Bob Hughes

Having won the 1964 Race Walking Association (RWA) Under-17 three miles title, Bob Hughes then won the five miles junior title in 1966 and held the world junior one mile walking record. He never won a senior RWA title, but was third behind Paul Nihill and John Webb in the ten miles in 1969.

Hughes also failed to win a senior AAA title but did enjoy three podium finishes. He was third in 1967 in both the two miles, behind Ron Wallwork (the Commonwealth Games 20 miles champion) and Arthur Jones, and the seven miles behind Malcolm Tolley and John Webb. Hughes was then runner-up to Jones in the 1968 two miles. Hughes went to the 1968 Olympics after winning the 20km qualification race. In Mexico he finished 24th out of 34 starters.

Hughes was a member of Smethwick Harriers before joining the Royal Sutton Coldfield Walking Club. He was a Staffordshire, and Midlands, champion, and won the Inter-Counties two-mile (1968) and the 3,000 metres (1969-71) titles. After his hometown of Smethwick was moved from Staffordshire to Worcestershire following a government boundary change on 1 April 1966, Hughes advised the Staffordshire AAA that he would run for his “new” county and went on to win Worcestershire honours. Hughes was a turbine fitter by profession.

Personal Best: 20kmW – 1-33:08 (1968).