David Moorcroft
David Moorcroft | |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 April 1953 |
| Known for | World records in middle and long distance running, Chief Executive of UK Athletics. |
| Spouse | Linda |
| Children | 2 |
David Moorcroft (born April 10 1953) was an English 1500 m and 5000 m runner whose career spanned the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was also Chief Executive of UK Athletics from 1997 to 2006. He was awarded an OBE in 1998 for services to athletics. Moorcroft is still the UK record holder for 3000 m and 5000 m.
Early life
Moorcroft was born in Coventry, West Midlands and he has an elder sister. He was a pupil at Woodlands Comprehensive School. He studied Physical Education and Sport Science at Loughborough University. He was a member of the Coventry Godiva Harriers athletics club.
Running
Moorcroft won gold in the 1500 meters in the 1978 Commonwealth Games. Moorcroft had a remarkable season in 1982, where he broke the 5000 m World Record by 5.79 s & demonstrated his lower end range by recording 1:46.64 for 800 m. It's been speculated that on the basis of these performances at widely different distances, that if he'd spent that season chasing fast times at other distances, with adequate rest before races & efficient pacemaking, he was capable that year of breaking the World Records for 1500 m, 1 Mile, 2000 m & 3000 m.[citation needed]
UK Athletics
However following Great Britain's worst performance at a European Athletics Championship for twenty years, Moorcroft announced on 24 August 2006 that he would step down from his position at UK Athletics, stating "I am convinced that I am taking the right decision at the right time." The results in Gothenburg (not one individual gold medal being obtained) were the latest in a string of disappointing medal hauls at major championships with the London 2012 Olympics looming large on the horizon. [1]
Other work
Moorcroft has now formed Point Four One sports Consultancy with Rob Borthwick (also formally of UK Athletics). The partnership was formed in late 2007 and already has clients which include Coca-cola, Loughborough University and UK Sport.
Moorcroft also undertakes a good deal of charity work and is currently Chairman of the Going for Gold Gala Committee; established to launch a new disabled sporting innitiative called 'Rebuilding Lives Through Sport' (RLTS). Established by the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), RLTS will fund and encourage participation in wheelchair sport nationawide.
Personal life
Moorcroft is married to fellow athlete Linda, who came fourth in her section at the Coventry Lady Godiva Half Marathon. The couple's son Paul married Valerie Saker in 2006; daughter Lucy married Peter Barbour in March 2008.
Achievements
- 1978
- 1st, 1500 m, Commonwealth Games (Edmonton, Alberta)
- 1982
- 1st, 5000 m, Commonwealth Games (Brisbane, Queensland)
- Set the world record for 5000 m in Oslo at the Bislett Games at 13:00.41 which was to stand until broken by Said Aouita.
- 1993
- Set the master's division (age 40+) world record for 1500 m, 3:46.7, a mark which still stands
External links
