Allan Rushmer

British track and field athlete Allan Rushmer competed during the 1960s and 1970s, specialising in distance running. Rushmer joined Oldbury AC when he was 16-years-old before eventually joining Tipton Harriers in 1965. It was here that he first began to break into the national team whilst he was working as an upholsterer. The following year he made his début for Great Britain at a meet against the Soviet Union at the White City Stadium. A few months later Rushmer won bronze in the 3 miles at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica. On his return to Europe he came fifth in the 10,000 metres at the European Athletics Championships in Budapest, equalling the British record at the time.

In 1968 Rushmer earned himself a place on the Olympic team for the Mexico City Games, where he ran in the 5,000 metres but was eliminated in the heats. In 1970 he just missed out on a medal at the British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, finishing fourth in the 5,000 metres. He was all set to compete at the 1972 München Olympics but was forced to miss the Games due to bronchial asthma. The illness marked the end of Rushmer’s senior career, although he would later become the European veterans champion in the 10,000 metres.

Personal Best: 5000 – 13:29.8 (1970).