Geoff Iden

Geoff Iden started running in London Federation of Boys Clubs’ competitions at the age of 16 and, in a career spanning 27 years, he won over 350 trophies. In his early days he was a middle-distance and cross-country runner with Victoria Park Harriers (VPH), and in 1946, when serving with the Eastern Command, Iden won the three miles title at the Army Athletic Championships.

Iden later became a marathon specialist, despite not running his first 20-mile race until the age of 35, a decision that he always regretted. He finished third behind winner Jim Peters in the 1952 AAA marathon and that same year finished ninth at the Helsinki Olympics in a race won by Emil Zátopek, and was the only one of the three British runners to finish as Peters and Stan Cox both pulled out.

Iden again lost to Peters when again finishing third at the 1953 AAA and in 1954 he finished sixth in the European Championships at Bern. The closest Iden came to a AAA title was in 1955 when he was runner-up to Bill McMinnis. The following year, Iden ran his best time of 2-25.51 in the Polytechnic Marathon. It was a VPH club record that stood for 52 years.

Iden was a tailor by profession, and in the 1970s was the publicity officer for Whitstable Town Football Club.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-25:51 (1956).