Ron Hill

[Keyboard Worrier]

The British running legend has sadly died at 52. Second man ever to run under 2 hours 10 minutes for the marathon, winner of the Boston Marathon and also holds the world record for the longest running streak which lasted 52 years and 39 days.

 

[chickenrunner]

82 not 52

 

[Keyboard Worrier]

Yes 82. Me mixing up the fact that he ran for 52 years. Amazing effort.

 

[borolad259]

A true legend. Only recently had to give up his running a mile at least every day.
Top bloke. And his gear is good too.

 

[FabioPorkpie]

This may sound like a daft question, and I’m not trying to be clever, but what do you mean by ‘running streak that lasted 52 yes and 39 days’.
Apologies if I’m just being really thick.
Does it just mean he ran a set amount per day, over that period, without missing a day?

 

[bear66]

Still got my Ron Hill striders!

We have not faired well internationally at the Men's marathon since.

 

[Keyboard Worrier]

This may sound like a daft question, and I’m not trying to be clever, but what do you mean by ‘running streak that lasted 52 yes and 39 days’.
Apologies if I’m just being really thick.
Does it just mean he ran a set amount per day, over that period, without missing a day?

It means he ran every single day for 52 years and 39 days. His rule was that he had to do a minimum of 1 mile and it didnt matter about pace. The reality of course was that he was a top quality athlete for many many years and ran miles and miles but even when he retired from competing he kept running every day.

 

[Zoophonic]

Sad. Remember he had a trademark string running vest. First marathon runner I remember from 1968 and 1972 Olympics. Had a sports shop in Mancheater Ron Hill sports.

 

[samizdat]

I had the privilege of running against Ron in the 1960's He was a warm and friendly man. I got very familiar with ths sight of his back receding into the distance in front of me. RIP, Ron

 

[swordtrombonefish]

One of the rare breed of 'real' legends and not the latest new kid on the block legend that the media spaff out every day. RIP

 

[Cardiffdaffs]

A real legend indeed. In the days when Brits didn’t win long distance races in major championships in the late 60s Ron Hill came along and stamped his talent on the marathon. Always recall him beating Gaston Roelants in the 1969 European Championships and he then went on to win the 1970 Commonwealth Gold in Edinburgh. In the 1972 Olympics he started as favourite to win the marathon. Having led for half the race he faded within the last few miles and finished 6th. Always recall feeling gutted that he didn’t do it. An American called Frank Shorter won the gold medal.

He was the first Brit to win the Boston marathon shaving 3 mins off the previous best.

Ron was one of my earliest athletics heroes and wished I had met him.

 

[Lemmy_kilmister]

Ron Hills and stilettos...the standard uniform of the Army wife.

 

[WindyNook]

Just bought a new pair of Ron Hills as they are known as great lightweight running tracker bottoms. A great man ahead of his time even ran around airport terminals on stop overs to keep his run every day record intact. Accrington's finest.