Like father like son - Andrew Aitken of Highgate Harriers churning it out at the Brighton Half Marathon 08' before being led off course....
Alastair Aitken is the author of "More Than Winning" A fantastic read of athletes' thoughts, philosophy and practical advice... Sixty of the world's top competitors over the last thirty years. And all clean behind the ears if you follow......
Hugh Jones, who won the London Marathon in 1982 in 2:9:24 and went on to come second in the New York Marathon
"The AAA's at Rugby in 1981, that told me that I had a future in the event. Until that point I was Okay but did not know whether I would make it or not. Once I won that on a tough course against good opposition in 2:14, a bit of a revelation and, the next year, I was able to run faster around 2:10 on a less severe course, which was not surprising after I had done that tough race the year before in 2:14.'
'Ian Thompson had a similar experience when he won the Harlow Marathon. I heard him say something similar. Up to that point he did not really have any clear idea whether he was good or not good enough. When he ran that race he knew this was his thing and it the same for me."
Steve Jones, still the fastest UK runner over a marathon (2:07:13 in 1985)
" My Welsh cross-country title in 1977.
In 1976 I did not get picked for the World cross country and finished seventh. They did not name me as a reserve. I thought 'Right' next time they are going to have to pick me!
I focused on the Welsh Championships each year. I won so they had to pick me. That was the start of it all I think, of learning how to focus and prepare. That was the springboard to my memorable runs in London, Chicago and New York."
Mel Batty was the last person to coach a British London Marathon winner in Eamonn Martin in 1993.
Batty was National cross country champion in 1964 and 1965
"The International 'World' cross country Championships of 1965 when I led all the way and ran into the ground runners like Michel Jazy, Michel Bernard, Gaston Roelants and Mohamed Gamoudi. Although I was judged second I think I won the race, if not should have been a tie (With Jean Fayolle of France).. When I set the 10 mile World track record was very satisfying but, in that cross-country race with such World Class opposition. I beat them all, as well as the English guys around who were all great racers. Ron Hill, Basil Heatley, Bruce Tulloh etc. I had led all the way because I was a front runner."
Bruce Tulloh the 1962 European 5000m Champion
" Obviously the highlight in terms of prestige was the European Championship win because of the mental and physical effort I put into that. I rate that very high also I think for everybody the breakthrough from fairly unknown to winning the 1959 AAA's 3 mille Championships (He also won in 1962 and 1963). In 1958 I almost came last, just squeezed in the 'A' race. I thought well I have entered the 1959 race, even though I had a bit of a break after doing my finals at University and starting a part-time job. The chance came along. Peter Clarke was the best man in the race as Stan Edlon the previous year's winner and Gordon Pirie were not running. After I won Jack Crump said to me 'Are you available for Finland and Russia in two week's time. I said I was not quite sure I was ready for that. He said 'You might not be asked again!"
http://www.tullohbooks.com
Jim Hogan the European Marathon Champion of 1962. He ran 13:19:6 for 3 miles in 1965 and was the World record holder for 30k in 1966
"It was the Southern 3 miles at Motspur Park in 1962 (13:27.6). We got to the start and I said to Gerry North 'It's no good waiting around for these lads. We will cut it out for them. You take the first two laps and I'll take the next two 'lovely'.
'I went through the mile in 4:24. I looked around and Gerry was not there. He was way back. The others were still sitting on me, nobody would take the pace. All of a sudden Bill Kirk came up and took the lead with a 71' fifth lap. On the sixth lap I came into the straight with just over six laps to go, went to the front and did a 62' and got a good lead. Mel Batty came after me and did a 59' which knackered him. I never took my leg off the pedal. I got to the bell 50 metres in front and I won by a second. That gave me satisfaction, more than anything else, as there were some great runners in the race. It was the first and only time that I ran the second part of a 3 miles faster than the first half."
Andy Graffin a 3:35:53 1500 runner in 2002
"For me the most memorable would be the 1500 Semi-Final in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, just because it was the Olympic Games (He did 3:39:52 in his heat). Probably almost equally satisfying was the race to qualify for the Olympics.
It was in Leverkusen, Germany.I did 3:36:18 a month before the Olympic Games. It was the last gasp attempt. The qualification was at 10.00am on the Monday and it was 4.00pm on the Sunday, with all the pressure on me to do it, 'Now or Never effort' and I ran the qualifying time'
' I must admit that my coach Tim Hutchings was invaluable with his advice as he had done it all at an even higher level."
Thank you to Alistair for a fantastic insight. And here is mine....
WELL ARD