Shaun Lightman

At school Shaun Lightman was a miler and cross-country runner, but when he was 15 took up race walking and won the 1959 one mile walk at the Southern Counties Youths’ Championship. He went on to win the AAA junior one mile walk in a championship record time in 1962.He had a good mentor because he used to train with Don Thompson. After going to St David’s College Lampeter (now the University of Wales, Lampeter) to study Divinity, Lightman took up long-distance walking. He finished ninth in the 50km at the 1967 World Race Walking Cup (Lugano Cup)

Lightman later joined the Metropolitan Walking Club and in 1967 won the Race Walking Association (RWA) 50 km title, and was second to Ron Wallwork in the 10km. The following year Lightman was second to Paul Nihill in the AAA seven miles and was third in both the RWA 35- and 50km. At the Mexico Olympics Lightman was 18th (out of 36 starters) in the 50km.

Lightman won just the one senior AAA or RWA title but enjoyed a total of 11 other podium finishes between 1968-73. He also won many Surrey County titles and in 1975 was the Inter-Counties champion at both 3,000 metres and 10,000 metres. After finishing 16th in the 50km at the 1973 Lugano Cup Lightman ended his international career but continued running nationally and in 1978 won the prestigious London to Brighton Open walk. He eventually retired from competitive walking in 1979.

Lightman taught physical education and religious education at Winton House School and the Royal Russell School (both in Croydon) before retiring. Lightman competed in seniors’ events beyond his 70th birthday and in 1998 walked the London Marathon in 4hrs 46 minutes. He became chaplain at Southwark Cathedral and was one of 12 chaplains in attendance at the 2012 London Olympics.

Personal Best: 50kmW – 4-15:14 (1973).