Celebrating a very decent run
A 37-YEAR commentating career came to an end this weekend, as Great North Run founder Brendan Foster hung up his mic.
The Hebburn-born athlete, who ran for the Gateshead Harriers, found fame competing in three Olympic Games, and netting a gold medal in the 10,000m race at the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
Retiring from track events in 1980, he immediately took up commentating and became a leading voice in national athletics.
He has worked for BBC Sport on nine summer Olympic Games, every Commonwealth Games since 1982 and every World Athletics Championship since the event’s debut back in 1983. Fellow long distance runner Paula Radcliffe now has big running shoes to fill, taking over from him in the commentary booth. But perhaps his most famous legacy is Tyneside’s own Great North Run, founded by Foster back in 1981. He was inspired by taking part in the Round the Bays Race in New Zealand in 1979, and decided to bring a version home to the North East with him. Initially advertised as a local fun run, it’s become one of the world’s biggest running events, with everyone from world-class athletes to local charity fundraisers taking part. As the run grew and grew, Tyneside has honoured the man who brought it its famous race. In 2016, he was handed Newcastle’s highest honour – Freedom of the City – by Newcastle City Council and, in 2013, he was named a Freeman of Gateshead. He’s also received national recognition, and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire 2008. To mark his retirement this month, the International Association of Athletics
Federations presented him with its highest award, the Golden Order of Merit, in recognition of his work towards the advancement of athletics.
Foster, now 69, is set to continue his work with the Great Run company, who have now expanded, organising mass-participation races up and down the country.