John Benham

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohn Cecil•Benham
Used nameJohn•Benham
Born26 June 1900 in Deptford, England (GBR)
Died10 January 1990 in Vancouver, British Columbia (CAN)
AffiliationsSurrey AC, Kingston-upon-Thames (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

After finishing 13th (out of 52 starters) in the 1924 International Cross-Country Championship at Gosforth Park, Newcastle-on-Tyne, John Benham ran in the Olympic race that summer, but failed to finish after collapsing in the intense heat. That same year, Benham retained his Surrey 4-mile title and was a member of the 10-man Surrey AC relay team that won the coveted London-to-Brighton race. He also enjoyed his best AAA finish when he finished sixth, in the 4-miles. Benham had won the Surrey 7-mile title in 1923, and in 1925, narrowly failed to retain his 4-mile title, when finishing third.

The son of a London printer, John Benham had a diverse assortment of jobs including working for a silversmith, as a trader in Nigeria, and in the insurance industry. He also signed up to the London Regiment of the Territorial Army in 1925.

Personal Best: 4 miles – 20:08.0 (1924).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1924 Summer Olympics Athletics GBR John Benham
Cross-Country, Individual, Men (Olympic) DNF
Cross-Country, Team, Men (Olympic) Great Britain AC