The life and times of Tipton Harriers
For more than 100 years, the name of Tipton Harriers has been known across the country for boasting some of the Black Country's finest athletes.
For more than 100 years, the name of Tipton Harriers has been known across the country for boasting some of the Black Country's finest athletes.
World record breakers, Olympians, and renowned national champions have all slipped into a green and white hooped vest in the hunt of medals.
Now, after more than a century of golden moments, members of Tipton Harriers AC have been in reflective mood to celebrate the landmark milestone in its history.
Instead of running gear, it was sharp suits and glamorous ballgowns for past, present and future members of the famous club and their families as they toasted its success at a ball at the Copthorne Hotel, in Brierley Hill.
Both individual and team success on track, road and cross-country has characterised the club's existence since it was established on September 24, 1910, when it broke away from Birmingham-based Birchfield Harriers.
Its club-house for many years was on land off Waterloo Street with the Harriers involved with the Tipton Summer Sports event in Victoria Park to encourage children to take up the sport.
In the mid-1930s, the Harriers president 'Inie' Palethorpe paid for land in Sedgley Road East and brought a large wooden building for the club's new home.
By 1938, the Harriers had created its own jumps and field events section and Jack Holden had won three international cross country titles.
Holden was already one of the club's household names after setting a world record for a 30 miles track run in 1946 and competed at the 1948 London Olympics in the Marathon.
More success was to follow when Holden won the Empire Games Marathon in New Zealand, following up with the European title in Brussels in 1950, aged 43.
A ladies section was added in 1954 to the club but a decade later a move was on the cards again.
A consortium with the Harriers, Tipton Town FC and Tipton Town cricket club identified a 19-acre plot for a new ground off Gospel End Road.
Costing £80,000 and boasting the Harriers' first 440 yards cinder track, the Tipton Sports Union Trust ground was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh on June 4, 1971.
Tony Milosorov has been at a member with the Harriers for almost four decades and is still known as one of the country's finest marathon runners and still holds the 14th best time for British runner, after finishing sixth in the 1989 London Marathon.
During his prolific athletic career, Tony amassed around 60 national medals during the 1980s and 1990s.
The 52-year-old reckons the club's togetherness had been the driving force behind its popularity and success.
He said: "The strength of Tipton is that even in a sport which is seen to be all about the individual, this is very much a club with a strong team ethic and that's why it's been so successful."
Following concerns about subsidence and mine shafts opening on the track which forced matches to be played elsewhere, the Harriers began talks with Sandwell Council about a possible new site.
Thanks to around £3million of National Lottery cash, Tipton Sports Academy was created in 1998 with a host of sports facilities including tennis courts.
Club President Ron Bentley, aged 80, once held the 24-hour world record when he completed 161 miles and 545 yards in a single event in 1973.
He said: "It is the greatest club in England if you ask me and it's been fantastic to be able to bring everyone together."
Former opponent and former world 5,000m record holder David Moorcroft gave a rousing after dinner speech for the Tiptonians centenary function.
He said: "The club has such a wonderful history with so many top class runners."
By Andrew Turton
