996, when he won the Scottish M50 XC title and finished an excellent second individual in the British Masters XC championship. In 1997, he contributed to M50 team silver when running for Scotland in the annual British and Irish Masters 5 Nations International XC.

Nigel GEMMELL (30.09.63)  Southampton & Eastleigh, Gala
3000m 8.17.7 (1986) 5000m 14.19.5 (1991) 10,000m 30.22.30 (1992) Steeplechase 9.14.6 (1993)
Nigel appeared in the Scottish rankings between 1981 and 1994.

Graham R. GETTY (10.05.60) Strathclyde Univ, Bellahouston, Shaftesbury Barnet, Cambuslang – see full profile
14.42.4 (1990); 30.43.66 (1988;) Marathon 2.19.24 (1984).

With Strathclyde University, enthusiastic Graham won team gold medals in the 1979 Junior National, when he was 12th individual.
With Bellahouston Harriers, Graham won team silver in: the 1983 E to G: and the 1987 Senior National; as well as bronze in the 1984 Six Stage Relay.
With Cambuslang, he secured another silver in the 1989 E to G, won national team CC champs 1989 and 1992.

With Shaftesbury, he won Southern Cross-Country team: 1991; won southern 12 stage road relay 1986 and 1992; 2^nd in national 12 stage road relay  1991 and 4^th team in National CC champs 1991.

Marathon running suited him well: third place in the 1985 Scottish championship; and running for Scotland in an international team match included in that year’s Glasgow Marathon.

Colin Youngson (1), Evan Cameron (3) and Graham Getty (2)

AC GIBSON, Hamilton Harriers

Alex was a very highly respected runner when I first came into the sport in the 1950’s.   It was no wonder because when all the big prizes were going to the big clubs, his record at Hamilton Harriers was incredibly consistent.   Between 1950 and 1960, his record in the National Cross-Country championships was  10th,  7th,  8th, 6th, 9th,  10th,  14th,  20th,   – ,  12th and 20th,   This led to four international vests in the ICCU Cross-Country Championships in 1951, ’52, ’53,  and ’54.   In the Edinburgh to Glasgow between 1949 and 1954 he ran the sixth stage every year and turned in the following times – 5th fastest, 5th fastest, 4th fastest, 3rd fastest and 5th fastest.  Remember this was on the arguably most difficult stage at the time when Ian Binnie, Joe McGhee, Joe Connolly and company were contesting the stage.   

Alan GIBSON (8.06.51)  Hutchesons’ GS, Glasgow Univ, Shettleston
800m 1.53.4 (1969)

Archibald GIBSON Hamilton Harriers
He was third in the 1948 Scottish 3 Miles championship. In cross-country, he was a Senior International athlete four times in succession, between 1951 and 1954. His best placing in the Senior National XC was sixth in 1953; when he went on to run a fine race to finish 31st (but third Scot) in the International XC.

Douglas GIBSON, Falkirk Victoria Harriers

Douglas was in the team which finished third in the 1980 Scottish Six Stage Relay. He ran the E to G three times from 1978 to 1980.

George GIBSON (9.08.60) Kilbarchan
800m 1.51.8 (1990) 1500m 3.56.5 (1992)
George was a popular athlete on the endurance scene taking part successfully on all surfaces.   A member of the British Milers Club he competed in many top class races.  He appeared in the Scottish rankings between 1985 and 1996. He was a Scottish International track athlete, indoors (1989 – 800m) and outdoors (1993 – 3000m).    He ran the E to G twelve times for Kilbarchan, gaining team bronze medals in 1997 and silver in 1998.   He was the father of Claire Gibson a Scottish international 800m runner.

Hugh GIBSON, Hamilton Harriers
Hugh ran in the first post-war Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay in May 1949 and four more up to 1954. In 1956 he ran a fast ten mile road race. As a veteran, he won many medals in the Scottish Masters Cross-Country Championships: M50 bronze in 1986 and silver in 1987; M55 gold in 1989 and silver in 1988, 1990 and 1992; M60 silver in 1995; and M65 silver in 1998, 2000 and 2002. Hugh won the Scottish M70 title in 2003; and added a final silver medal in 2004. Running frequently for Scotland in the British and Irish Masters International XC championships, Hugh specialised in contributing to team silver medals – at M60, M65 and M70 (three times). Individually, he finished second M70 in both 2002 and 2003: great achievements in this competitive 5 Nations battle. Altogether, Hugh Gibson enjoyed an extremely long and satisfying running career.

James A. (Jimmy) GIBSON, Maryhill Harriers

Jimmy ran the E to G nine times between 1951 and 1962. He joined the Scottish Marathon Club in 1952 and served in the committee for many years after 1963. Jimmy was a consistently good long-distance road runner, winning races like the 1958 Bute Highland Games 18; and the 1960 Brechin Right of Way 12; as well as placing highly in many other events: for example Dunblane, Cumnock and Clydebank to Helensburgh. He featured in SMC select teams for Cross-Country matches; and was seventh in the 1959 Scottish Marathon championship.

Stuart W. GIBSON [NI] (27.06.58) Edinburgh University, Edinburgh AC, Hunters Bog Trotters
1.49.6 (1977); 3.49.63 (1979); 3000m 8.17.6 (1979).
Stuart was a popular, gentle man who possessed considerable athletic talent. He finished third in the 1981 Scottish championship 1500m but was also successful in cross country (team bronze in the 1979 Junior National XC) and road races. Stuart ran the E to G several times: for EU; and for the infamously sociable brown-vested Trotters, including 1990, when they finished 8th and won the ‘most improved’ medals.

Thomas GIBSON  Bellahouston Harriers
Before WW2 Thomas finished third individual in the 1938 Senior National XC championships. His team won bronze in 1936 and 1938 and gold in 1939; another gold in 1947 and silver in 1948.
He ran for Scotland in the International XC in 1938, a feat he repeated after the War, in 1946.
In the E to G, Bellahouston won in 1936 (with Thomas fastest on Stage 4); were third in 1937; won in 1938; and were second in 1939.

Douglas GIFFORD, Garscube Harriers, Glasgow University

Douglas Gifford was a fine athlete whose best running was done in the colours of Glasgow University H & H.  Third in the Under 17 National in 1958 as a Garscube Harrier, he was 25th in the Junior race the following year for Glasgow University and started an excellent run of success.   In 1960 he was third scoring runner in the third placed team and in 1961 he led the Junior team into second place when he finished ninth.   A year later he was 27th and the team was unplaced.   He continued to run the following year but with less success.   In the E-G his first run was in 1958 when he ran the first leg, in ’59 he ran the second stage, in 1960 he ran the sixth stage for the team that finished third – the first time a University team had medalled in the relay, and ran six again in 1961 and fourth in ’62 when the team was again third finishers.   He also ran on the track with some success in University competitions.   

David L. GILLANDERS (18.11.49)  Thames Valley, Sheffield Univ, Shettleston, Malmo (Swe)
Steeplechase 9.08.0 (1975) 1500m 3.56.5 (1977) 5000m 14.31.2 (1977) 10,000m 30.30.6 (1977)
David’s best run was when he was very young – a very good ninth (and first Scot) in the 1969 Junior International XC. That year he had finished 5th in the Scottish Junior National, when Shettleston won team gold; and followed that with 5th again in 1970 and team silver. In 1973 he added another second place team award in the Senior National.

Ian GILLESPIE (18.05.70) Westbury, Birchfield, Clydebank AC
800m 1.50.1 (1993); 1500m 3.39.8 (1997); One Mile 3.56.64 (1993); 3000m 7.48.28 (1997); 5000m 13.18.06 (1997)
In 1990 he started his career by winning team gold (with Clydebank AC) in the Junior National XC.
Ian developed into a very good Scottish International track athlete, indoors and outdoors, over 1500m, One Mile and 5000m. In 1998, he ran 3000m for GB in the European Indoors; and 5000m for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games.
Ian was second in the 1996 AAA 3000m indoors; and third in the 1997 UK 5000m. Ian won Scottish titles for Indoor 1500m in 1993 and 1994; was third in the 1991 Outdoor 1500m; and second in the 2002 5000m.

Douglas F. GILLON (12.07.46) Heriot Watt Univ, Edinburgh, Victoria Park – see full profile
Steeplechase 9.46.4 (1966)
Doug was a promising young athlete who won a Scottish Schools Steeplechase title. After university, work severely restricted his running but he developed into a superb Athletics Journalist who for many years made a huge contribution to the sport.

Alexander C. GILMOUR (21.12.54)  Cambuslang
3.54.60 (1980); 8.05.3 (1985); 5000m 14.06.53 (1985); 10,000m 29.37.12 (1986).
Alex was a Scottish International athlete on track (5000m – 1985) and cross-country (1984 World Senior XC championships). He won a bronze medal in the 1985 Scottish 5000m championships.
For Cambuslang he was an absolute stalwart. The Scottish XC Relay was won in 1981, 1984 and 1988; and they were also victorious in the 1986 Six Stage Relay. In the E to G, several medals were won: 1986 silver; 1987 gold; 1988 bronze; and 1989 silver. In the Senior National XC, after two silvers and a bronze, Cambuslang won three years in succession (1988-1990). In 1988 Alex was first home for his club in an excellent 5th place.

Alex Gilmour taking over from Jim Orr

Ian W. GILMOUR (21.01.52) Birmingham Univ, Monkland, Wolverhampton & Bilston, Clyde Valley, Middlesbrough & Cleveland  –  see full profile
3.47.6 (1978); One Mile 4.06.3 (1977); 3000m 8.03.1 (1978); Steeplechase 8.31.09 (1978); 5000m 13.50.85 (1979; 10,000m 29.19.91 (1982)
Ian was a Scottish International track athlete, winning ten vests, for 5000m as well as Steeplechase. In addition, between 1973 and 1981, he ran for Scotland four times in the World Senior XC championships; and once in the International Junior (1971 – 13th individual).
In the 1978 Commonwealth he finished a good 8th in the final. Two AAA indoor titles were won at 2000m Steeplechase (1974 and 1979); and he secured a bronze medal in the 1978 UK 3000m Steeplechase. His Scottish title was won for the 1978 Steeplechase, he was second in 1974 and1981 and third in 1973.
As an invaluable club athlete for Monkland and Clyde Valley, he ran the E to G (including fastest stage times and team gold for CV in 1980). In 1978, CV won the Scottish XC Relay championships. Senior National team silver was achieved in 1981.

Andrew E. GIRLING (26.01.55) – Glasgow Univ, Victoria Park
30.22.36 (1984); Marathon 2.15.41 (1984).
Andy ran for Glasgow University in the 1983 E to G. The following year he exploded onto the Scottish marathon running scene with an outstanding second place in a very competitive Glasgow International Marathon. Then in 1985, running for Invicta East Ken, he improved to 2.15.38 when 19th in the London Marathon. After that he seemed to have retired but resurfaced as a veteran athlete who still produces good age-group cross-country performances in Kent.

John GLADWIN Edinburgh Southern Harriers
John was a very talented athlete as a Junior. He contributed to team gold in the Scottish Junior XC in 1980 and also in 1981 (when he was fourth). He ran in the International Junior XC in 1980 and 1981 (when he finished 31st and first Scot). Then he took part in the 1981 European Clubs XC championship and played his part in the ESH team that won the 1981 Six-Stage Road Relay.

Kenneth GLASS (27.08.58)  Dundee HS, Dundee Hawkhill, Edinburgh Univ, Edinburgh
400m 48.5 (1979); 800m 1.48.90 (1981).
Ken was a Scottish International track athlete between 1979 and 1981, at 400m, 4x400m and 800m. He won two Scottish Championship medals: 400m bronze in 1979; and 800m bronze in 1981.

James GOLDER Beith, Ayrshire, Edinburgh Southern Harriers
3.53.6 (1977); 5000m; 14.39.3 (1977).
Jim won a bronze medal in the 1976 Scottish Championship Indoor 1500m. He ran for Ayrshire AC in five E to G Relays: 3rd on Stage 1 in 1976; 1977; 1978; 1979; and 1980, when he was fifth on Stage 1.

Brian GOODWIN (21.03.1943-2.09.2007) Bellahouston Harriers  –  see full profile
3 Miles 14.20.2 (1964); 5000m 14.47.6 (1971); Steeplechase 9.21.2 (1963); 6 Miles 29.26.0 (1965); 10,000m (30.24.6 (1971); Marathon 2.29.56 (1967).
Brian won a bronze medal in the 1968 Scottish Championship 6 Miles. Between 1962 and 1973 he ran the E to G for Bellahouston twelve times, including 1970, when he was third on Stage One and his team finished 7th. Then for many years, he was a well-known official.

William GOODWIN Bellahouston
6 Miles 30.20.4 (1959)
Elder brother of Brian.  He was also a better runner than Brian but unlucky with injuries.   Billy won a bronze medal in the 1959 Scottish Championship 6 Miles. That year he was first in the Junior National Cross-Country and the Junior Midlands Cross-Country championships. In the E to G, Bellahouston won gold in 1958; and silver in 1959 and 1960. with Willie a crucial part of the team.

Alan D. GORDON (b. 21.09.1932, d. 2014) Achilles – see full profile
1500m 3.47.8 (1959); 1 Mile 4.06.0 (1959). He was ranked first in Scotland for both distances that year.
Alan ran One Mile for Scotland in 1957; and also in the 1958 Cardiff Commonwealth Games.
(On 6th May, 1954, running for Oxford University on the Iffley Road track, he finished fourth in the OU v AAA mile, which was won by Roger Bannister in 3.59.4 – the first time four minutes was broken for One Mile.)

