Chris Carter

Chris Carter started running while at Steyning Grammar School, West Sussex and went on to spend most of his career with Brighton & Hove Athletic Club. A cross-country and middle-distance runner, Carter won his first significant title in 1959 when he won the Sussex youths 880 yards, before winning bronze at the English Schools’ Championships.

After leaving school, Carter applied to join the Royal Air Force flight crew but was rejected, so he joined the Brighton police instead in 1961, and in 30 years service rose to the rank of inspector. Carter won his first police title in 1963 and was still winning them, at home and abroad, ten years later. Carter made his international début in 1963 and, following successful runs against Poland and France in 1964, was called up for the 800 metres at the Tokyo Olympics but was eliminated in his semi-final heat.

Carter was second in the 1965 and 1966 AAA 880 yards to Tom Farrell (USA) and Noel Carroll (Ireland), but being the leading UK runner was the champion on both occasions. Carter was also fourth in 1964 and was again the highest placed UK runner. He therefore had the distinction of being AAA champion three years in succession without winning a race!

Carter competed at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games at Kingston, Jamaica, finishing fifth in the 880 yards. At that year´s European Championships in Budapest he led into the final straight but was pipped into fourth place, with a British 800 metres record 1:46.3. Also in 1966, along with Graeme Grant, Mike Varah, and John Boulter, Carter set a world 4x880 yards record of 7:14.6. A second Olympic appearance followed in 1968, but Carter was eliminated in his first-round heat.

After ending his competitive career, Carter became a coach and later athletics administrator with the Southern Counties AAA, and the management board of the AAA. He was also the chairman of his old club; Brighton & Hove AC. Carter was also one of the England selectors for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. After nearly 70 years in athletics, Carter severed all association with the sport in 2017 following illness to both himself and his wife. The annual Brighton and Hove AC Boxing Day Races, which started in the 1930s, were renamed “The Chris Carter Boxing Day Races” in his honour in 2023. It was a race that Carter first entered in 1958.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:46.3 (1966).