Chris Brasher

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Christopher William Brasher (August 21, 1928 - February 28, 2003) was a British athlete and sports journalist who helped found the London Marathon.

Related Topics:
August 21 - 1928 - February 28 - 2003 - British - Athlete - Journalist - London Marathon

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Brasher was born in Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. 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. 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.

Related Topics:
Georgetown - Guyana - 1954 - Roger Bannister - Oxford - 1956 Summer Olympics - Melbourne, Australia - Steeplechase - Ernst Larsen - Norway

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Brasher, a graduate of St John's College, Cambridge, went on to enjoy a distinguished career in journalism as sports editor for The Observer newspaper and in broadcasting, working as a reporter for the Tonight programme. Brasher was awarded the CBE in 1996.

Related Topics:
St John's College, Cambridge - The Observer - CBE - 1996

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He died at his home in Chaddleworth, Berkshire, after an illness lasting several months.http://sport.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,10488,905308,00.html

Related Topics:
Chaddleworth - Berkshire

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