Brian J. GORDON (3.06.48)  Aberdeen AAC, Edinburgh AC
400m 48.46 (1974); 800m 1.50.4 (1974)’
Brian was a Scottish International track athlete at 400m, 4x400m and 800m. In 1975 he won the Scottish 600m Indoor title. He was second in the 300m Indoors in 1973 and third in 1972 and 1974. In addition, he secured a silver medal in the 1974 400m; and bronze in the 1972 400m and 1973 800m.

Harry GORMAN (8.12.46) Springburn Harriers
3.53.1 (1969); 3 Miles 13.54.2 (1967); 3000m 8.28.2 (1971)

In 1971 Harry won the West District 1500m title.
In the 1970 Senior National, Harry finished a respectable 23rd. He went on to represent SCCU in representative cross-country contests.
Between 1966 and 1976, he ran the E to G ten times, including 1974 (when his club were fourth).

William GORMAN, Shettleston Harriers

In 1959, William was in the team which won the Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay. In the Senior National XC, he secured team bronze in 1958. In 1956, he had been part of the Shettleston team which won silver medals in the Scottish Junior National XC.

Mark GORMLEY (22.09.61) Cambuslang
3000m 8.20.9 (1991); 5000m 14.33.4 (1991); 10,000m 30.19.61 (1992); Marathon 2.29.41 (1992).
Mark appeared in the Scottish rankings from 1989 to 1994. In the Six Stage Relay, Cambuslang won silver in 1990 and 1993; and bronze in 1993. In the E to G, Mark’s team won 1988 bronze, 1989 silver, 1991 silver, 1993 bronze and 1994 bronze. Mark was fastest on Stage Eight in 1992. In the Senior National they won the team title in 1991 and 1992.

Donald GORRIE (2.4.1933) Achilles – see full profile
Achilles
Donald won the 1955 Scottish 880 yards title in 1.54.2. At Pitreavie a week later he broke Hamish Stothard’s Scottish Native record with 1.52.9 at an SAAA v Atalanta match. In the AAA Championships he finished a creditable 4th in 1.52.0. A month later he contributed an 800m leg to the winning British medley relay team at the World Student Games.
In 1957 he ran his fastest ever half mile 1.50.8.
In later years he became an M.P. and President of Edinburgh Southern Harriers.

Alan GOURLAY Edinburgh AC

Alan contributed to: E to G 1979 team silver, when he was fastest on Stage 3; gold in the 1981 Senior National cross country championships; and silver in the 1981 6 Stage Road Relay.

George GOVAN  Shettleston Harriers
George won a bronze medal in the 1957 Scottish Championship 3000m Steeplechase (9.36.0). In 1961 he ran the 6 Miles in 31.24.6.
He was third in the 1956 Junior National XC (team silver); and fourth in 1957 (team gold). In the 1959 Senior National, Shettleston Harriers won the team title, with George tenth. In 1961 and 1962, George was in the winning team again.
In the E to G, Shettleston won gold in 1955 and 1959, silver in 1956 and 1958 and bronze in 1957.

Paul GOWANS Edinburgh SH
3.53.0 (1980); 8.23.2 (1979); 14.37.0 (1979)

Paul ran twice in the Scottish Junior National XC, winning two team medals: silver in 1975 and bronze in 1977.

John E. GRAHAM (18.06.56) Clyde Valley, Birchfield – see full profile
1500m 3.46.66 (1978; 3000m 8.02.8 (1977); Steeplechase 8.39.30 (1978); 5000m 14.01.5 (1977); Marathon 2.09.28 (1981)
John, an extrovert, sociable but very determined, versatile, hard-training runner, broke Scottish records (Native for Steeplechase; National for Marathon), was twice fourth in the Commonwealth Games Marathon (1982 and 1986) and topped the annual Scottish Marathon ranking lists six times. He won silver medals in the Scottish Steeplechase championship in 1978 and 1979.
He was a Scottish International athlete on track, cross-country (Junior and Senior) and road. With Clyde Valley, John won many medals in the National XC; and the E to G (team victories in 1979 – when he was fastest on Stage Two – and 1980).

Alan GRANT (19.04.44)  Coventry Godiva, Shettleston
1500m 3.50.4 (1968); One Mile 4.05.5 (1968); 3000m 8.27.6i (1968); 2 Miles 8.55.0 (1967); 3 Miles 14.00.0 (1968); 6 Miles 29.22.6 (1968); 10,000m 30.27.4 (1971); Marathon 2.25.31 (1969).
Alan was a Scottish International track athlete at One Mile; and won Scottish Championship bronze medals in the 1966 3 Miles and 1967 One Mile. With Shettleston, he won 1969 Senior National team silver.

Graeme D. GRANT (24.05.46) Dumbarton, Heriot Watt Univ, Edinburgh SH – see full profile
400m 49.6 (1971); 440 yards 49.8 (1966); 800m 1.48.2 (1966); 1500m 3.49.5 (1971); One Mile 4.07.8 (1966).
Graeme, a powerful runner, was a Scottish International track athlete at 880 yards, 800m and One Mile. He ran 880 yards and One Mile in the 1966 Commonwealth Games. In the Scottish Championships, he won 880 yards titles in 1965 and 1966 and was third in 1967; then in 1969 he finished second in the 800m. For Dumbarton AC, he ran the E to G each year from 1966-1969.

J GRANT, Greenock Glenpark Harriers

In the 1950 E to G, he was fastest on the prestigious Stage Two and his team finished third. Between May 1949 and November 1961 he ran the great race thirteen times.

Kenneth GRANT Army, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers
3 Miles 14.29.6 (1968); 6 Miles 31.07.6 (1966); 10,000m 30-20.0 (1970); Marathon 2-29:00 (1970).
Kenny ran the E to G for Dundee Hawks in 1968 (when they finished 8th), 1969 and 1970. In the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games Marathon, when several ‘big names’ dropped out, he ran for Gibraltar and finished 22nd – first home from his three-man team.

S. Ian GRAVES (27.05.48)  Dundee Hawkhill, Fife AC
3.51.6 (1974); 32.03.5 (1978); 2.22.19 (1984)
Ian Graves, a popular, versatile athlete, from 1983 preferred to be called Sam. After early success on track and cross-country, he specialised in road running and became a Scottish International Marathon runner, featuring strongly in races like: Perth to Dundee; the Dundee Marathon; and the Two Bridges 36 miles (including 1983, when Fife won a famous team victory).
He won two widely varying Scottish Championship medals: silver in the 1973 Indoor 1500m; and bronze in the 1987 Marathon.
For Dundee Hawks, Ian ran the E to G five times in succession (1968-1972). With Fife, he won ‘most improved’ medals when they were 6th in 1976; then every year to 1982, when they were 6th again; then 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1988. Altogether, he ran in this great road relay 15 times. Sam ran twice for Scotland in the tough Anglesey International Marathon – in 1987 and 1988. Then he ran for Scotland in the 1988 British and Irish Masters XC International.

David GRAY (23.12.63)  Ayr Seaforth
49.0 (1986); 800m 1.50.7 (1983)
David appeared in the annual Scottish ranking lists between 1982 and 1989.

J GRAY, Edinburgh AC

He ran for Scotland in the 1978 World Junior Cross-Country Championships. EAC won the Scottish National Youth XC team title in 1977; and the Junior Cross-Country in 1978.

JOHN GRAY Aberdeen AAC

John won the East District Youth XC title in 1956. He showed considerable stamina when he was 4th in the 1959 Dundee 13 Miles. In 1960, he was in the Aberdeen AAC team which won the East District XC Relay championships. John was first equal in the deciding race in the North-East XC League, in which Aberdeen won the overall title narrowly. Then John Gray and Steve Taylor combined to finish second in Britain in an unusual two-man 10 miles track relay (which entailed each runner completing 40×220 yards with a minimum of rest) and was organised by ‘Athletics Weekly’. The duo were beaten (by 15 seconds only) by the Portsmouth AC pairing of Bruce Tulloh and Martin Hyman, both of whom became major players in British Athletics. Unfortunately, John retired early to become an enthusiastic golfer.

Michael GREALLY (18.06.60)  Pitreavie
31.24.9 (1994); 2.21.40 (1994)
Michael appeared in the annual Scottish ranking lists between 1989 and 1995.

Charles V. GREENLEES, Strathtay Harriers, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen AAC.

Charlie (born 1932) was in the very first AU team to run the E to G: in 1964 they finished 11th and won the ‘most improved’ awards. Charlie ran the Ben Nevis Race twice. He featured in the annual Scottish rankings six times (all for marathons) between 1967 and 1974; and finished 8th in the 1968 Scottish Marathon championship; but his best time was 2.37.08 (1977), set in Turku, Finland. By that time he was living in Finland and racing there and in Sweden, although he returned to Scotland eventually. Well before the ‘marathon boom’, Charlie ran a total of 30 marathon; and completed the Finlandia 50 miles cross-country ski race four times. In 1974 he took part in the World Veteran Marathon in Paris, on a very hot day over a difficult course (forest tracks with stretches of grass and gravel), and finished 23rd (from 500 finishers) which made him second Scot (behind M40 winner, Alastair Wood) and third Scottish Veteran Harrier (behind Wood and Charlie McAlinden of Ireland, who had both been Scottish Marathon champions). The World Veteran Marathon club gold medals went to the SVHC. 

Frank GRIBBEN  Monkland Harriers, Edinburgh
1500m 3.59.1 (1974); Steeplechase 9.42.6 (1974)

Frank was in the Monkland Harriers Boys and Youths teams as Ronnie MacDonald and was in the winning Youths team at the National in 1970, before he moved to Edinburgh.

Gary GRINDLAY (6.09.63)  Edinburgh Southern, Bingley, Bellahouston, Falkirk Victoria
3000m 8.14.88i (1991); 5000m 14.08.5 (1987)
Gary appeared in the annual Scottish ranking lists between 1987 and 1993. He won a bronze medal in the 1991 Scottish Championship Indoor 3000m.
With ESH, he won team medals in the Senior National XC: gold in 1987; and silver in 1988 (when he was a fine tenth). Gary won another gold in the 1989 Six Stage Relay.
With Falkirk Vics in the E to G, Gary was fastest on Stage 8 in 1989; won team gold in 1990; and silver in 1992 and 1993 (when he was fastest on Stage One).

Gordon GRUBB Maryhill

Gordon with his long flowing fair hair was easily recognisable.  He as a good club runner with Maryhill Harriers in the 1980’s.   He ran distance track races, cross-country and road.

Thomas GRUBB  Shettleston
Steeplechase 9-41.6 (1970).
Tommy was part of Shettleston teams that won: 1971 Junior National gold; 1972 Senior National XC gold; 1972 English National XC gold; and E to G gold in 1970 and 1971 (when he was fastest on Stage Seven).

Douglas W. GUNSTONE (10.07.50) Dundee Hawkhill, Edinburgh, Highgate, Springburn – see full profile
1500m 3.58.8 (1972); 3000m 8.21.4i (1971); 5000m 14.06.8 (1972); 10,000m (29.25.6); 10 Miles Track 48.55.4 (1975); Marathon 2.19.51 (1978).
Doug was a talented, versatile young runner and a good team man who carved out a very successful athletic career. He was a Scottish International athlete on track, road and cross-country (Junior and Senior). In Scottish Championships he won: gold in the 1975 10,000m (plus two silver and three bronze at the same distance); gold in two Track Ten Miles (1973 and 1975); bronze in the 1975 Indoor; and silver in the 1976 Marathon.
In the E to G, Doug ran three times for DHH; and won five team silvers with EAC. In addition, he secured three silver and one bronze in the Scottish XC Relay; and three successive team golds in the Senior National XC (1974-1976) and another one in 1978.

John GUNSTONE  Glasgow University, Victoria Park
10,000m 31.55.0 (1973); Steeplechase 9.46.4 (1973).
John (younger brother of Douglas) enjoyed his running at university but did not try to emulate his brother’s serious dedication. John was a popular, sociable man who won team bronze with GU in the 1973 Junior National, when he finished tenth; and ran the E to G for GU in 1972, when they were seventh, 1973 and 1974. 

Paul Forbes (2)

John FAIRGRIEVE Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh AC

3000m Steeplechase: 9.34.0 (1968)

John was a well-liked and respected athlete who contributed to EAC’s successes on track and cross country. In the Senior National XC they won team bronze in 1969 and silver in 1970; and in the E to G they finished 5th in the 1965 event (to be awarded ‘most improved’ medals) and 4th in 1970. He went on to be a cheerful, supportive and well-organised SAAA official, and a popular manager, for example supervising Scottish team international trips to foreign and home countries marathon contests.

Gerard FAIRLEY (2.10.53) Kilbarchan

5000m: 14.52.8 (1982) 10,000m: 31.09.0 (1984) Marathon: 2.24.33 (1983)

Still sub-32.00 for 10,000m in 1996, aged 42, Gerry won a European Veteran 5000m title. He ran the E to G many times for Kilbarchan, including 1983, when they finished 9th.

David FAIRWEATHER (11.07.44) Law & District, Cambuslang H

Marathon: 2.24.49 (1983); 2.36.02 (1995 – aged 51).

Previously a cyclist, as a senior between 1973 and 1982, Davie ran the E to G for Law & District. Then he became a very successful Scottish international veteran athlete, not only on road but also hill and cross country. He secured British and Scottish titles. Perhaps his finest run was in 2000 at Navan, Ireland, when he won the M55 age group in the annual British and Irish 5 Nations International Masters XC.

