Joan Page-Allison

Joan Page joined Cambridge Harriers in 1961 and, as a long jumper, won the Kent junior county title the following year. She started middle-distance running in 1963 and won the first of three Southern Counties 880 yards/800 metres titles in 1965, the others being in 1971 and 1973.

Page became known as Joan Allison following her marriage in 1970 and enjoyed podium finishes in both the WAAA 1,500 metres and and WAAA Indoor 800 in 1971 before eventually winning her only WAAA title, the 1500 in 1973. Internationally, Page-Allison won a 1500 silver medal at both the 1970 Edinburgh and 1974 Christchurch, New Zealand, British Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, despite two Olympic appearances, she never progressed beyond the first round.

After ending her competitive career, Page-Alison was manager of the Great Britain women’s athletics team between 1989-92 and was the overall supremo of the GB squad for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart. She was honoured with an OBE in 1965 for services to athletics.

Personal Bests: 800 – 2:01.2 (1973); 1500 – 4:10.66 (1974).