Alexander Duncan (athlete)
Alexander Duncan (24 February 1884 – 21 January 1959) was a British long-distance runner. He was considered among the fastest long distance runners of the world.[1]
![]() | |
Personal information | |
---|---|
Nationality | British |
Born | Kendal, Cumbria, England | 24 February 1884
Died | 21 January 1959 74) | (aged
Sport | |
Sport | Long-distance running |
Event(s) | Marathon |
Information
Duncan belonged to the Kendal Welcome Harrier Club.[1] Duncan won the English Open Mile in 1902 and came third in the English Half-Mile. He won the Salford Harrier's sports and Preston Guild mile as well in 1902.[2] In 1903, he won the Mile at New Brighton and the Two Miles Handicap at Stanley Park in Liverpool. He then picked up more victories in Barrow, Dalton-in-Furness, Darlington, Jendal, Glassgow and Leeds. Duncan won the British Northern Counties 4 miles race in 1906.[3] In 1907, Duncan won the Northern Counties 4 miles again and won the 1997 AAA 4 Miles.[4][3] Duncan also came in second place in the 1907 AAA 10 miles race.[3] In 1908, he won the AAA 10 miles race[4] and then won the 22.5 mile English Marathon Olympic Trial.[4][3] Duncan competed in the men's marathon at the 1908 Summer Olympics[5] but did not finish along with seven of his teammates.[3]
Duncan was scheduled to race in the US and Canada in 1909 as part of a tour with Fred Appleby.[6][7][1] He joined the Kendal Police Force in 1910 and his police duties effectively retired him from the track.[2] He later became a Vice-President of the North Staffordshire Harriers.[2]
Duncan was also said to be skilled at gardening and produced "admired" floral displays".[2] Duncan was married and passed away on January 21, 1959.[3][2][8]
References
- Fred Appleby and Alex Duncan Intend to Cross Atlantic and Meet America's Best, Vancouver Daily World, 1909, retrieved 13 March 2023
- P.C. A. Duncan's 25 Years in Force, Evening Sentinel, 1934, retrieved 13 March 2023
- "Alexander Duncan". Olympedia. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
- An invitation to novices, The Staffordshire Sentinel, 1910, retrieved 13 March 2023
- Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Alexander Duncan Olympic Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- Another Marathon Runner, Nanaimo Daily News, 1909, retrieved 13 March 2023
- English Marathon Runner Coming Over, The Evening Mail, 1909, retrieved 13 March 2023
- Alex Duncan, Anent Scottish Running, retrieved 13 March 2023