George Bailey

George Bailey won the AAA steeplechase in 1930 and 1935 and the 10 miles in 1933 when he was at first credited with a new UK record (50:51.0) before the course was found to be short. He was Empire Games steeplechase champion in 1930 and set UK steeplechase records over both the Imperial and metric distances. At the 1932 Olympics he was unlucky not to win the silver medal, as he was in second place at 3,000 m, but an official’s error forced the runner to cover an extra lap. In the 1934 British Empire Games 2 miles steeplechase he won the bronze medal. Bailey also had a fine record as a cross-country runner, representing England five times in the International Championships between 1930 and 1937, with a best of 5th 1932-33), and made an impressive marathon début when he finished second in the Daily Despatch race. Originally a manual worker in a Buxton quarry, he later took a job which had been specially found for him in Manchester, but the arrangement was not acceptable to the authorities and Bailey was suspended for a short period for violating amateur rules.

Personal Bests: 2 miles – 9:27.8 (1932); 5000 – 15:36.8 (1933); 6 miles – 30:08.3+ (1933); Mar – 2-40:14.0 (1936); 3000S – 9:16.0 (1932).