Len Eyre

Middle-distance runner Len Eyre won many Leeds & District, and Yorkshire titles. He was also a fine cross-country runner and, being a civil servant in the Post Office Saving Department, won the Civil Service Cross-Country Championship six years in succession, 1948-53. He competed in the International Cross-Country Championships on two occasions, at Dublin in 1949 and Bruxelles in 1950, with 17th in 1950 being his best finish individually.

At one time Eyre was regarded as one of the best milers in Britain and finished third to Bill Nankeville in the 1940 AAA mile, and was second to him the following year. He was also third, behind winner Gordon Pirie, in the 1953 AAA three miles. That same year, Eyre led Yorkshire to win the Inter-counties cross-country title at Kettering, when he also won the individual title.

Eyre’s finest moment internationally came at the British Empire Games at Auckland in 1950 when he won the three miles title and was runner-up to Canada’s Bill Parnell in the mile. Eyre also competed in the European Championships at Bruxelles that same year and finished fifth in the 1500 metres in 3:51.0. At the 1952 Olympics, he was eliminated in his opening heat in the 1500 after finishing sixth.

Personal Best: 1500 – 3:50.0 (1951).