Tommy Clarke

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameWilliam Thomas "Tommy"•Clarke
Used nameTommy•Clarke
Born13 November 1882 in Harmston, England (GBR)
Died2 November 1960 in Liverpool, England (GBR)
AffiliationsSefton Harriers, Liverpool (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Tommy Clarke first took up running in 1904, but his career prospered when he went to live in Liverpool two years later. In 1907, he won the Northern cross-country title and placed third in the AAA 10 miles. In 1908 he placed fifth in the International Cross-Country, won the Liverpool Olympic marathon trial, but failed to finish in the Poly race. In the Olympic marathon he was the first Briton to finish. He later had a brief but unsuccessful career as a professional.

Personal Bests: Mar – 3-16:08.6 (1908); Mar (track) – 2-51:50.0 (1910).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Athletics GBR Tommy Clarke
Marathon, Men (Olympic) 12

Errata

Date of birth previously listed as 3 May 1873 in Harmston, Lincolnshire; this is incorrect as per further research. Contemporary newspaper records also confirm that he was known as "Tommy Clarke", not "Billy".