Derek Ibbotson
Encyclopedia
George Derek Ibbotson MBE
(born June 17, 1932 in Huddersfield
, West Riding of Yorkshire
, England
) was an English
runner who excelled in athletics in the 1950s. His most famous achievement was setting a new world record
in the mile in 1957.
Ibbotson was born in Huddersfield and studied at King James's Grammar School in Almondbury
. He was of the generation that included other great British milers such as Roger Bannister
, Chris Brasher
and Christopher Chataway
. He was the junior champion in Britain in 1951.
After service in the Royal Air Force
, Ibbotson returned to competition. In 1956 at Melbourne
, he won a bronze medal
in the 5,000 meters. After the Games, Ibbotson focused on the mile run, which was probably an error. Ibbotson began the 1957 season running in mile races, as a 5000m or 3 mile runner would often do in the early part of the facing season - to race at a faster pace than he would need in those longer distances. After he had run a particularly fast mile at a Glasgow, an experienced athletics official told the BBC that while it was a very good time, he and many others felt that Ibbotson’s greater potential was over 5000m or 3 miles.
Unfortunately, somebody then organised one of the many “miles of the century” and Ibbotson won, probably because Delaney, the 1500m champion at Melbourne the previous year, was boxed in at a crucial point on the final lap. The time was a new world record, taking .8 of a second off John Landy's time of 3.58min set in 1954. The result was that Ibbotson went on running in mile races throughout the season - although also taking part in some longer distance events - and he ran a great number of races and ended the season exhausted. It was not just the number of races but the faster pace at which they were run.
Ibbotson never found the same form again and this added to the myth of runners "straining themselves" so confidently recited by people who never understood the sport. A lot of runners dropped out of top-line athletics after one or two successful seasons but it was more because, after a winter break from track training, they were unable to re-apply themselves to the gruelling and monotonous training - interval and repetition running - that was necessary to maintain speed. Ibbotson represented England in the then Empire Games at Cardiff in 1958 and, like everyone else, was beaten out of sight by the great Herb Elliott. In 1957 the press had eulogised him at every opportunity - after Cardiff they were seeking an explanation as to why our runners had been unsuccessful and missed the obvious answer that they were up against runners like Elliott and Murray Halberg. They decided that out team had been out partying while at Cardiff and one of the chief targets for that ridiculour smear was Ibbotson.
Ibbotson soldiered on and in 1960, in a vain bit for the Rome Olympics of that year, he emulated Gordon Pirie who, when he was struggling for form, increased his racing and took part in shorter races than he usually, because it was good speed training. Ibbotson was not so successful and was not selected for Rome. He may not have regretted that after the fiasco of our top competitors being forbidden to go to Rome earlier than the main party, in a bid to become acclimatised to the heat as the Games were held in the height of the Roman summer. They all under-performed.
On September 3, 1958, Ibbotson entered sports trivia books by running the first ever 4 minute mile, finishing fourth in exactly 4:00.00 at White City
.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours
for services to athletics.
In 2011, he was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame
.
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...
(born June 17, 1932 in Huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
, West Riding of Yorkshire
West Riding of Yorkshire
The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county, County of York, West Riding , was based closely on the historic boundaries...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
runner who excelled in athletics in the 1950s. His most famous achievement was setting a new world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
in the mile in 1957.
Ibbotson was born in Huddersfield and studied at King James's Grammar School in Almondbury
Almondbury
Almondbury is a district 2 miles south east of Huddersfield town centre in West Yorkshire, England. The population of Almondbury in 2001 was 7,368Almondbury appears in the Domesday Book as "Almondeberie"...
. He was of the generation that included other great British milers such as 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...
, Chris Brasher
Chris Brasher
Christopher William "Chris" Brasher CBE was a British athlete, sports journalist and co-founder of the London Marathon.-History:...
and Christopher Chataway
Christopher Chataway
Sir Christopher John Chataway is a British former middle- and long-distance runner, television news broadcaster, and a Conservative politician...
. He was the junior champion in Britain in 1951.
After service in the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, Ibbotson returned to competition. In 1956 at Melbourne
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...
, he won a bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
in the 5,000 meters. After the Games, Ibbotson focused on the mile run, which was probably an error. Ibbotson began the 1957 season running in mile races, as a 5000m or 3 mile runner would often do in the early part of the facing season - to race at a faster pace than he would need in those longer distances. After he had run a particularly fast mile at a Glasgow, an experienced athletics official told the BBC that while it was a very good time, he and many others felt that Ibbotson’s greater potential was over 5000m or 3 miles.
Unfortunately, somebody then organised one of the many “miles of the century” and Ibbotson won, probably because Delaney, the 1500m champion at Melbourne the previous year, was boxed in at a crucial point on the final lap. The time was a new world record, taking .8 of a second off John Landy's time of 3.58min set in 1954. The result was that Ibbotson went on running in mile races throughout the season - although also taking part in some longer distance events - and he ran a great number of races and ended the season exhausted. It was not just the number of races but the faster pace at which they were run.
Ibbotson never found the same form again and this added to the myth of runners "straining themselves" so confidently recited by people who never understood the sport. A lot of runners dropped out of top-line athletics after one or two successful seasons but it was more because, after a winter break from track training, they were unable to re-apply themselves to the gruelling and monotonous training - interval and repetition running - that was necessary to maintain speed. Ibbotson represented England in the then Empire Games at Cardiff in 1958 and, like everyone else, was beaten out of sight by the great Herb Elliott. In 1957 the press had eulogised him at every opportunity - after Cardiff they were seeking an explanation as to why our runners had been unsuccessful and missed the obvious answer that they were up against runners like Elliott and Murray Halberg. They decided that out team had been out partying while at Cardiff and one of the chief targets for that ridiculour smear was Ibbotson.
Ibbotson soldiered on and in 1960, in a vain bit for the Rome Olympics of that year, he emulated Gordon Pirie who, when he was struggling for form, increased his racing and took part in shorter races than he usually, because it was good speed training. Ibbotson was not so successful and was not selected for Rome. He may not have regretted that after the fiasco of our top competitors being forbidden to go to Rome earlier than the main party, in a bid to become acclimatised to the heat as the Games were held in the height of the Roman summer. They all under-performed.
On September 3, 1958, Ibbotson entered sports trivia books by running the first ever 4 minute mile, finishing fourth in exactly 4:00.00 at White City
White City Stadium
White City Stadium was built in White City, London, for the 1908 Summer Olympics, often seen as the precursor to the modern seater stadium and noted for hosting the finish of the first modern distance marathon. It also hosted speedway and a match at the 1966 World Cup, before the stadium was...
.
He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours
New Year Honours 2008
The New Year Honours 2008 for the Commonwealth Realms were announced on 29 December 2007, to celebrate the year passed and mark the beginning of 2008....
for services to athletics.
In 2011, he was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame
England Athletics Hall of Fame
The England Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in 2008 with a panel of experts selecting a list of potential inductees for athletics fans and members of the public to vote on. The Hall of Fame honours those who have made an outstanding contribution to the sport of athletics in England...
.