Colin FALCONER (26.03.52) Springburn, Coventry Godiva

3000m: 8.23.0 (1973) 5000m: 14.31.6 (1973)

Colin was very talented and most successful when young. In 1970 he won Junior titles in the Midland District and National XC championships before finishing an excellent 5th (and first Scot) in the International Junior. He went on to win two Scottish vests in the International Senior. In the E to G, Colin represented Springburn in 1971, when they finished fourth; and 1973 (7th) when was fastest on the prestigious Stage 2.

Mark FALLOWS (8.02.62) Edinburgh/City of Edinburgh

800m 1.51.86 (1991) 1500m 3.45.96 (1993)

From 1987 onwards, Mark was a promising middle-distance runner, who became a Scottish international athlete, indoors and out. He won a bronze medal in the 1992 Scottish indoors 1500m championship. In the 1990 E to G, he contributed to Edinburgh finishing fourth. 

Colin FARQUHARSON Strathclyde University, Clyde Valley AC, Aberdeen AAC, Hunter’s Bog Trotters

5000 14.39.4 (1981)

A cheerful, sociable man, Colin was most successful as a younger athlete, for example playing his part in Strathclyde University winning team gold in the 1979 National Junior XC. Then he joined Clyde Valley AC, and in 1980 National Junior secured team silver. That year Colin was part of the CV outfits that won: National Senior XC Relay gold; and National Senior 6 Stage Relay silver. In the 1981 Senior National XC, his team finished third. After a spell with Aberdeen, Colin, an unconventional guy, fitted in perfectly with the cavalier Trotters. In the E to G, he ran for them eight times between 1990 and 1999, including ‘most improved’ in 1990 and team bronze in 1996 and 1999.

Allan Faulds (34) leading the field at Westerlands

J Emmet FARRELL (Maryhill Harriers) – see full profile

Many athletes had their careers ruined by the outbreak of war in 1939: none more so than Emmet Farrell.   Scottish Cross-Country champion, track champion, cross-country internationalist, he was the complete distance runner.   He won the Cross-Country title again in 1948 – ten years after his first success.   Read the full profile and its attachments and make your own assessment.

Allan FAULDS (30.01.41) Glasgow University, St Modans, Stirling, Exeter, Clydesdale, Perth, Fife) – see full profile

2 Miles 9.20.0 (1968) 3 Miles 14.09.6 (1965) 3000m Steeplechase 9.29.8 (1965) 10,000m 30-54.4 (1970)   

Allan led Glasgow University Hares and Hounds to National Junior team gold in 1962. In the E to G, Glasgow U finished third in 1962 (with Allan on the important 6th Stage) and sixth in 1963.

Peter Faulds  (320)

Peter FAULDS (6.06.62) Falkirk Victoria Harriers

3000m Steeplechase 9.19.69 (1985)

Peter, being cheerful and enthusiastic, fitted well into the marvellous Falkirk Vics squad, masterminded by Jim Dingwall and Willie Day. From 1982 onwards, Peter ran many times in the E to G, as they improved from 7th to 3rd (1985) until, on a famous widely-applauded occasion, they won that great race in 1990. In 1991 he ran the fastest time on Stage Three. The 1982 Six Stage Relay produced silver medals; and the 1985 National Senior XC silver again.

Henry ‘Harry’ I. FENION (2.07.30) Lochwinnoch, Bellahouston Harriers – see full profile

6 Miles 31.04.6 (1959)

The first Scottish Athletics Yearbook was produced in 1959, too late to record the highlights of Harry’s very successful career. In the E to G, Bellahouston Harriers improved from 3rd (1956) to 2nd (1957) to victory in 1958. They were second in both 1959 and 1960 (when Harry was fastest on Stage Three). In the National Senior XC, Harry won individual gold in 1957 (when Bellahouston secured team silver medals, as they did in 1958.) In 1957, Harry also won the Scottish Marathon championship – a unique double triumph. On the track, he finished third in the 1954 6 Miles championship; and third in the 1958 Marathon. Harry Fenion won three Scottish vests in the International XC; and ran for Scotland in the 1958 Commonwealth Games Marathon in Cardiff.

Harry FENION, Jnr  Greenock Glenpark Harriers

Son of the above who was a good solid club runner who represented his club faithfully in road and cross-country events and championships as an individual and team member.

Andrew T. FERGUSON – see full profile

In “Scottish Athletics”, his 1982 Centenary History of the SAAA, John Keddie mentions Andrew Ferguson “a young Scot from Paisley” who had been running well in England. In 1946, he had been impressed by the performances of the great Sydney Wooderson. In the 1950 AAA Championships “he was caught up in a fast Three Miles race won eventually by the Belgian L. Theys, and placed third in a time of 14 minutes 11.6 seconds, which at that time was the fastest by a Scot, and 5th fastest ever by a U.K. athlete. It was also, surprisingly, the only time that a Scot was placed in the first three in the AAA Three Miles before 1967.”

John FERGUSON Ayr Seaforth

3000m Steeplechase 9-32.0 (1970)

In 1968 and 1969, John finished first Junior in the South-Western District XC championship. In 1970 he secured Junior National XC individual silver. His cross-country success continued when he won the Senior title in the 1972 South-Western event; and in January 1973 finished second in the Scottish Inter-Counties XC. When Ayrshire AC qualified for the E to G in 1976 (12th), John was given the classy 2nd Stage.

Martin M. FERGUSON (17.09.64) Edinburgh AC, City of Edinburgh

From 1986 to 2010, Martin was a consistently good, durable runner at distances including: 3000m Steeplechase (9.17.0); 5000m (14.28.07); 10,000m (30.43.6); and marathon (2.26.45). He finished second in the Scottish Marathon championship in 2000 and 2001, as well as third in the 2002 race; and third in the 2001 Scottish 10,000m. Between 1984 and 2002 (the last ever event) Martin missed only two E to G Relays, running 17 in all. He was usually given the responsibility of the toughest Stages: Two or Six. In 1987 Edinburgh won team silver medals; and in 1998 City of Edinburgh were sixth and were awarded the ‘most improved’ prize. In cross-country, Martin was in the team which finished second in the 1983 Junior National Cross-Country championships. In 2003, City of Edinburgh won team silver in the Senior National Cross-Country.

David FERRY, Cambuslang

David contributed to: team gold in the 1983 Junior National Cross-Country, when he finished sixth; and team silver in three 1984 championships – the Senior National Cross-Country, Six Stage Road Relay and E to G.

Brian FINLAYSON, Forth Valley Harriers, Lochaber AC
Brian was a good cross-country runner who became a superb hill runner. In 1970, while still in his early 20s, he finished climbing all the Munros to become the 97th completist. In the gruelling Ben Nevis Race, he finished second three times – 1971, 1972 and 1974. That last year, Brian won the Isle of Jura Fell Race. In 1975, he won Goatfell, Ben Lomond and the Half Nevis, and finished third in the British Fell Running Association awards. In 1977, Brian became North of Scotland cross-country champion.

T FINLAYSON, Hamilton Harriers

Finlayson, described as a ‘lithesome type of runner’ won a race for Under 17’s held in Lanarkshire in 1950 and went on to take the National Youths’ title leading his team into third place.   The following year he won the same title but this time the Hamilton team won the race from Gala Harriers.   In 1952 he moved up to the Junior age group and finished second in the National with the club team fourth.   In ’53 he was again second – behind the outstanding Alex Breckenridge of Victoria Park.   He ran in the Edinburgh to Glasgow in 1951 on the first stage where he finished ninth, in ’52 he ran on the second stage and moved up from 7th to 6th.   

James FINN, Monklands

He won the Scottish National Youth Cross-Country titles in 1960 and 1961; and ran the 1962 International Junior XC Championships for Scotland, finishing in a fine 16th place. He was third counter for the Scottish team and, along with Lachie Stewart (10th) and Alasdair Heron (11th) won prestigious bronze medals behind England and Morocco. 

Eric FISHER (31.05.46) Edinburgh AC – see full profile

Marathon 2.27.03 (1977)

Eric, a friendly reliable, popular man, was a good club runner who improved considerably at his peak. In the E to G, which Eric ran several times, his club went from 5th in 1969 to 2nd in 1977, when he was second-fastest on the 8th and final stage. In the marathon, after setting a personal best in 1977, he won a bronze medal in the 1978 Scottish Marathon championship. Eric Fisher went on to become a successful Coach to many athletes.

Robert G. FITZSIMMONS (16.08.64) Bellahouston, Kilbarchan

800m: 1.52.55   1500m: 3.44.86i   3000m: 8.06.2   5000m: 14.17.62

Between 1985 and 1998, Robert Fitzsimmons achieved a great deal. He won several Scottish championship medals: indoor 3000m gold in 1987, followed by outdoor 1500m bronze; indoor 3000m silver in 1992, and then triumphed in the outdoor 1500m; indoor 3000m gold in 1993, before AAA indoor 3000m bronze. Robert was a Scottish international athlete at 1500m He ran the E to G, first for Bellahouston and later for Kilbarchan, often contesting Stages 2 or 6. Two team medals were secured with Kilbarchan: bronze in 1997 and silver in 1998. Back in 1984 Robert had been in the Bellahouston squad that finished third in the Scottish 6-Stage Relay.

Andrew FLEMING Cambuslang

Marathon 2.32.47 8 (1966)

Andy Fleming wore the Scottish vest in the 1958 International cross-country championships. He also ran the E to G for Cambuslang every year from 1957 to 1960. Then in 1966 he achieved a bronze medal in the Scottish Marathon championship. His team-mate Gordon Eadie, who Andy advised on training and tactics, won the title, so it was an excellent day for Cambuslang.

James A FLEMING

Motherwell YMCA Harriers

James won the Scottish One Mile title in 1948 and that year became a Scottish 1500m international athlete. In 1949 he represented his country in the International Cross-Country championships.

Peter FLEMING (5.01.61) – see full profile

Bellahouston, Wolverhampton & Bilston, Reebok Racing Club, Racing Club Edinburgh, Mizuno Racing Club, Phoenix Racers

1500m: 3.48.69 3000m: 8.08.5 5000m: 13.51.20 10,000m: 29.03.36 Marathon: 2.13.33

Between 1982 and 2004, Peter Fleming enjoyed a very successful running career. As his personal bests show, he was extremely versatile. He was a Scottish International athlete, on the track (5000m) and in many marathons in Britain and the rest of Europe. Bronze medals were secured in Scottish championship events: 5000m in 1987 and 10,000m in 1990. His first individual marathon victory was in the 1983 Glasgow event, which included an international team contest. In the Scottish annual rankings, he was first in the 10,000m twice and five times in the marathon. In the Scottish Six-Stage Relay, he won team gold with Bellahouston in 1985 and with Racing Club Edinburgh in 1990. Then there was Scottish XC Relay silver with Bellahouston in 1983, and gold medals in 1992 (Reebok RC) and 1995 (Leslie Deans RC). In cross-country, Peter’s Bellahouston team won Junior National bronze in 1981; Senior National silver in 1987; and LDRC won gold in 1996. The E to G brought team silver in 1983.

JC FLOCKHART (Shettleston) – see full profile

Flockhart’s carer was mainly before the War with the victory in the ICCU Cross-Country championship in 1937 the undoubted high spot.  A quiet unassuming man he ran for a short time after the hostilities ended with good results.   In the first two E-G races, he won two gold medals with fastest time on the second leg in April 1949.   In the National he ran in the first four after the War finishing sixth in ’48 and again in ’49, winning a total of three gold medals from four runs.  He also added international vests in 1946, ’47, ’48, 49, finishing seventh in 1948.   An amazing man altogether – read his full profile.

Charles ‘Claude’ W. FOLEY (1940-1997) Pitreavie

6 Miles 31.05.2 (1960) Marathon 2.44.35 (1959) 3000m Steeplechase 10.01.6 (1960)

Claude was a team-mate of the illustrious John Linaker. In 1960 Claude won a bronze medal in the Scottish 3 Miles championship. He was 6th in the 1959 Scottish Marathon championship and ran well in several Scottish Marathon Club road races. Claude also did well in the Ben Nevis Race – his best position was 8th in 1957. In 1959, Pitreavie ‘A’ – John Linaker 2nd, Claude Foley 10th and W. Lindsay 24th, won the Ben Nevis team trophy.

Andy and Chic Forbes middle of the front row for the team that won the English national

Andrew FORBES (9.10.15) Victoria Park  – see full profile

3 Miles 14.34.4 (1959) 6 Miles 31.04.0 (1959) Marathon 2.44.21 (1968)

As his date of birth indicates, Andy Forbes was a veteran athlete when these Scottish ranking performances were recorded. This immaculate, modest, respected and popular gentleman had in fact been one of Scotland’s finest ever runners. His crowning achievement was a silver medal in the 6 Miles race in the 1950 Commonwealth Games, but his Scottish Championship gold medal haul was very impressive indeed. Andy won four Scottish 3 Mile titles; and set two National records at the distance. He was a Scottish International track athlete on several occasions. In the Senior National XC, he won the title twice and Victoria Park won team gold three times. Andy ran for Scotland in the International XC championships six times – and finished first Scot twice. He was in three winning E to G teams. Then he went on to achieve success as a veteran. His full profile really must be read!

Charles ‘Chic’ FORBES (Victoria Park, Irvine AC)

Chick was the younger brother of Andy and was a key member of the great Victoria Park team of the 1950’s winning medals of all colours in the National Cross Country Championship and the Edinburgh to Glasgow. In the Senior National between 1950 and 1961, Chick won eight team medals with Victoria Park AC: 4 gold, two silver and two bronze. In 1952 he finished 5th and was unlucky not to be selected to run for Scotland in the International XC.

In the E to G, between May 1949 and 1962, Chick was in VP teams that won four gold medals, three silver and one bronze. He was fastest on Stage Five (November 1949 and 1951; and fastest on Four in 1952.

