John Paddick

A student at the Royal Sutton Coldfield school, John Paddick was the Public Schools Road Walking champion before winning the first of two successive Road Walking Association (RWA) junior 5-mile titles in 1961. Along with the eventual gold medallist Ken Matthews, and John Edgington (8th), Paddick made up the three-man British team in the 20km walk at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and finished 10th. At the RWA Championship over 35 miles the following year, Paddick came third behind Paul Nihill and Ray Middleton.

Paddick was forced to retire from serious race walking in 1969 following a knee injury received after an accident with a hockey ball. He turned to marathon running and later went back to road walking. He enjoyed a very successful career as a veteran and was still competing into his mid-70s. Paddick won the Blackpool 50-mile race for a record-equalling fifth time in 2005. He was aged 61 at the time. By profession Paddick was a mathematics and physical education teacher before retiring and living in Redcar, North Yorkshire.

Personal Best: 20kmW – 1-33:28 (1964).