Mike Farrell

Mike Farrell came from a sporting background. His father was a rower and also played rugby union for Hull, and the East Riding of Yorkshire, while his mother won county hockey honours with Lincolnshire. Farrell was educated at Beverley grammar school and showed promise as a runner. After moving to the Midlands in 1947 he joined Birchfield Harriers and remained a life-long member of the Birmingham club.

In 1956 Farrell was second to Birchfield team-mate Mike Rawson in the 880 yards at the AAA Championship. That performance gained both men, and Derek Johnson, selection for the 800 metres at the Melbourne Olympics later that year. Farrell and Johnson both reached the final, with Johnson taking silver and Farrell finishing fifth.

Farrell finished sixth in the 880 yards at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. He injured his back at the Games and, although he continued running, he turned his attention to the administrative side of the sport and became secretary the Midland Counties Athletic Association. He was then appointed general secretary of the Amateur Athletic Association and was the first general secretary of the British Athletics Federation (now British Athletics).

Personal Best: 800 – 1:48.5 (1957).