Undoubtedly Chick Forbes was a marvellous team stalwart in this, Victoria Park’s most successful distance running era.

The standard of Scottish endurance running in the 50’s is not really appreciated in the 21st century, but Chick would have been a welcome addition to the current Scottish scene.   Latterly he lived in Irvine and joined the local club where his experience and intelligence were well used.   An easy going, mild mannered man, he really was a very good runner indeed.

Paul FORBES (20.11.56) Edinburgh AC – see full profile

400m 47.69 800m 1.45.66 1500m 3.49. 3000m Steeplechase 9.07.4

Between 1974 and 1987, Paul Forbes, an outspoken, unpredictable but very talented runner, enjoyed an excellent career. His total of 22 Scottish international appearances, at 400m, 800m, and 4x400m Relay, is just three short of the all-time record. He was also a full GB international runner. Against stern opposition, Paul won the Scottish 800m title twice (1983 and 1986), was second three times and third once. In addition, he was second in the 1975 Steeplechase championship. He was third in the 1980 AAA 800m; won the 1982 UK title and in that championship also secured silver (1980) and bronze (1978). In the annual Scottish rankings, he was first in the 800m four times and once in the 400m. Paul Forbes took part in the Commonwealth Games in 1978, 1982 and 1986, representing Scotland in 800m (semi-finalist; 8th in the final; and 7th in the final) and 4x400m (6th; 4th; and 4th). In addition, Paul ran for Scotland in the 1975 International Junior XC; and helped EAC to team silver medals in the 1983 Scottish Six-Stage Relay.

Hugh FORGIE (7.04.56) Law & District

800m 1.53.1 (1977) 1500m 3.48.0 (1980) 1 Mile 4.11.7 (1980)

Hugh was a Scottish 1500m international runner; and won silver in the 1979 Scottish 1500m championship.   He also won silver in the British indoor 1500m behind Seb Coe.  In 1976 his team secured silver medals in the Junior National XC; and in 1981 finished third in the Scottish Cross-Country Relay championship. They were a respectable 8th in the 1982 E to G.

Joe FORTE, Haddington and East Lothian Pacemakers
Joe was H.E.L.P.’s most consistent athlete. His best performance was winning the inaugural Dunfermline Half Marathon.   In 1982 he ran a marathon in 2.36.20. Joe ran the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay five times in succession between 1987 and 1991.

John ‘Jackie’ FOSTER Edinburgh Southern Harriers

Marathon 2.32.38 (1959) Marathon 2.34.06 (1979, aged 45)

Jackie was a great character who, at a time when advice was limited, trained ‘long slow distance’ and once tried to remove ‘fear of distance’ by running 20 miles three days before a marathon. Some of his memories are recalled in ‘A Hardy Race’ on this website. Jackie’s finest achievement was winning a bronze medal in the 1959 Scottish marathon championship. He also ran the E to G three times, with his team’s best position being 4th in 1958. Jackie was second in the season-long Scottish Marathon Club championship (1959) and was awarded a rare First Class certificate. 

William B. B. FOTHERGILL (23.06.50) Glasgow University, Victoria Park, Ilford

3000m Steeplechase 9.18.0 (1975)

Willie, a consistently useful steeplechaser (who won the 1974 West District title) and cross-country runner, was a cheerful, sociable young man with an abundance of hair. He and team-mates including the talented but unpredictable Willie Sheridan (who later founded Westerlands AC) celebrated (in style) Glasgow University H & H successes, including three E to G Relays, in which their best position was 7th in 1972.

Hugo FOX (12.01.21-1974) Shettleston – see full profile

In the Scottish Marathon championship, Hugo Fox of Shettleston Harriers won bronze in 1955, silver in 1957, was the winner (and a Cardiff Commonwealth Games representative) in 1958 and retained his title in 1959, when he was ranked first in the inaugural Scottish rankings. Hugo, a very tough and determined man, had been a keen club cyclist but retired from the sport when he married in 1952 – and took up running to keep fit a year later. By the late 1950s, Hugo was working a five-day week in the heat and dust of a foundry, plus two nights a week overtime, as well as training up to 130 miles a week. In the E to G, Shettleston finished third in 1957, when Hugo was fastest on Stage Eight; second in 1958; and won gold medals in 1959, when Hugo maintained their lead on Stage Six. In the Senior National cross-country championships, the team title was won twice in succession (1954-1955).

Peter FOX (22.03.62) Dundee University, Clyde Valley, Motherwell, Dundee Hawkhill 

1500m 3.57.5 (1982) 3000m 8.19.6 (1989) 5000m 14.17.0 (1985) 10,000m 29.54.57 (1988) 3000m Steeplechase 9.32.0 (1984) Marathon 2.31.55 (1992)

For Clyde Valley AC, in the 1980 Junior National XC, Graham Williamson won with Peter Fox second. He ran for Scotland in two International Junior championships. In the 1982 Senior National, CV won team silver medals. They had already been second in the 1980 Scottish Six-Stage Road Relay. In 1986 Peter Fox, running for Motherwell YMCA, won the West District cross country title. With Dundee Hawkhill, in the Scottish Six-Stage Relay, he won bronze in 1989 and gold in 1990. In 1991 Peter’s team finished second in the National Senior XC. The E to G was also a successful event for Peter Fox: team bronze with CV in 1983 (when he was fastest on Stage Four); and gold medals for DHH in 1989, when Peter ensured victory on Stage 8.

Douglas FRAME (22.09.55) Glasgow University, Law & District

1500m 3.58.3 (1977) 3000m 8.15.2 (1980) 5000m 14.06.3 (1985) 10,000m 29.19.50 (1984)

Between 1977 and 1991 Douglas carved out a successful athletic career. He was a Scottish international on track (3000m) and cross country (1983 World XC). In Scottish championships, he was second in the 1984 10,000m (and third in 1980), as well as third in the 1982 5000m. For Law & District, he was in the team which won silver medals in the 1976 Junior National XC. In the E to G, which Douglas ran several times, his club’s best placing was 8th in 1982, when he was fastest on the prestigious Stage Six.

David FRANCIS Cupar & District, Fife AC

Marathon: 2.33.24 (1978) Dave was the friendliest, most enthusiastic man, and a stalwart for Fife AC. Between 1975 and 1982 he featured in the annual Scottish marathon rankings; but was more successful as an ultra-distance runner, especially in the Two Bridges 36 and the Edinburgh to Glasgow 50.

Cliff FRANKS   Greenock Glenpark Harriers

Cliff was a good runner in all of the endurance surfaces – he ran in the National, on the track where he specialised in the steeplechase and was indeed ranked at national level, and on the roads – before he moved to England.

Charles J. FRASER Edinburgh Eastern Harriers, Edinburgh Southern Harriers

3000m Steeplechase 9.49.2 (1959) 6 Miles 31.59.0 (1964) 2.30.05 (1962)

Charlie Fraser (born November 1932) ran for Edinburgh Eastern Harriers three times in the E to G: in 1956, when they finished sixth and he was given the responsibility of the Second Stage; in 1957; and in 1958, when he was fastest on Stage One. On the track, he achieved a bronze medal in the 1957 Scottish 6 Miles championship. For ESH, Charlie ran the E to G in 1960, when he was second fastest on Stage One; won team silver in 1961, when he contested Stage Six; in 1962 for another silver; and bronze in 1964. Charlie Fraser won two bronze medals in the Scottish Marathon championship, in 1960 and 1962.

David J. FRITH (27.01.51) Aberdeen

3000m Steeplechase 9.15.3

Between 1982 and 1985, David was consistently under 9.20 for this demanding event.

There are athletes who played a part in Scottish athletics between 1945 and 1990 who are not on this page – if you know of any, please let us know.  Similarly anything that should be added or corrected, tell us and it will be done as soon as possible 

Roy Baillie wearing 14 and Jim Burns wearing 4

Nigel Bailey (Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Southern Harriers)

800m: 1:56.8  1975;   1500m: 3:54.5  1974;   5000m:  14:46.6  1974;   3000m S/C: 9:12.0 1975

Nigel Bailey came up from England and was a popular athlete who ran consistently well for ESH for a period in the mid 70s. He competed in 1,500m, 5,000m and steeplechase as well as road running. In the Senior National cross country championships he won three team silver medals from 1974 to 1976, with a highest individual placing of 25th. He is in the results for the National, Edinburgh – Glasgow relay etc and ran for ESH in British League events in the summer.

Ray Baillie (GUAC) 

Mile:  4:17.1  1962;  Three Miles:  14:41.0   1963

Baillie was a key member of the very good Glasgow Universities squads of the 1960’s along with runners like Calum Laing, Doug Gifford, Allan Faulds and Brian Scobie.   He ran in several Edinburgh – Glasgow relays being part of the team that won bronze in 1963 – the first University team to win medals in the race.   As a junior he was in the team that finished third in the National Junior in 1960/61, won the same race in 1961/62  and third in 1962/63 and fourth senior team in 1963/64.   

GUAC: Ray Baillie, centre, back row

Roy Baillie  (Bellshill YMCA, Clyde Valley)

400m: 50.0  1976;    800m: 1:51.1  1976;  1500m  3:56.2  1978

2nd SAAA 800  1977,  2nd SAAA i600m  1974,  2nd i600m 1975,   3rd i600m 1976

After starting his career running with Bellshill YMCA he joined the new Clyde Valley team in 1974.    Best known on the track as an 800m runner, one of Tommy Boyle’s earliest coaching successes, with a second place finish in the SAAA championships in 1977.  He was also very useful over the country, being a member of the Clyde Valley team which won the inaugural SCCU cross country relay championships, along with Jim Brown, John Graham & Ronnie MacDonald, as well as two medals in the E-G.

Donald Bain (Falkirk Victoria Harriers, Mandale)

10000m  31:16.8  1990;   3000m S/c:  9:20.1  1986;  Marathon:  2:24:56  1992

Crighton Baker (Cupar & District, Fife)

3000m S/c:  9:42.5  1974;   10000m: 33:06.8  1976

Terry Baker (RNAS Lossiemouth, Aberdeen AAC)

Terry was North District Cross-Country champion in 1968. In the 1967 E to G he ran the last leg and, in a terrific sprint against Shettleston’s Henry Summerhill, brought Aberdeen into a dead heat for silver medals.

Geoffrey Ballantyne (Glasgow School of Sport)

800m  1:56.4  1974

Jim Ballantyne (Springburn)

Marathon: 2:35:51   1971

Ken Ballantyne  (Edinburgh Southern Harriers) – see full profile

880:  1:53.2  1965;   1500m: 3:51.6  1966;  Mile:  4:01.1  1965;   Two Miles:  9:00.0  1965;   Three Miles:  14:05.8  1967;  5000m:  14:39.8  1970;  6 Miles: 29:52.6   1969; 

1st SAAA Mile 1964; 2nd SAAA Mile  1961; 3rd SAAA Mile  1960;  1965; 1966

John Ballentine (R.A.F., Aberdeen AAC)

Marathon: 2:34:57 1979

John joined Aberdeen as a veteran and soon proved to run very fast for his age. In the Scottish Masters XC championships he won M50 bronze in 1993. However, his best events were on the track, and he won M50 Scottish titles and British medals. John’s long-lasting AAAC club M50 records, set between 1992 and 1994, include: 1500m indoors in 4.23.23; 3000m indoors in 9.29.15; and 5000m outdoors in 16.23.26

Eddie Bannon, Shettleston Harriers – see full profile

One of the country’s finest all round distance runners in the 1950’s including five SCCU Championships and seven international races for Scotland in the ICCU  Championships, as well as outstanding runs in the Edinburgh to Glasgow eight man relay and the national championships.

Paul Bannon (Shettleston, Glasgow University, Memphis University (USA) – see full profile

Alistair Barrie (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers)

Three Miles: 14:39.6     1964;  Six Miles  31:17.0

Alistair, along with such as Ron Coleman, Alan Beattie and Harry Bennett,  was a regular member of teams in the 1960’s including the National and Edinburgh to Glasgow where he ran the second stage three times.   The word stalwart is much misused these days and usually just means ‘long service and good conduct’.   Reliable evidence says that Alistair was really a tireless worker for ‘The Hawks’ in all aspects.   

Richard Barrie (Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, Dundee University)

1500m:  3:49.3 1984;  Mile: 4:10.58  1984;  3000m S/c:  9:34.0  1990; 10000m:  30:42.51  1986

Richie Barrie was a  talented runner who never gave less than his best.  Road and cross-country saw him as part of every team that Dundee University and Hawkhill turned out but he was happiest on the track competing in open meetings, championships and in the various leagues which his clubs contested.   Having run in the team throughout the 80’s, when at times it was well down the field,  he must have been delighted when DHH won gold in the prestigious E to G; in 1990 he added team silver.

Hugh Barrow  (Victoria Park AAC, Sale Harriers) – see full profile

100y:  10.6   1961;   220y:   24.0  1962;   440y:   52 sec 1962;  660y:  75.3   1969;   880y: 1:50.3   1962;   3/4 Mile:  3:00.5 (Scottish record)   1965; 1500m:   3:45.3   1967;   Mile:  4:01.0  1968 (Furth of Scotland record);  2000m:  5:16.6   1966 (Scottish record);   3000m:   8:21  1969;   two miles: 8:51.4   1964;  three miles:  13:52.8;   5000m: 14:26.0   1971;   1965; six miles:  29:28.0   1969;   20000m: 1:11:50.02  1980;   30000m:  1:51:06   1979;   Marathon:  2:35:01   1979.

