Categories
2021 Latest News

Ron Hill

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of legendary Bolton Harrier & Former British marathon runner Ron Hill who has died at the age of 82.

Legendary Bolton Harrier Mike Freary (left) with Ron Hill

The 1969 European Athletics Championships marathon gold-medal winner was the second man to break the two hours and 10 minutes barrier in the discipline.

Ron claimed marathon gold at the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and was the first British runner to win the (74th) Boston marathon.

He competed at the 1964 Tokyo, 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympics. Hill also laid claim to the longest unbroken streak of running every day, that lasted 52 years and 39 days, from 1964 to 2017.

He is one of the greatest athletes in British athletics history, setting world records at 10 miles, 15 miles, 25km – the latter two on the Bolton Harriers’ Leverhulme Park track in 1965.

Ron Hill was born in Accrington and although he has never lived in Bolton, his name has been synonymous with the town since he joined Bolton United Harriers when he was at his peak and he remained so as a Life Member of the club.

He never forgot his Bolton connections, competing in the iconic annual Rivington Pike Fell Race on 40 occasions, the last being in 2016.

Incredibly for a man with a CV of success as deep as his, it is the fact he ran a mile every day for more than 52 years which is one of his most memorable achievements.

Our sincere condolences and best wishes go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.