John Lee

John Lee started his athletics career with the West Hartlepool Harriers and as a 15-year-old in 1896 was the second ever winner of the Burn Road club’s Championship for the Ward-Jackson Challenge Cup. He retained the trophy the following year. He also won the North Yorkshire and South Durham Championship two years in succession. A middle-distance runner, Lee also competed in cross country, and in 1903 finished third in the North-Eastern Cross Country Championship at Stockton racecourse. He was by then a member of the Heaton Harriers club.

It was during his time at Heaton that Lee enjoyed the most successful period of his career. He finished third in the AAAs one mile in both 1906 and 1907, when George Butterfield won on each occasion at Stamford Bridge and Fallowfield respectively. Lee was fourth in 1908 when he was selected for both the 800 and 1500 metres at the London Olympics but was eliminated in his opening heat in each race. When he finished third in the 1906 AAAs, he became the first Heaton Harrier to podium at the national championships.

Personal Bests: 800 – unknown; 1500 – unknown; Mile – 4:19.4 (1906).