What a picture!   From the left:  –  Pat McLagan, Hugh Barrow Harry Gorman, Tom Patterson, Brian Goodwin, Dick Wedlock, Lachie Stewart, Eddie Knox. 

John Barrowman, Garscube Harriers

Johnny was a regular member of all Garscube teams running in County, District and National Championships was well as all the classics – the McAndrew, the Nigel Barge, the GU Road Race, etc.   He ran the E to G five times between 1958 and 1970. As a veteran he won M40 silver in the 1979 Scottish Masters Cross-Country championship; and another silver in a Scottish Masters 10,000m track race.

John Joe Barry, (St Machans AC)  IRE  – see full profile

John Joe was an Irishman who lived in Lennoxtown in 1948/49 and ran for the local athletic club.   An Irish internationalist, he set many records including a world’s best for one and a half miles.   He ran in all the big races – championships, open races at Cowal and the like, invitation races at Ibrox and was very popular with other runners and with the spectators.

Graeme Bartlett (Forres Harriers)
Graeme won the Ben Nevis Race in 1993. He ran for Scotland in the World Mountain Running Trophy (in Edinburgh 1995), finishing 4th counter when his team won superb silver medals. He won many Scottish hill races and set records. Graeme contributed to many team victories for Forres Harriers, including the North District championships and the cross-country relay.

Alan Beaney (Springburn Harriers)

Alan was one the first runners coached by legendary Springburn coach Eddie Sinclair who won many individual and team medals at County, District and National levels over the country.   Alan was selected for two Junior ICCU International championships – in 1968 and 1969 when he finished 31st and 38th respectively.   In 1967 he was fourth on the first stage of the Edinburgh to Glasgow, and in 1968 he was third on the same leg.  On the country as an U20 he was second in the national in 1969.

Ronald Beaney (Springburn H, Glasgow University)

1500m:  4:01.2   1969

Springburn Harriers had three sets of brothers at the same time in the 1960’s – the Beaneys, the Pickens and the Lunns.   Ronald won many medals and trophies of all colours as a Youth and Junior athlete.  Although he ran well at University he never really developed his career as a senior athlete thereafter. 

Alan Beattie (St Andrews University, Dundee Hawkhill)

880y: 1:57.8   1961;  Mile:  4:19.8 1962

As can be seen from his times Alan was a good runner on cinder and grass tracks – so good in fact that he won many races including the Scottish Universities half mile title.   He ran with a very group of Dundee athletes such as Ron Coleman, Alistair Barrie and Fergus Murray.   

Andrew Beattie  (Luton, Shaftesbury Barnet, Cambuslang)

3000m: 8:20.6;  5000m: 14:21.2  1988;  10000m  29:44.11  1987;  3000m S/chase  9:10.8   1984;  Marathon:  2:18.28  1987

As can be seen from his times above, Andy Beattie was a good class athlete who travelled up from London several times every year to compete for Cambuslang. He ran cross-country for Scotland; and gained a Scottish road running vest in 1992, when he finished second (and first Scot) in the Luton Marathon, which was that year’s Home Countries International match.   A good track man he was outstanding on the road and over the country: in the Edinburgh to Glasgow he ran the fastest time on his stage no fewer than four times helping the team to gold, silver and bronze medals.   He also won gold, silver and bronze over the country and it was a big loss when he died well before his time. 

David Beattie, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers

Dave finished second on Stage One of the 1989 E to G, when DHH won team gold medals. Earlier that year he had contributed to bronze in the Scottish Cross-Country Relay.

Stephen Begen (Springburn) – see full profile

5000m: 14:32.0   1985

Stephen was a quite outstanding runner as a Youth and Junior who ran twice for Scottish juniors in the ICCU Championships (1984 and 1985), and once for the senior men’s team in 1986.   Always well up and challenging the leaders he collected many of the top ‘scalps’ until he retired from the sport too early: see his full profile for the story.

Denis Bell (H.E.L.P., Scottish Hill Runners)
Denis was a fine hill runner who took part in events all over the United Kingdom.   He ran marathons in Edinburgh, Galloway and Snowdonia. He ran for Scotland in the World Mountain Running Trophy in 1988 (when his team finished an excellent 4th) and 1989.  In 1995 he won the Carnethy 5 miles Veteran title. Denis ran the E to G in 1988.   After his running career was over, he became a top class organiser and administrator working as Scottish team manager in many international events and being involved in the organisation of the Alternative Hill Running Championships and the Uphill only series.

J Bell (Inverness Harriers)

He won two North District Cross Country titles: Youth (1984) and Junior (1985). Then he ran the 1986 World Junior Cross-Country for Scotland.

Rod Bell, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers

Rod was a strong runner who was particularly good at the half marathon distance, at which he recorded several wins. He finished a close second in the 1991 Dundee Marathon, recording 2.26.10. In 1988 Rod ran for Scotland in the Anglesea 4 Nations Marathon. For DHH, he took part in the 1991 E to G, when they finished 5th.

Harry Bennett (Dundee Hawkhill) 

Harry was a solid club distance runner who was better known as a coach – in fact he was the first coach that Liz Lynch (McColgan) had when she started running in the 1970’s.

Maurice Benyon (Law)

5000m:   14:48.7   1977

Maurice Benyon ran for Law and District  at the time when membership included such top quality runners as Jim Thomson, John Myatt, Willie Nelson, Doug Frame, Jim Johnstone.   He represented the club in cross-country championships as well as in the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay as a good club standard runner.

Michael Berisford   (Sale)

Other than SAAA championships, Berisford never ran in Scotland.   He had a Scottish qualification and represented the country in the Empire Games.  He was also the first Scot under 4 minutes for the Mile.  He never ran in the national or the E-G.   His record is as follows:

800m:  1:52.0    1960;  880y: 1:51.5   1961;  1500m:  3:43.7  1961;    Mile: 3:59.2   1962;  Two Miles:  9:05.0   1959;  Three Miles: 14:09.0    

1962 European Games: 1500m 8th final;  1958  Empire Games  Mile  6th.  1962 Empire Games  Mile.   AAA’s Championships: 1962:  2nd AAA i 1000m;  SAAA: 1961  880y  1st;  1962  1 Mile 1st.

Ben Bickerton (Shettleston Harriers) 

Ian Binnie (Victoria Park AAC)  – see full profile

Steve Binns (Falkirk Victoria Harriers) was a top class English international runner who lived in Scotland in the early/mid 90’s and ran for Falkirk Victoria Harriers in the E-G in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

Tony Bird  (Greenock Wellpark Harriers)  

Marathon:  2:27:04  1982

George Black (East Kilbride)

Marathon:  2:36:31   1982

George Black (Fife AC) – see full profile

M Black (Bellahouston Harriers)

Marathon:  2:46:58  1976

Neil Black (Morpeth Harriers, Bellahouston Harriers)

1984: 1500m 3.48.57

Neil ran for Bellahouston in: the 1982 Senior National XC, when he finished 12th; the 1982 E to G, when the club won silver medals and Neil was fastest on the prestigious Stage Two; and the 1983 E to G, when he was fastest on Stage 5 and the club was fourth. After injury curtailed his athletic career, he became a highly-rated physiotherapist; and is currently the Performance Director at UK Athletics.

Ramsey Black (Bellahouston Harriers)

Ramsey Black joined Bellahouston Harriers from Kilbarchan and was a good runner from the start.   In the 1956 Junior National Cross-Country, Bellahouston won the team title, with Ramsey 10th.   In the 1958 E to G, which his team also won, Ramsey was fastest on Stage Eight. He had previously won silver in 1957.  In the Senior National Cross-Country, Ramsey secured team bronze in 1959 and silver in 1960, when he was 13th.   A good friend of Harry Fenion, he lived in Elderslie after he retired.

William Black ( Maryhill Harriers)

880y:  1:54.5  1959;  Mile:  4:21.0  1961.

Bill Black was a very good half-miler indeed who won many races on the track but never won a national championship medal.   Also a good cross-country and road runner:  eg 3rd on the first leg of the E-G, 15 seconds behind stage winner N Ross (ESH) and 6 seconds ahead of  Clark Wallace in fourth.   A much better than average all-round endurance athlete, he was an even better track runner.

R Blades, Clyde Valley AC

He finished 7th in the 1982 Junior National XC and led his team, including Tom McKean, to gold medals.

Robert Blair (Glasgow Police, Strathclyde Police, VPAAC)

3000m S/c:  9:45.2  1972;  10000m  31:53.0  1972;  Marathon:  2:30:06   1981

Bobby Blair (born 5/2/1948) was a real club stalwart who could be relied on for many years to deliver good runs in races on any surface. Since he tended to be quiet, he could easily be underrated and surprise more glamorous athletes with tactical awareness and an effective kick to the finish.  Bobby ran for Glasgow Police, Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde University but Victoria Park was his main club and his career is a model for success through perseverance. For example a marathon may have taken him 2.51.07 in 1969 but only 2.30.06 by 1981 – you can often win marathons in such a time nowadays. He ran the steeplechase in 9.45.2, competing in track leagues, and 10,000m in 31.53, although he must have been worth must faster on the road.

His record in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay was lengthy and unusual. In 1967 he made his debut – for Strathclyde University – and the team  won medals for the most meritorious performance in twelfth place. Then he ran Stage Six for Glasgow Police from 1972-74. After that he appeared for Victoria Park AAC in at least ten races on a variety of stages and nearly always held his place or gained one.  The highlights for Bobby were in 1978 and 1980. In the former, he defended second place on Stage Seven and his team won silver medals. In the latter – and this is the performance that spectators will remember to this day – he took over in second place on the final stage, only thirteen seconds in front of ESH’s Ian Steel, who had won the National CC Senior Boys title in 1978 and who, in 1981 and 1982, went on to run twice in the IAAF World Junior CC. So it was rising young star against experienced club Trojan. Neither could do anything about current senior international Gordon Rimmer (Cambuslang) who charged past them both to claim silver medals, but Steel quickly caught Blair and then expected to run off to third place. Alas for the youngster’s hopes. Bobby simply sheltered behind him, avoided the headwind and waited, and waited, until he delivered a devastating burst, Ian wilted and the older man raced home 32 seconds clear to secure bronze.

Robert Blair, junior (Victoria Park)

3000m S/c:  9:42.3  1989

Robert was also a good runner with appearances in the County, District and National championships as well as the Edinburgh to Glasgow to his credit.   He also had the distinction of running in the same Edinburgh to Glasgow team as his father on consecutive legs.

JRA Blamire (Shettleston, Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Southern Harriers)

Alistair Blamire leading Ian Binnie on the first stage of the E-G

James A Bogan (Glasgow University, Victoria Park AAC)

Mile:  4:18.2  1963;  Three Miles:  154:655.0   1960;   3000 s/c:  9:40.4   1966.

Marathon:  2:38:13   1978

Roger was, like most of the Lochaber club, in the main a very good hill runner although he did run on the roads and over the country too.   

David Bowman (Clydesdale Harriers) – see full profile

David was a decent road runner who became invaluable to the development of the Scottish Marathon Club from the early 1950s, rising to become Captain and then President’

John Bowman  (Inverness)

800m: 1:54.6  1987;   1500m:  3:50.06   1989;  5000m  14:50.10   1991.

John was a loyal member of Inverness Harriers who competed at all distances and on all surfaces.   Little known outside the North of Scotland, he was a talented runner who won many races over some top talent – eg the very well known Alan Reid was beaten more than once and in 1991 by only one second in the North of Scotland cross-country championships. There were also a number of Northern District Track championships.  On his rare forays to the south he demonstrated his ability by collecting several good scalps in races such as the inter area matches at Cumbernauld House

Jack R Boyd  (Ayr Seaforth, Glasgow University) – see full profile

Robert (Bobby) Boyd,  Clydesdale Harriers

Bobby was a good, tall, long striding miler who could also race well over the country.   After the War (he had been an RAF man) he ran well enough to win prizes on the track at meetings all over the central belt but his best moments were on the country and his best season that of 1946/47.   That season started with fastest time in the Midland District championships relay when he was faster than all the top guns who turned out; Shettleston, Bellahouston, Victoria Park all had their best runners forward but Bobby was the surprise.   He continued to run well and confirmed his talents when he won the Midlands District Championship that same season.   Unfortunately he had a serious accident at work when he dropped a large metal die on his foot and although he kept on running he was not the force he had been before.   He went on to coach in the club amd it was under his guidance that the team was third in the National of 1955.

Tommy Boyle, Bellshill YMCA

Tommy was a runner for Bellshill as a youngster, after a very brief spell with Motherwell YMCA, who won BB battalion championships, won the Lanarkshire 880 yards championship , ran in the inter-counties, won the Scottish YMCA cross-country championships and as a consequence ran in the international in Ireland.   He went on to become one of Scotland’s best ever middle distance coaches working with many unsung athletes before his first quality runner (Ray Baillie) and then world class athletes such as Tom McKean and Yvonne Murray.

English Inter-Counties, 1969: Mike Bradley (4) and Lachie Stewart (3)

Michael J Bradley  (Paisley H, Springburn H)

880y:  1:56.6   1968;  1500m: 3:49.9   1969;  Mile:  4:10.3   1969;   3000m:  8:09.2  1969;  Two Miles:  8:50.0  1970 (8:40.2 i  1970);  Three Miles:  14:25.4  1966;  5000m: 14:03.4  1969.

