A finalist in the AAA 440 y in 1922, Dick Ripley placed fourth in 1925 and was the winner of the English AAA title that year. Also in 1925, he won the 400 metres at the international between England and France at Brighton and the 440 yards in the triangular match between Ireland, Scotland and England at Dublin, helped largely through the absence of Scotland’s Olympic champion Eric Liddell. At the Northern Championships he won the 440 y title a record seven times (1922-28). He joined Darlington Harriers in 1928, and in the 1930s joined West Hartlepool’s Burn Road Harriers where he later coached local athletes and became a timekeeper. In his 29-year career, Ripley won 27 titles before serving in the Merchant Navy and fire brigade. He planned on competing in the 1928 Olympics until a ligament injury ended his international career. His younger brother George was also a runner with Burn Road.
Personal Best: 400 – 49.8 (1925).
Great Britain