Chris Brasher
Encyclopedia
Christopher William "Chris" Brasher CBE
(21 August 1928 – 28 February 2003) was a British
athlete, sports journalist
and co-founder of the London Marathon
.
, Brasher was a student of the Duke of York's Royal Military School
and later a graduate of St John's College, Cambridge
.
In 1954, he acted as pacemaker for Roger Bannister
when the latter ran the first sub-four-minute mile at the Iffley Road Stadium in Oxford. Brasher paced Bannister for the first two laps, while his friend Chris Chataway paced the third. Two years later, at the 1956 Summer Olympics
in Melbourne, Australia, Brasher finished first in the 3,000 metres steeplechase
with a time of 8 minutes 41.2 seconds, but was disqualified for allegedly interfering with another runner, Ernst Larsen
of Norway
. The following day, after an investigation, he was reinstated as gold medallist.
He was one of the pioneers of orienteering
in Britain and can claim the first public mention of the sport in an article in The Observer in 1957.
He had distinguished careers in journalism as sports editor for The Observer
newspaper and in broadcasting, as a reporter for the Tonight programme.
In 1971 he founded "Chris Brasher's Sporting Emporium" which later became "Sweatshop". In 1978 he designed the innovative Brasher Boot — a walking boot with the comfort of a running shoe. Three years later, he founded the London Marathon
. In 1983 he became the second president of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races
, an office which he held until 1987.
He was married to tennis champion Shirley Brasher
née Bloomer.
Brasher was awarded the CBE
in 1996.
In 2003, he died at his home in Chaddleworth
, Berkshire
, after an illness lasting several months.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(21 August 1928 – 28 February 2003) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
athlete, sports journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and co-founder of the London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
.
History
Born in Georgetown, GuyanaGeorgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 , is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at . The city serves...
, Brasher was a student of the Duke of York's Royal Military School
Duke of York's Royal Military School
The Duke of York’s Royal Military School, more commonly called the Duke of York’s, is a co-educational Academy with military traditions in Dover, Kent, open to pupils whose parents are serving or have served in any branch of the United Kingdom armed forces for a minimum of 4 years...
and later a graduate of St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
.
In 1954, he acted as pacemaker for Roger Bannister
Roger Bannister
Sir Roger Gilbert Bannister, CBE is an English former athlete best known for running the first recorded mile in less than 4 minutes...
when the latter ran the first sub-four-minute mile at the Iffley Road Stadium in Oxford. Brasher paced Bannister for the first two laps, while his friend Chris Chataway paced the third. Two years later, at the 1956 Summer Olympics
1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVI Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1956, with the exception of the equestrian events, which could not be held in Australia due to quarantine regulations...
in Melbourne, Australia, Brasher finished first in the 3,000 metres steeplechase
Steeplechase (athletics)
The steeplechase is an obstacle race in athletics, which derives its name from the steeplechase in horse racing.-Rules:The length of the race is usually 3000 m; junior events are 2000 m, as women's events formerly were. The circuit has four ordinary barriers and one water jump. Over 3000 m, each...
with a time of 8 minutes 41.2 seconds, but was disqualified for allegedly interfering with another runner, Ernst Larsen
Ernst Larsen
Ernst Larsen was a Norwegian athlete, who competed mainly in the 3000 metre steeplechase. He represented Ranheim IL....
of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. The following day, after an investigation, he was reinstated as gold medallist.
He was one of the pioneers of orienteering
Orienteering
Orienteering is a family of sports that requires navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain, and normally moving at speed. Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they...
in Britain and can claim the first public mention of the sport in an article in The Observer in 1957.
- I have just taken part, for the first time, in one of the best sports in the world. It is hard to know what to call it. The Norwegians call it 'orientation'...
He had distinguished careers in journalism as sports editor for The Observer
The Observer
The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...
newspaper and in broadcasting, as a reporter for the Tonight programme.
In 1971 he founded "Chris Brasher's Sporting Emporium" which later became "Sweatshop". In 1978 he designed the innovative Brasher Boot — a walking boot with the comfort of a running shoe. Three years later, he founded the London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
. In 1983 he became the second president of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races
Association of International Marathons and Distance Races
The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races, also known as AIMS, is an association of long-distance running races. Originally founded in 1982 at a meeting in London of marathon race directors, its membership was extended in 1986 to include all road races...
, an office which he held until 1987.
He was married to tennis champion Shirley Brasher
Shirley Brasher
Shirley Brasher, née Bloomer is an English former tennis player who won three Grand Slam titles during her career and who was the second ranked singles player in her country in 1957....
née Bloomer.
Brasher was awarded the CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1996.
In 2003, he died at his home in Chaddleworth
Chaddleworth
Chaddleworth is a village and civil parish in the English county of Berkshire.-Geography:The village of Chaddleworth lies below the southern slopes of the Berkshire Downs, just east of the A338 road, which runs between Hungerford and Wantage to form the western parish boundary...
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, after an illness lasting several months.