3rd SAAA 1500  1969

Michael was one of five brothers who ran for the Paisley team in the early 1960’s along with men like Pat McAtier, Miles Rafferty and Tommy Thomson.   He showed real class at track middle distance traces as his pb’s above show.   His first  Edinburgh to Glasgow was in 1964 when he was 19th on the first leg (brother Eddie ran on the fourth stage) for Paisley Harriers, the following year he was nineteenth on the second stage, then there came the transformation.   In 1966 he was third on the first stage ahead of such as Peter Duffy, Ian Binnie, Mike McLean, Duncan Midddleton and George Brown.    It was a vast improvement.   The following year, on the second stage he moved the team up one place but that meant taking two minutes out of the runner in front!   There was no Paisley team in the race in 1968 and by 1969 he had moved to Springburn for whom he won the first stage in 1969.   He would run more E-G’s for Springburn.  But the track was his real forte and he turned out for several Scottish selects as well as Scottish teams.  

Patrick Bradley  (Paisley Harriers)

Six Miles:  31:14.4  1961

George Braidwood (Bellahouston, Speingburn Harriers) – see full profile

Alex Breckenridge (Victoria Park AAC) – see full profile

Jim Brennan (Maryhill Harriers) – see full profile

Campbell Brierley (Victoria Park)

800m:  1:53.30   1989

John Brierley (VPAAC)

Marathon:  2:39:46   1980

John was a cyclist who took up running rather late on.   His children were members at Victoria Park AAC and that was where he started.  Described as /an absolute fanatic; he trained at the Allander Sports Centre as one of the Allander Auld Runners and was a big friend of Hugh Currie.   His best single season might well have been 1979 when he ran well in Balloch-Clydebank (12+) in 72:16, Clydebank-Helensburgh (16+) 1:43:53, Edinburgh – North Berwick (22.6) 2:16:36, SAAA Marathon 2:47:01 and Glasgow International Marathon in 2:40:15.  –   he was an M50 vet at the time.

Paul Briscoe, Dundee Hawkhill Harriers

Paul ran often in the E to G; contributed to team silver in the 1990 Scottish XC Relay; and won the 1989 Dundee Marathon.

Joe Brolly (Shettleston Harriers, RAF)

800m:  1:55.5  1974;   1500m:  3:53.9   1973

Joe was a very good runner as a Boy (U15) and Youth (U17) on the track (SAAA U20 1500m title in 1969) and over the country, whose carer as a senior was disrupted when he went into the RAF.

David Brookes  (Garscube Harriers)

David was a very good runner who ran for Garscube Harriers before and after the Second World War – good enough to run on the second and sixth stages, – and then went on to be an early  member of the Scottish Marathon Club.  He covered virtually all the SMC races as well as road races all over Scotland and in the 1970 Commonwealth Games.   In the Senior National Cross-Country, David won several team medals: gold in 1926; silver in 1931; and bronze in 1928 and 1935. He ran the E to G six times (from the very first one in 1930); and Garscube secured silver medals in 1935; and bronze in 1931. In the 1936 Scottish Athletics championships, David was second in the Track Ten Miles; and third in the Six Miles. He was a founder member (and on the committee for many years) of the Scottish Marathon Club and Dunky Wright said that David had been a good road runner, along with himself and Donald McNab Robertson. Praise indeed!

Alex P Brown (Motherwell YMCA, Law and District AAC) – see full profile

Andrew Brown (Motherwell YMCA)

Andrew Brown, father of Andy and Alex,  was a good class runner over the country and on the road both before and after the War.   An early member of the Scottish Marathon Club he ran in several of the SAAA marathons in the early 50’s.  When he was in the same team as Andy, eg the 1950 Edinburgh to Glasgow,the programme and result sheet referred to him as A Brown and Andy as A Brown, jnr.

Andrew H Brown  (Motherwell YMCA, Law and District)- see full profile

Andrew Brown (Westerlands, Clyde Valley)

Marathon:  2:2:31:44   1981

David Brown (Stirling University)

800m:  1:53.9   1987

Frank Brown (Victoria Park AAC)

1500m:  4:00.00  1974;   5000m: 14:58.0  1975

Frank Brown was a very good runner indeed who ran for Bellahouston Academy as a schoolboy.  He first appeared on the winter scene in season 1973-74 when he ran the third stage of the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay and turned in the fastest time.   He ran two more E-G’s, both on the first stage, where he was ninth in 197-75 and eighth in 1975-76.   After three or four seasons, he joined the Hong Kong Police Force and was lost to Scottish athletcs.

George Brown (Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Southern)

880y: 1:57.2  1959;  Mile: 4:12.7  1959;  Two Miles: 9:12.8   1967;  Three Miles: 14:24.0   1967;  Marathon:  2:35:58    1971.

 Described as real gentleman and a durable athlete George ran for ESH in the Edinburgh to Glasgow winning gold, silver and bronze medals in the company of such as Fergus Murray, Donald Macgregor, Martin Craven, Allister Hutton and Gareth Bryan-Jones.   In the Senior National he first won a team medal (bronze) in 1961.   Over the next decade, a succession of consistent performances brought him a total of nine medals:   two gold (1964 when he was twelfth finisher, and 1970), five silver and two bronze.   In the E-G he featured in ESH teams that won gold (1973), silver (1962, 1963) and bronze (1964, 1971).   On the track, George ran a mile in 4:12.7, and three miles in 14:24.   Much later, in 1979, 1980 and 1983, ESH obtained team gold in the Scottish Veterans Cross-Country championships and George Brown, predictably, was one of their counters.   An excellent athlete and all round endurance runner.

Ian Brown (Stirling, Falkirk Victoria)

5000m:  14:51.9   1977  

Ian had a good career as a Youth and especially as a Junior running well in the age group championships of  1975, ’76, ’77 and ’78.   He ran for Scotland in the IAAF World Junior Cross-Country Championships of 1977 and 1978 (when he was first Scot home in 17th place). Ian was East District Junior XC champion in 1977 and 1978. In the E to G, he contributed to team bronze in 1976.

Jim Brown (Monkland, Borough Road College, Clyde Valley) – see full profile

Jack Brown (Dumbarton)

880y: 1:56.0  1965

Best known as a half-miler, Jack was a popular, good class all-round athlete who could compete in several field events as well as sprinting and endurance running on the track.  Jack and Bobby Mills were a formidable double act for the club in inter-club track competition, and when Col;in Martin was added in, they were a hard club to beat.   Jack ran for his club on the country (all events from county to national championships) and on the road (E-G) as well as on the track.   Once he had finished competing he became an official SAAA handicapper and was one of the principal organisers of the Milngavie Highland Games.

Paul Brown (Bellahouston)

3000m S/c: 9:45.3  1975

Tom Brown  (St Modan’s)

800m: 1:56.6  1964;  Mile:  4:13.1   1964

In the late 1950s and especially in the 1960’s St Modan’s was a club to be reckoned with on the country with runners such as George Jackson, Hamish McHattie, Joe McGhee and many others.   Tom was running at the same time as another very good middle distance runner, Walter Eadie, and they won many trophies as part of the club team through the age groups.  In the SCCU Championships of 1963, Tom was 5th Youth ahead of Duncan Middleton, Dick Wedlock; in 1964 he was fifth with the team placed second.   Walter went on to study at Strathclyde University before emigrating to Canada.  Tom just disappeared from the scene at that time.  

George Brownlee (Edinburgh Southern Harriers)

880y:  1:55.4  1961;  Mile: 4:11.8   1962;  Two Miles: 9:23.4  1963;  Three Miles:  14:32.0   1963

2nd SAAA Mile  1963

Starting as a Senior Boy (U15) George won the Eastern District Boys title in 1959 and followed this up with the Youths championship in both 1960 and 61 and was only defeated for the Junior titles by the emergence of Craig Douglas of Teviotdale.   Nationally he won the cross-country title in 1958/59, 8 seconds ahead of Lachie Stewart and two years later was second in the U17 national behind Jim Finn of Monkland.  His best cross-country run as a Junior was probably in 1963 when he was ninth, narrowly missing international selection.  In 1965 he was twenty seventh senior – third counter in the team that won gold.   Brownlee also ran in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay and won both silver and bronze medals.   A very good track runner he had a wide range of events, see the pb’s noted above.   

Joe Bruce (Edinburgh Southern Harriers)

3000m S/c: 10:55.8  1959 

Joe was a good athlete whose career was cut short by injury but he went on to be a very good, well liked and trusted official. In 1969, he became Captain of the Scottish Marathon Club, an invaluable road running organisation which he influenced for years.

Gareth Bryan-Jones (Edinburgh University, Edinburgh Southern ) – see full profile

John Bryant (Edinburgh Southern)

3000:  8:36.2  1970;   5000m: 14:37.4;   1970;  3000m S/c: 9:47.0   1969

Bryant had been an Oxford blue in the steeplechase and was working in Edinburgh for the Edinburgh Evening News and lived in ‘The Zoo’ with the Edinburgh students in 1966/67.   He joined Edinburgh Southern Harriers and ran in the E-G in 1967 and 1969 when he won a gold team medal; he also ran in the National in 1968 where he won a team bronze.

Alex Bryce (Central Region, Falkirk Victoria)

400m:  49.89   1988;   800m:  1:51.5   1978

Danny Buchan, Aberdeen AAC

Danny was a talented young runner and his best performance took place in 1976, when he finished 15th in the Scottish Junior National XC and Aberdeen won team gold medals. He ran the E to G in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977.

James Burns  (Monkland Harriers, Shettleston Harriers,  Law and District AAC)

800m 1:56.0  1976;  3000m:  8:27.0  1977;   2000m S/c: 5:54.6   1976;  3000m S/c:  9:02.3   1978; 10000m  32:11.9  1978

Jim had a very good career in the sport.   His most successful season was 1975 when he was selected for the Scottish team in the IAAF Cross-Country Championships after finishing 5th in the Junior National.   Jim ran for Shettleston in all the major team events winning gold in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay in 1976.   He left the club in 1982 for Law and District AAC after rendering Shettleston sterling service.

Ian Burns  (Larkhall Harriers)

Ian (7th) and his brother Willie (4th) were the backbone of the club when the team won the SCCU Junior Men’s championships in 1970.   Other club runners that day were D McBain (11th) and Jim Sorbie (16th).

Willie  Burns (Larkhall YMCA Harriers)

He ran well for Scotland in the 1970 and 1971 International Junior Cross-Country Championships, finishing 19th and 20th respectively. In 1970, Larkhall won team gold medals in the Scottish Junior National XC, easily defeating Shettleston Harriers.   Willie was a good distance runner whose career was very short.

Andrew Burnside (Maryhill Harriers) 

Andrew was a fine runner who represented his club on the road in all the main races – McAndrew Relay, Nigel Barge, and of course the Edinburgh to Glasgow.   He also ran over the country in District and National championships.   His main claim to fame however may have been when he was  third in first SAAA Marathon Championship in July 1946 behind Donald Robertson and Dunky Wright making it a Maryhill 1-2-3.

John Burton, Shettleston Harriers

The first post-war E to G took place in May 1949. John was fastest on Stage 3 for the winning team; and in November 1949 repeated this feat, as did Shettleston. In 1950, 1951 and 1952, Shettleston finished second to Victoria Park. In the Senior National XC, he secured a team bronze medal in 1951.

This picture includes Ronnie McDonald, Frank Clement, Lachie Stewart, Jim Brown. Norman Morrison, Dick Wedlock, Colin Falconer and Alistair Blamire

The years between 1945 and approximately 1990 were a golden age of Scottish distance running on the track, over the country and along the roads.  The improvement in terms of quality and maybe especially in terms of depth was continuous with large numbers of quality athletes being produced.   It was also a time when those who took part in the sport enjoyed high esteem in the eyes of the public as well as of other athletic disciplines.   This is seen in varioous ways such as the holding of the national marathon championship at the annual Scottish track and field championships and the many international track and field events at which major international stars competed in middle and long distance races.   The main stars in the Scottish athletics firmament such as Tom McKean, Frank Clement, Ian McCafferty, Lachie Stewart, Fergus Murray and Donald Macgregor are well known but  such was the standard that many quality athletes never saw a Scottish vest or a championship medal and the compliment of calling a runner “a good solid club runner” really meant something.   This and the following pages are an attempt to give some of these athletes the credit that is their due.   As far as ranking athletes are concerned please note that all will be short but –

*Some will be listed because they were really outstanding and they will have a link to an individual profile;

* some will be for very good club runners who, although of above average ability, were not of international calibre;

* there will also be a sprinkling of runners who were well known to other runners and aficionados, who never won anything but who were part of the scene and helped make it what it was;

*  and others might not have a star career but will have gone on to be top class officials/administrators (such as Ewan Murray). or become very good coaches (eg Tommy Boyle);

and also that –

there are also some athletes on the annual ranking lists who will be omitted alogether: English, Irish, Wesh, etc will be ignored unless they lived and competed in Scotland, whereas others who competed for Scotland in a significant Games despite not meeting the above criteria, will be listed.

To begin with we will note those listed on the annual rankings as listed on Arnold Black’s excellent website www.scotstats.net.   Additional information has been gleaned from Ron Morrison’s official road running and cross country website, Colin Shields’s book “Whatever the Weather”, Arnold Black and Colin Shields’s book “The Past is a Foreign Country”, ‘The Scots Athlete’,  and ‘Scotland’s Runner’.

Dealing with the topic in alphabetical order, we start, naturally with the letter A.

John Adair (Bellahouston, Linlithgow)

Personal Bests:   1500m: 3:56.6     1971;   3000m:  8:38.0     1970;   3000m S/chase:   10:08.8     1969;   Marathon: 2:24:25     1985.

Jack Adair was a popular member of Bellahouston Harriers in the late 60’s/early 70’s who later moved to Linlithgow.   Mainly a track runner with a talent for long distance he proved to be a good marathon runner when with Linlithgow in the early 1980’s.   While with the Glasgow club, he ran cross country and in the Edinburgh to Glasgow for a number of years.   He still returns to Bellahouston Presentations and Dinners along with Frank Clement who also moved to Linlithgow.

