Brian Kilby

Brian Kilby took up cross-country running at school in Coventry and was the local Under-15 champion. After leaving school he became a draughtsman and continued his running with the Coventry Godiva Harriers. He turned his attention to marathon running and in 1960 won the first of five consecutive AAA titles. Only Donald Robertson has won more AAA titles than Kilby, with six between 1932-47. Kilby went to the Roma Olympics and finished 29th in a race won by the legendary Abebe Bikili, in a world best 2-15:16.2.

Kilby won both marathon titles at the Beograd (Belgrade) European Championships and Perth (Australia) British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1962. Two years later at the Tokyo Olympics he narrowly missed out on a medal after finishing fourth while team-mate Basil Heatley won silver behind Bikila, who won in another world best time of 2-12:11.2. In 1967 Kilby was appointed manager of the new Leicester Sports Centre in Saffron Lane, where he also undertook coaching duties.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-14:43 (1963).