William Craner

Although a finalist in the AAA 440y in 1928, William Craner was somewhat fortunate to have been chosen ahead of Lord Burghley for the 4x400m relay at the Olympics later in the summer. Craner’s time of 50.8 on the second leg of the Olympic race was at least two seconds slower than could have been expected of Burghley. Had Burghley been included, the British team would have been made up exclusively of Achilles Club members and evidently this was not a situation which appealed to the selectors. After qualifying as a doctor at London Hospital, Craner practiced in Brentwood for many years and served as President of the Essex AAA in 1963.

Personal Best: 440y – 50.0 (1928).