John Edgington

While John Edgington was the 1955 AAA Junior 1 mile track walk champion and the 1956 Road Walking Association (RWA) under-21 champion over 5-miles, it was unfortunate for him that his senior career would coincide with those of Olympic gold medal walkers Don Thompson and fellow Midlander Ken Matthews. Edgington joined the Coventry Godiva Harriers in his early teens and was winning local events before his 16th birthday. After stepping up to senior level, Edgington had to put his athletics career on hold as he was stationed abroad with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during his two years National Service. He soon picked up where he left off and won the Midlands 20-mile title in 1960. The following year Edgington was second to Thompson in the National 20-mile Road Walking Championship at Chiswick.

Edginton went to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and finished eighth in the 20km walk with a personal best 1-32:46. The race was won by fellow countryman Matthews. Two of Edgington´s Coventry Godiva clubmates at the Games were marathon runners Basil Heatley and Brian Kilby, who finished second and fourth respectively. By profession, Edgington was a draughtsman at the famous Coventry Climax company.

Personal Best: 20kmW – 1-32:46 (1964).