Alan Dean

Middle-distance runner Alan Dean started serious running at the Michelin Athletics Club in Stoke-on-Trent when he was serving as an apprentice fitter with the company. Dean was the surprise winner of the Staffordshire 880 yards title in 1962, and the following year, despite finishing sixth, was the first British runner home in the AAA Championship 880 behind five other runners: two Irish, two Americans, and a South African. Also in 1963, Dean made his international début against Norway.

Dean was selected for the 800 metres at the Tokyo Olympics, but his time of 1:49.6 saw him eliminated in his first-round heat. His time was more than a second slower than his personal best, set in the International against Poland at the White City two months before the Games. Having joined the North Staffs and Stone Harriers, Dean became an established cross-country runner and in 1970, ten years after winning the Staffordshire junior title, was the senior champion.

Dean came out of a 10-year retirement at the age of 52 in 1994 to compete in a 10-mile race at Tittensor, near his native Stoke-on-Trent. After more than 40 years with the company, Dean was still working for Michelin in his late-50s and ran the five miles from his home to work every day.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:48.5 (1964).