Bob Adam (Falkirk Victoria Harriers)

Bob was a regular member of the team in the 1970’s which included such as Willie Day, Willie Sharp, John McGarva and Andy Pender.   He ran in the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay four times (winning team bronze in 1976) and was also a scoring runner in both District and National championships.

Allan Adams (Dumbarton)  – see complete profile

In the 1995 Scottish Masters XC, Allan led Dumbarton to victory in the team contest.

Bill Adams, Shetland, Aberdeen AAC

Bill, a Lerwick postman, was one of those tenacious, durable runners who seemed to improve, relatively speaking, with age. His favourite event was the half marathon and, by the age of 65 in 2012, he had run an incredible total of 400, all over Europe, winning many races and umpteen veteran prizes. Bill’s fastest time was 70.20, set while securing M45 silver in the 1993 British Masters half marathon championship. A week earlier, after a very close battle, he had finished third, only 12 seconds behind the winner, in the Scottish Masters half marathon event. Bill represented Shetland twelve times in the Island Games and helped his team to win half marathon silver medals. Running for Scotland in the 1992 British and Irish Masters XC International, he contributed to M45 team gold medals.

Gilbert Adamson, West Kilbride ASC

West Kilbride was a short lived club in the South Western District that was remarkably successful.   Adamson was probably their most successful athlete.  In 1948 he was second in the National Youths race to Harry Fenion of Lochwinnoch Harriers.  He won the Youth title in 1949 from John Stevenson of Greenock Wellpark, leading his club to  first place in the team race.; and the Junior championship in 1950.   A year later and he won the District Cross-Country championship but could not repeat the national victory – he was second to Eddie Bannon of Shettleston.

Adamson was also a useful track runner who ran the steeplechase as well as the longer distances on the flat. In 1949, while still a Junior he was third in the SAAA Senior Championships in the event. 1950 was probably his best year and the highlights were in national championships, international honours and invitation races. On 24th June, he ran in the SAAA Championships at Hampden Park where he was second in the Three Miles to Tommy Tracey of Springburn.   On the first Saturday in August he finished third in the invitation Two Miles behind American Horace Ashenfelter and Freddie Green of the AAA’s, and one week later he ran in the steeplechase in the triangular international against England/Wales and Ireland at the White City  where he finished third behind Disley and Howell (both E/W).

Neil Agnew  (Monkland Harriers, Clyde Valley AAC)

Neil was a good club runner who ran for Clyde Valley in the 70’s and 80’s,  winning two gold medals  in the Edinburgh to Glasgow, as well as racing in the National Cross-Country Championships and Road Relays.

Charles Aithie (Aberdeen U, Edinburgh, Oxford U)

Personal bests: 800m:  1:55.1     1977;  3000m S/chase: 9:20     1977   400m hurdles: 58.4   1973

Charles was a cheerful, athletic, talented young runner at Aberdeen University around 1970. Although lightly trained, he was fast on the track (800m/1500m) and also showed promise over the cross-country.  He must have done post-grad work at Edinburgh and Oxford. He ran the 9.20 steeple in May 1977, under Oxford University. He may well have won a blue – if not he could not have been far off it.

Charles Aitken (Greenock Wellpark Harriers)

Aitken was a solid club runner on the roads and over the country in the 50’s and early 60’s .   He ran in the Edinburgh to Glasgow nine times and in many cross-country teams at county, district and national level.   The teams included such as the Stevenson brothers, Bill Stoddart, Frank Whitley and George King.

Jim Alder (Morpeth, Edinburgh AC) – see complete profile

WT Allan (Edinburgh University, ESH, Kettering)

Personal bests:  3000m: 8:44.2     1969;   5000m:  14:59.2     1969;   10000m:  31:02.0     1971;   3000m S/chase  9:13.0    1968

Willie started off as a long jumper but became a very successful long dstance runner while at Edinburgh University.   He won several honours in cross-country and road team competition while at Edinburgh University.   These included team victory in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Road Relay in 1965 (where he was third fastest individual on the third leg), third team in the Scottish Junior Championships in 1966, first team in the Scottish Universities Championships in 1967 and first team in the Scottish Senior Championships in the same year. In 1969, running for ESH, Willie won another team gold.  Willie’s main event on the track was the steeplechase in which he was Surrey champion in 1970 and a best time of 9:13.0 set at the Scottish championships in 1968.  After graduating, Willie moved to England and went on to have a very successful career as a veteran, running for England and winning a British Masters XC title.  At his peak Willie ran 80-90 miles per week in training, this included a long run of 16 miles on a Sunday, two fartlek sessions a week and twice daily training on five days.

David N Anderson  (Greenock Wellpark Harriers)

Marathon:  3:09:19     1968

David was a stalwart of all endurance events including the marathon and ultra-marathons such as the Edinburgh to Glasgow point-to-point (he also ran in the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay for his club).   

G Anderson (Bellahouston Harriers)

A very good cross-country runner, he ran for Scotland in the International CC Championships in 1947.

Robert Anderson (Cambuslang) – see complete profile

Andy Arbuckle (Monkland Harriers) 

A long-serving member of Monkland after the War who was a good all-round distance runner on the roads and over the country. He ran for Scotland in the 1951 International XC Championships; and for Monkland took part in the E to G four successive times between 1949 and 1952.

Ross Arbuckle (Aberdeen, Cambuslang, Keith) 

Personal bests:  800m:  1:53.5     1979;  1500m: 3:50.2     1988; 3000m:   8:11.21 i   1989

Richard Archer (St Andrews U) Eng

800m:  1:49.9     1985;   1500m  3:46.2     1985;  3000m:   8:01.5     1988;  5000m:  14:31.60     1988 

Archer was a student at St Andrews University from 1985 to 1988 inclusive.   His times are quite outstanding and he was placed 2nd in the SAAA 1500m in 1987,  and 2nd in the SAAA indoors 800m in the same year.

Ian Archibald – see complete profile

George Armstrong Haddington East Lothian Pacemakers
George improved steadily as a veteran runner. In the Scottish Masters Cross-Country championships he secured M50 bronze in 1990; and then won the title in 1992. He added M55 bronze in 1995; and M65 silver in 2008. For Scotland, he ran several times in the annual British and Irish Cross-Country International. A bit of an iron man, George completed over 140 marathons.

David Arnott (Pitreavie)

800m: 1:53.1     1988 and 1991;   1500:  3:50.4   1988

In 1987, David won the East District Junior XC title and later ran for Scotland in the World Junior XC Championships. Then he ran the E to G.

Ronnie Arthur (Greenock Glenpark Harriers)

A good half-miler on the track Ronnie had a good career as a Junior and young senior racing in District and National cross-country championships as well as in the Edinburgh to Glasgow relay.

Jim Ash   Beith Harriers

Jim was a good runner who seemed to come from nowhere as a veteran in the early 1980’s.   His best was probably in 1983 when he ran the distance in 2:30:56.   He was also a very good cross-country runner.

John Asher (Glasgow University)

Three Miles:  14:45.1    1968

Stuart Asher (Fife AC)

Marathon:  2:28:57   1990

Stuart had just turned 40 when he set his marathon personal best, by winning the 1990 Dundee Marathon. He had been a good hill runner. In the (all-veteran) Alloa to Bishopbriggs 8-Man Road Relay, Fife AC won easily in 1990, setting a new course record, with Stuart fastest on his stage.

Des Austin (VPAAC) – see full profile

James Austin (Clydesdale)   

3000m: 8:28.5    1994;  5000m:  14:52.7   1994;   10000m:  30:53.2     1993;   3000m S/chase:  9:05.32     1994

James came into the sport as an under 15 in 1980 and was a useful half miler/miler running cross-country and Edinburgh to Glasgow as soon as he was eligible.   It was only when he took up steeplechasing serviously in about 1988 that he drew himself to national attention.   A district and are representative over the country he won two SAAA medals for the ‘chase – second in 1996 and third in 1997 – and he gained a Scottish vest on the track over 5000m.

Simon Axon (Aberdeen, HBT) Wal

5000m: 14:38.1   1985;  Marathon:  2:19:53    1986

THE GORDON PIRIE LETTERS

Between October 1954 and 1963, Aberdeen AAC’s Stephen Taylor (usually called Steve), received letters from Gordon Pirie, the great British international distance runner. Despite living mainly in Surrey, Gordon gave Steve coaching advice and suggestions for training sessions. During 1960-1962, Steve was second in the Scottish Mile Championship, twice won the Scottish 3 Miles title and ran for Scotland three times in the International Cross-Country Championship and several times on the track. Steve frequently gave a great deal of credit to Gordon Pirie for helping him to become a much better athlete, although it is fair to say that he did not always continue trying some of the hardest work-outs that Gordon suggested – and ignored his advice never to train with Alastair Wood!

(Gordon’s father Alick Pirie was a Scottish international cross-country runner. Gordon was born in 1931 in Leeds, but three years later the family moved to Coulsdon, Surrey. Alick ran for South London Harriers and later became Secretary.

SLH remained Gordon’s club for many years – he was a very good cross-country runner, winning the English National championships three times in succession, from 1953 to 1955 (when SLH also won the team title).

During his illustrious career, Gordon Pirie (who trained extremely hard, including heavy mileage) represented England in the 1953 International XC and later that year won the very first Emsley Carr Mile (see youtube). Then in 1955 he won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. During that year he had beaten Emil Zátopek, the triple gold medallist in distance running at the 1952 Olympics.

Gordon represented Great Britain in 3 Olympics (1952, 1956, 1960), in both 5000m and 10,000m, winning 5000m silver in 1956.  He set World Records in 3000m (twice), 5000m, 6 Miles and 4x1500m relay. His faster WR for 3000m was 7:52.7; and for 5000m 13:36.8, both marks being set in 1956.

Gordon Pirie went on to win the British Orienteering Championships in its first two years, 1967 and 1968, and also represented UK at the 1966 World Orienteering Championships. He became a successful coach and physio. Overall, he was an unforgettable, irrepressible character.)

Gordon’s first letter, which was replying to a tentative request for advice from 16-year-old Steve, was sent on 21^st October 1954. It is worth quoting in full.

“Dear Stephen Taylor,

                                    Thanks for your letter of 16^th August last. Please accept my apologies for this late reply.

My ideas on your training are as follows:

• Run by time, not distance
• Running part of training must be continuous
• Exercises must therefore precede or follow
• Run over fields in preference to track

To put these ideas into a training schedule, I suggest that you run between 30-60 mins. The first (15 to 20) mins must be steady relaxed running in complete tracksuit. You must be nice and warm when you finish this. Then, the next 15-20 mins, run fast sprints for your own enjoyment, over about 50 yards to 300 yards. Jog between – about 400 yards slowly. Go at this as you feel. If you feel as mad as a March hare, run them at a terrific sprint! In not, just fast. You should do about 6 or 8 of these in this time. Then the last few minutes (10-15) run as at first in complete track suit, just a steady pace for a good sweat. Afterwards do your P.T. (Physical Training exercises) if you feel like it. Run only 3 or 4 days a week like this. Any other days just jog only 20 mins in tracksuit if you feel like training.

Some rules to follow:

• Never run fast sprints or race when you have a cold.
• Do not run at all if you have a temperature (Flu or similar things) and don’t run for three days after you feel O.K. This prevents any overworking of the heart as does rule 1.
• If the weather makes you cold when running the fast and slow training, then you must put on your tracksuit and keep warm. Training is no good if the body is cold!
• Always be fresh and enjoy training. If you have had an extra late night at a party, just jog the next day.

Try this out and see how you go,

                                                            Yours Truly, Gordon Pirie”. (a clear, flourishing signature.)

(WELL, what a thrill it must have been for Steve to receive such a note from his hero! Gordon comes across as polite, sensible and helpful, without a hint of “superiority” and condescension. Nowadays, his advice to a young runner still sounds wise.)

The next letter I have chosen is from 15^th February 1955.

“Dear Stephen,

                        Thanks for your letter. The races you run are pretty stiff so don’t say “only 5^th”. That’s pretty good! Just keep plugging on and you will find that the results will follow. The longer it takes, the more satisfaction you will get when you do win.

This team packing is really a bad thing. The best way for a team to win is to have every member run his best. This means that they do not necessarily run in together. No two runners are the same. No, the best way to do your best is for you all to try your hardest in training and in racing. This will give you the best results, I can assure you.

As for your feeling exhausted after one race and not the other. The weather (barometric pressure, temperature and humidity), whether you slept well beforehand, how much you warmed up and trained the week before, would make all the difference.

If you keep a diary of your training with every detail (did I tell you in my other letter?) then you can check back and see whether there was any difference in the training you did and the way you felt. Otherwise it is difficult to give a reason.

Hoping to hear how you get on Saturday week, Yours, Gordon.

p.s. Best of luck!”

On October 10^th 1959, Gordon wrote the following.

“Dear Stephen,

Glad to hear from you again and to see that you are doing very well.

You sound a little depressed by your progress but I would say that you are doing excellently. Just look back and think how you have improved over the last four years!

Also I must point out that at the age of 20 I ran 4 mins 14.4 secs for the mile, 14.03 for 3 miles and 29.32 for six, but with plenty of competition and really good tracks to do it on. If you were in London you would do a better time on all these distances.

You must put your head down and keep at it. You only need to run for one and a half hours at the very longest or ten miles every day. I would suggest something like this:

Monday – 7 and a half miles steady run.

Tuesday – 10 miles fast/slow (i.e. not too fast).

Wednesday – 6 miles steady.

