Arthur Farrimond

In 1910, when he was 17, Arthur Farrimond won his first race, at Westhoughton (Bolton). He joined Leigh Harriers the following year, and in 1914 finished third at the Junior East Lancashire Cross-Country Championships. A salesman for a wine and spirit company when World War I broke out, Farrimond enlisted into the 9th Royal Scots Guards. He served in France, and was twice wounded in action, in the knee and stomach. He resumed his athletics training after the War, but could not get fit enough in time for the 1920 Olympics, but soon gained a reputation for being a good distance runner, and was second to Ernest Leatherland in both the 1923 and 1924 Sporting Chronicle Manchester Marathons, results which gained him selection for the 1924 Olympic Marathon. He was the second Britain home in 17th place (out of 58 starters) but had to finish the last few miles with a twisted ankle after a civilian insisted on running alongside him.

Farrimond later worked as an electrician with the Wigan Coal and Iron Company, and in later life ran a newspaper shop in Westhoughton. He continued running with the Leigh Harriers well into his 60s.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-52:19.6 (1924).