Alan Lerwill

British track and field athlete Alan Lerwill competed in jumping events, specialising in the long jump. In 1968 Lerwill competed in the long jump at the Mexico City Olympics, finishing 19th with a best effort of 7.62 metres. After the Olympics he finished second at the 1969 AAA Championships, before becoming the British champion one year later. He was then selected to represent England at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, where he won bronze. Lerwill also competed in the triple jump at the Games, finishing 10th in the final.

Lerwill continued to dominate in the long jump at the AAA Championships, winning back-to-back titles in 1971 and 1972, once again earning himself a place on the British Olympic team. At the 1972 München Olympics he reached the final, jumping 7.91 metres to finish seventh. One year later Lerwill moved away from the sandpit to the high jump, setting a British record with a clearance of 2.10 metres.

In 1974 Lerwill won another AAA long jump title before going on to win gold at the British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand. As per his previous appearance at the Games, he also finished 10th in the triple jump. He finished his career with his fifth and final AAA long jump title in 1975. Lerwill was also a long-standing physical education teacher, working at the Felsted School in Essex from 1976 to 1996.

Personal Best: LJ – 7.98 (1974).