BRISTOL ATHLETES
by UK Athletics coach for endurance Bud Baldaro (2007)
The running scene in Bristol has been dominated for many years by the ferocious rivalry between Bristol and West and Westbury Harriers. Part of the recent trend of road running has been the growth of smaller more “social “ clubs who appear to cater for the keen but perhaps less intense band of runners that are now part of the picture. Great Western Runners and Bitton Roadrunners are two examples of clubs that have offered great support for the local running community.
However the 80s and 90s were very much an era of the two super clubs in Bristol.
Mike Down has inspired countless generations of athletes on behalf of Bristol and in the ‘80s and early ‘90s Irish international George Blackburn was the Westbury guru devoting himself tirelessly to helping youngsters develop their talents.
Possibly Bristol’s crowning glory on the road scene was winning the National 12 stage road relay, held in Sutton Coldfield, in a record time in 1980. Indeed that record stands to this day and is virtually 10 mins quicker than current winning times. The 12 stage alternated a long leg of approx 5.6 miles and a short stage of 3.1 miles. Finding 12 quality runners was the hallmark of a great squad (and of course the ‘80s were the Gateshead successful years spearheaded by talisman Brendan Foster).
Bristol’s triumph saw them fail by just 37 sec to better the 4 hours barrier – an astonishing piece of team running. A team in depth that featured 2 genuine world class athletes, local Bristolian, Nick Rose and Welshman Steve Jones – undoubtedly two of the worlds greatest ever road runners.
Local school teacher Nick Rose won the national cross, shared in England triumphs at the world cross champs, set the UK record for half marathon in the USA and wonderfully was a finalist in the Olympic 10,000m.
Flying Welshman Steve Jones career was even more illustrious. Still holder of the UK record for the marathon set as long ago as 1985 Steve was also the fastest man that year in the world with his 2 hours 07m 13sec clocking.
Initially unable to make the RAF team, by sheer effort and commitment he became the worlds greatest 26 miler winning the Chicago, Boston and London marathons. He also claimed bronze in the Commonwealth Games 10,000m and to complete his hand of varying terrains took an individual medal in the World Cross champs.
Two of Steve’s RAF colleagues and also members of Bristol was Roger Clark, himself an international athlete and Ray Crabbe yet another international. The strong link forged between the RAF and Bristol AC stood the club in good stead.
For Westbury there were great successes over the cross country in the ‘90s, in particular their near total domination of the Midland Champs when Blaise Castle hosted the event.
Ably assisted by Former European Junior 5000m Champion Simon Mugglestone and Welsh international Chris Buckley they totally commandeered the top 10. Mugglestone’s colleague Heidi Moulder was fourth in the European Juniors.
These athletes had followed the lead set by one of Westburys earlier stars international steeplechaser Tony Staynings, who like Rose and Jones was an Olympian. And like Rose, Staynings enjoyed the benefits of running and studying at an American university
Yet another Olympian involved with the Bristol running scene is the reigning Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jo Pavey.
Current internationals include Lucy Hassell, Kate Reed, Amy Stiles, Rob Whalley and Ben Noad. All of Bristol who currently are very much the dominant team in the city.
Now under the astute guidance of Keith Brackstone, a member of the record breaking relay squad Bristol University are fast becoming one of the formidable university teams in the country. One of their stars is Stroud’s Tom Russell, a member of GB U/23 gold medal winning team at last year’s European Champs.
With yet another record entry of 15,000 in this year’s Reebok Bristol half marathon the future for Bristol road running and Bristol athletes looks very rosy.
