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Personal information | |
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Nationality | British |
Born | Kendal, Cumbria, England | 24 February 1884
Died | 21 January 1959 | (aged 74)
Sport | |
Sport | Long-distance running |
Event | Marathon |
Alexander Duncan (24 February 1884 – 21 January 1959) was a British long-distance runner. He was considered among the fastest long distance runners of the world. [1]
Duncan belonged to the Kendal Welcome Harrier Club. [1] Duncan won the English Open Mile in 1902 and came third in the English Half-Mile. He won the Salford Harrier's sports and Preston Guild mile as well in 1902. [2] In 1903, he won the Mile at New Brighton and the Two Miles Handicap at Stanley Park in Liverpool. He then picked up more victories in Barrow, Dalton-in-Furness, Darlington, Jendal, Glassgow and Leeds. Duncan won the British Northern Counties 4 miles race in 1906. [3] In 1907, Duncan won the Northern Counties 4 miles again and won the 1997 AAA 4 Miles. [4] [3] Duncan also came in second place in the 1907 AAA 10 miles race. [3] In 1908, he won the AAA 10 miles race [4] and then won the 22.5 mile English Marathon Olympic Trial. [4] [3] Duncan competed in the men's marathon at the 1908 Summer Olympics [5] but did not finish along with seven of his teammates. [3]
Duncan was scheduled to race in the US and Canada in 1909 as part of a tour with Fred Appleby. [6] [7] [1] He joined the Kendal Police Force in 1910 and his police duties effectively retired him from the track. [2] He later became a Vice-President of the North Staffordshire Harriers. [2]
Duncan was also said to be skilled at gardening and produced "admired" floral displays". [2] Duncan was married and passed away on January 21, 1959. [3] [2] [8]