LONGWOOD Harriers are to celebrate the 50th anniversary since one of their club members broke the world mile record.
Derek Ibbotson, 75, (right) won bronze in the 5,000m at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne and trimmed eight seconds off the mile record in London a year later.
Ibbotson’s achievements will be celebrated by the club at a dinner held at the Holiday Inn in Brighouse tomorow.
Longwood secretary David Owen said the event will also celebrate the Huddersfield-born athlete being given an MBE in the 2008 New Years’ Honours.
“Lots of Derek’s old running friends who he used to compete with in the 1950s and 60s will be present,” Owen said.
He added: “He was a great runner who came from a modest background and managed to reach the top in athletics of his chosen event.
“He was a true Yorkshireman and was a member of Longwood Harriers for such a long time. Even now he maintains his interest in the club.”
Ibbotson was made a life member at Longwood and received the Examiner’s Lifetime Achievement Award two years ago.
More than 400 people have registered to take part in the Huddersfield 10k.
The event, organised by Huddersfield Road Runners AC, takes place in their 25th anniversary year and will be held on Sunday, February 28, starting at 11.00 at Lockwood Park. The club hopes to reach a target of 550 runners for the race.
So far, over 400 British runners, two Canadians and an Italian athlete are set to compete.
There is over £1,000 on offer for prizes including an extra £100 if the course record is broken.
The male record is currently held by Rob Holladay, from Morpeth AC, who completed the course in 32min 45sec in 1997 with the female record held by Rowan Smith, of Scarborough AC, in 36-07 in 2002.
If you would like to compete in the Huddersfield 10k, contact the race director Les Gruszka on 07810 223045.
