THE 1932 NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP

THE 1932 "NATIONAL"

The National was held at Stacey Hill for a second time on 12 March 1932. This was the last time the National was held in the locality until the 1980s.

289 runners took part.

On the following Monday there was a race for local boys held over some parts of the course used for the Saturday event.

This medal shown above was worn by one of the Honorary Stewards (Lord Hillingdon, Lieut.-Col. L. C. Hawkins, Lieut.-Col, J. Williams, M. C., Mr. H. E. Meacham, the Rev. Canon W. L. Harnett, M.A., Mr. W. Purslow, Capt. Sir G. Bowyer. M.C., ,Messrs. E. J. Boyce, H. Lunn, E. G. Milner, W. W. Carlile, O.B.E., D.L., A. E. Peters, A. T. Fletcher, J. Knight, E. F. Merrett) at the event. It is not known which of the Honorary Stewards wore this particular medal.

RESULTS

1st: Alec Burns, Elswick Harriers
2nd: George Bailey, Salford Harriers
3rd: Jack Holden, Tipton

Team: Birchfield Harriers

The Contemporary Newspaper Reports provide a lot of information about the event including details of the results and names of stewards.

The badge shown above was worn by the Honorary Secretary (probably Mr EJ Holt) at the event.

MORE ABOUT THE RUNNERS

What Else Did The Winners Win?

Alec Burns won the AAA 4 miles in 1931. Second in International, 1934. He won a Bronze Medal in the Three Miles at the 1934 Commonwealth Games.

George Bailey won the AAA 10 miles in 1933. Hw won a Gold Medal for the Steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games in 1930 and the Bronze Medal in the same event four years later.

Jack Holden won the "National" in 1938, 1939 and 1946 and the International Cross Country in 1933, 1934, 1935 and 1939. But these were just a few of his successes. Read more about Jack Holden and his amazing running career.

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