Roy Cromack

Cyclist Roy Cromack took part in just one 24-hour race in his career - and set a British record that stood for 28 years. In 1969, while attempting to win the British 24-hour time trial, Cromack not only won the title, but in doing so became the first Briton to cover 500 miles in 24 hours, and his winning distance of 507 miles (816 km) remained a record until surpassed by Andy Wilkinson in 1997. Cromack made an unsuccessful attempt on the Land’s End to John o`Groats record in 1974.

Cromack started racing while studying science at Sheffield University, and in 1958 won both the British Universities´ 50-mile time trial and hill climbing titles. After a brief career teaching at Tadcaster Grammar School, Cromack joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1969 and reached the rank of squadron leader.

During his 15-year cycling career Cromack won the 1964 national 10-mile track title at Herne Hill and was a member of the Solihull CC quartet that won the national team pursuit title in both 1965 and 1966. Prior to his famous 24-hour victory in 1969, Cromack had captured the national 12-hour title in 1967, the year before going to the Mexico Olympics with the British 100 km team time trial squad. They finished 11th. Because of his versatility, Cromack regularly featured amongst the top three in the annual list of British all-round cyclists. He retired from serious cycling in 1976.