Heather Goodman

Heather Goodman was born in 1935 in Birkenhead. After World War II her family relocated to Kendal in the Lake District. After leaving school, she attended a nearby open day to try out different sports, where she took up white-water slalom canoeing. In 1952, along with a couple of friends, she set up a local canoe club.

Goodman competed at many international events and became a 10-time British Canoe Champion. In 1970, she won a bronze medal at the World Championships in East Germany which helped her gain selection for the 1972 München Olympics.

After retiring from canoeing, Goodman took up fell running. At the age of 70, she won the gold medal at the International Mountain Runners World Championship in Cumbria. She also took part in four editions of the London Marathon.