Thursday – 10 miles fast/slow

Friday – Rest or jog 30 mins.

Saturday – Competition or 10 miles f/s.

Sunday – One and a half hours running.

Don’t do more than this because it isn’t necessary. Just think about becoming stronger.

Think about all the fellows up and down the country who will be training and they are racing you!

Don’t forget to write now and again, Yours, Gordon Pirie.

p.s. Don’t race longer races !!”

(Although, at this time, Steve had become a good cross-country runner, who was to run the International for Scotland three times from 1960-1962, his main focus was the track – firstly the Mile and subsequently Three Miles, which was to be his Scottish Champion distance.)

13^th January 1960 is date of the next selected letter.

Gordon mentioned: “Now it seems as if you are really blossoming and that the hard work you have been putting in the last few years is to be really justified in the next season.

Basically, the tendon trouble is quite easily cured but take care not to have your shoes too tight at the top of the heel – nor too high and impinging on the Achilles itself. This is a common cause of many Achilles troubles.

I always nick my shoes at each side of the heel so that the top band of my shoes does not dig in. Try it and keep training as before. If your tendons are really sore, get a cobbler to put on quarter inch hard wedge heels under the sole of your training shoes. That should help as well!

Let me know more specific details, Yours, Gordon.”

(A sixty-page book by Gordon and John Gilbody, which is available free as a word document on the internet, has the marvellous title of ‘Running Fast and Injury Free’. Do seek it out – I did so when I had chronic calf injuries about 13 years ago, and advice in this book has allowed me to continue running as an older veteran.)

On 10^th April 1961, Gordon wrote a friendly and detailed letter, which concerned interval training.

“Dear Steve,

                        Just a brief note. Do NOT train twice a day. Do NOT train with Alastair Wood. Do NOT do too much training and Do Not employ short intervals – nothing less than 70 secs efforts. Always take long interval recoveries between flat out runs over a quarter of a mile. Only two, three or four flat out runs over short distances, say 300 metres or 600 metres.

TAKE A REST on Friday and Monday. Do plenty of gymnastics to strengthen abdomen. Sit-ups and mobility exercises.

Whenever over-tired, rest or just jog a little.

If you want a rough guide for interval training, here are some schedules for you to benefit from.

Up to 30 repetitions. 110 yards in 15 secs, interval of 70 secs jogging.

(Warm-up every day for 40 minutes, fairly strongly).

Up to 20 reps. 220 yards in 32 secs, interval 80 secs jogging.

Up to 15 reps. 440 yards in 68 secs, interval 85 secs of jogging.

Faster Training. Warm-up 40 mins.

2 to 4 x 330 yards flat out (42 to 38 secs). Jog 15 minutes between.

2 to 4 x 660 yards flat out (94 to 84 secs). Jog 15 minutes between.

TRY:

Sunday 660 yards fast.

Monday – Rest

Tuesday 110 or 220 reps

Wednesday 440 reps

Thursday 330 fast

Friday – Rest

Saturday Race or run two miles strongly.

Yours, Gordon. KEEP ME INFORMED”

On 12^th February 1962, Gordon wrote the following.

“Dear Stephen, Thanks for the letters, I am very bad for leaving you in the air regards training.

I don’t like your training and I am not surprised you have gone down with ‘athlete’s cold’ – that’s what I call it – so many over-trainers suffer from these same symptoms when they train too much or too fast.

Here is my recipe – follow it more or less, making allowances for the weather and your condition.

Mon – Run easy pace (7 mins mile) for 1 to 1 and a half hours.

Tues – Interval running. (Warm-up 15 mins slowly.) 30×100 metres in 15 secs. Interval jog very slowly for one minute.

Wed – As for Monday.

Thurs – Interval running. 15x400m, 68-70 secs. Interval jog 70 secs slowly.

Fri – Run easy (7 min mile) for one hour.

Sat – Race yourself (or opponents). Alone run 3 miles or 6 miles. (I do from 17 mins to 13.30; and 34 mins to 28 and a half, according to form).

Sunday – Interval 30x200m, 32 secs, slowly jog 65 secs.

Try this and stop messing about with weights and circuit stuff.

All the best, Yours, Gordon.”

On 12^th October 1963, Gordon wrote the following.

“Dear Stephen, I hope that you are still training.

I suppose you saw that Mike Wiggs did 13 minutes 58.4 seconds for 5000 metres – his first race for one year. We believe that we have become pretty skilled at working training out and I am very anxious to help you to reach greater heights.

How about it?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Yours sincerely, Gordon Pirie.”

On 23^rd November 1964, Gordon sent Steve a postcard from San Sebastian.

“How are you getting on?

Drop us a line since I have some more ideas on your training. You could quite easily get in the European Champs with the correct training from now.

Look forward to hearing from your, Gordon Pirie.”

After Steve replied, Gordon wrote the following on 11^th November 1963.

“Re training, you must firstly have a period of easy training – nothing else.

Work it like this:

Sunday – Jog 3 hours (22 miles – awfully slow)

Monday – Jog one and a half hours (11-12 miles)

Tuesday – Jog 2 hours (14-15 miles)

Wednesday – Jog one hour (8 miles)

Thursday – Jog 2 hours (as above)

Friday – Jog one hour

Saturday – Jog 2 hours.

Do this for four weeks.

Then add on Monday – interval 440, start with six, work up to 20, at 70 secs and as you get better down to 67.

Same again for Fridays.

Add also Saturday – do a three miles timed run, starting 15.30 (even pace throughout), increasing to 14 minutes.

Let me know how you progress, Yours, Gordon.”

As has been said the sponsorship provided by the News of the World to all inter-city relays that they supported in the various regions of Britain was exceptional.   Buses, limousines, elaborate dinners and great results services were all part of the package; but the race itself was beautifully organised with banners at and one mile before changeovers, start and finish banners prominently displayed, numerous officials including some who were mainly track and field men pressed into service, four sets of wonderful medals and so on.   This all came to an end in 1965 when it was decided that they could not keep the races going on that scale, it was costing them too much. 

There were some differences in the production.   The most immediate was the lack of limousines, a reduction in the number of coaches (from 9 to 4) and an altered programme.   The programme, which still had the News of the World name at the very top of the front page, went from the elaborate shiny papered version with a page of photographs and reports on the other regional inter city races to a specifically Scottish one.   The new programme produced for the 19th November 1966 race had

•  the list of officials on the front page – 40 in total including 2 recorders, 2 timekeepers and 2 judges at every changeover, 2 mobile judges, clerk of the course and three assistant clerks of the course, and four coach officials, medical officer, official trainer and others;
• pages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 listed the competing clubs in alphabetical order, with their club colours noted,  and all 20 runners from each club listed with their race number;
• page 7 listed every competing club with their best ever time for the race and the year in which it was set, plus the intermediate stage records, the name of the runner who set it and the year of the performance;
• page 8 was the intimations page and noted the awards o be presented, the criteria for the award of the most meritorious medals (‘to the unplaced team who gave the most meritorious performance’), and a note of who would decide on that performance.   In 1966 the panel would consist of LG Kapelle, ES Murray, G Dallas, D McSwein and a fifth official to be selected from R Bacchus, A Falconer or W Lawn as available.

So, other than the pictures, the content was pretty well the same.   The race went on like this until 1977 when the News of the World stopped their sponsorship altogether.   

The race was too important to Scottish endurance running for it to be allowed to go.   It was arguably, along with our teams being included in the world cross-country championships, the most important event on the calendar for raising the standard of the event.  The Union itself took on the job and they organised their first race in 1978.    The coaches were now down to three, the programme was diminished even further.   It was now a five page document, each sheet printed on one side only.

•   Page 1 had the Scottish Cross-Country Union crest and title at the top, followed by the list of officials.   One difference from past years was that the first six names were those of the officers of the Union from President down to Assistant Secretary before the race officials were mentioned.   There were two judges, two recorders and two timekeepers for each stage listed, referee, recorders, four mobile judges and (new job) traffic controllers, clerk of the course as before and the page finished with the names of the organising committee.
• Page 2, 3 and part of 4 had the lists of teams, club colours and runners with numbers;
• Page 4 also had a map of the alteration to the route at Baillieston lights on the seventh stage;
• Page 5, as befits a document produced by the Union, had the Rules for the race, there were twelve, including 1.   the race will be run under the rules and laws of the Scottish Cross-Country Union …  12.  Failure to observe the foregoing rules may render the offending Club liable to disqualification)    and the Union Bye-laws  (eg persons following the race by private car or bus: 1.   Must not part within 880 yds of the first take over; 2.   must not park within 220 yds of any of the other take overs; 3.  must not travel in front, alongside or behind any of the runners, at or near the same speed of the runner; 4.  must not in any way obstruct the free movement of traffic on the roads;  5.  must not park on a “clearway”)   of which there were four 

But they could not go on doing the organising.  It was too much for the Union on its own which, to be fair to them, already had considerable running costs and expenses that had to be met.   It was decided that after the 1979 race, the event would cease.  Consternation, upset, anger and all sorts of emotions quickly came to the surface.   

Step forward Des Yuill.   Des was a runner with Maryhill Harriers who had become a top class official and Des worked with Barr’s Soft drinks company, and a man with a real understanding and feeling for cross-country and road running, and the participants.   He also had a manager who was interested in sport and they often spoke of their own involvement in their own sports.   Des spoke to the manager in the course of one of these regular conversations and was asked what it would take.   Sums were done, estimates made and the Barr’s sponsorship of the Edinburgh to Glasgow eight stage relay started as far as the runners and clubs were concerned in 1980, but as far as Des, the SCCU and Barr’s were concerned it was after a lost of hard work to ensure the seamless transition.

Copies of all types of Edinburgh to Glasgpw Programmes can be found  here

Scottish Universities have a big part to play in the history and development of Scottish athletics – they had strong athletics clubs and fixtures before the SAAA appeared on the scene and they have been part of athletics ever since.   The intention of this page is to have a look at the state of the sport in Scottish universities by taking five year segments.   It is in no way a comprehensive history of university athletics through the ages.   There is too much detail for that.  It is a look at how the sport was developing and who the main characters were.  Links to various periods are below.

In the beginning: 1871 – 1873    University Athletics 1875 – 1879   

University Athletics 1950 – 54      University Athletics 1955 – 1959     University Athletics 1960 – 64       University Athletics 1965 – 1969  

University Athletics 1970 – 74

REVIEW OF ‘THE GREEN MACHINE’ BY ALISTAIR BLAMIRE

“The Green Machine”    by   Alistair Blamire   

Alistair Blamire was a very good distance runner indeed whether you are talking of track, road or country.   He is consequently well versed in the ways of athletes. Note that the Inter-Scholastic Under-14 300 yards championship was won in 1928 by JRA Blamire, and in 1930 by G Blamire in 41.6 seconds.   Talent runs in the family.   A profile of Alistair and a look at his athletic career can be found  here 

The standard of Scottish athletics in the ’60s was high but nowhere higher than in Edinburgh where the Southern Harriers and Athletic Clubs were doing great things – the real story however had to the one about the University Hare & Hounds team.   Universities have, by their very nature varying degrees of success from year to year with continuity being hard to achieve.   Students come and students go.   But when the team of the late 60’s on into the early 70’s not only attained a higher standard than ever before, but maintained it year after year for slightly longer than a decade, it really was something to be proud of.   

Colin Youngson wrote the profile referred to above so when Alistair’s book on the fantastic Edinburgh University running ‘machine’ was published, who better to review it.   He writes –

This new publication is highly recommended to anyone interested in the history and development of distance running, particularly by serious top-class Scottish amateur athletes in the 1960s and 1970s, an era which produced so many fine performances which remained unequalled by Scots until very recently.

This is mainly ‘The story of Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds 1960-1970’.   However, the frame of reference ranges from the 1920s to nowadays, and cites worldwide influences.   Simply reading the excellent index is a pleasure, since it lists so many names, events and places which are significant to runners with a keen interest in their sport.
The foreword is by Donald Macgregor (a leading competitor in the 1972 Olympic Marathon), who had often trained with the classy green-vested runners of Edinburgh University – when they included in their number two other Olympians (Fergus Murray and Gareth Bryan-Jones) and athletes who took part in Commonwealth Games, ran for Great Britain and Scotland, broke records and achieved victories in championships and important races in Scotland and other parts of Britain.

Alistair Blamire was one of their stars – he represented Britain in the steeplechase and was often a Scottish international cross-country runner – and writes with elegant precision about the historical context for the great success of EUH&H.   A major chapter is about the career of Fergus Murray who, learning from the training ideas of Percy Cerruty and Arthur Lydiard, improved to world class and inspired many clubmates to train very hard and emulate his success.

The book includes fascinating details about prominent Edinburgh Harriers and their individual and team achievements. They poured tremendous energy into training and racing but often found a little more to celebrate afterwards!

Impressive statistics are also provided; as well as forty interesting black and white photographs of teams and races. The overall effect is a detailed insight into: the end of the amateur period, when Scottish distance runners were highly rated in Europe; and their personalities, rivalries and social lives.

Young athletes nowadays will learn a lot about how to improve their running; older, nostalgic readers will appreciate insider anecdotes and Alistair Blamire’s crystal-clear perspective on an important era in Scottish Athletics

To order a copy of ‘The Green Machine’ please send a cheque for £12, payable to Alistair Blamire, and a note of your full address, to Alistair Blamire, 97/5 East London Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4BF. A copy will be posted to you as soon as possible.

(Review by Colin Youngson, who – at Aberdeen University in the 1960s – was frequently crushed by, and later on – as an Edinburgh Southern Harrier in the 1970s – competed less unsuccessfully with, many of the fine runners honoured in this admirable book.)