Page 40 - BBHAC Winter 2015-16 Gazette
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Tony Weeks-Pearson
1932-2016
Past President Tony Weeks- where he won the silver medal Blackheath’s Johnny Withers was
Pearson’s long and eventful life in the 5000m with an excellent 8 minutes behind Tony in the
came to an end in March 2016 14.49. He was also a UK record Poly Marathon and he, about 7
at the age of 84. He had been holder for 3000m indoors, weeks later, ran 2.31.08, an 18
in poor health for some time, won several mob matches minutes improvement on his
suffered with dementia and had and county titles and was a Poly run, and this was still the
almost totally lost his sight. consistently good performer at Club record when Tony missed it
Tony’s long association with the the highest level. by just 15 seconds 10 years later
club dates back to 1949 when He was twice 11th in the in 1967.
he was elected to membership National Cross Country He did the questionnaire in
on 4 April that year. His Championships in 1955 and Athletics Weekly in 1958 and
application was in the name 1958 and also 11th in the one question was: “which
of Anthony James Pearson Southern in 1956. He was twice performance gave you most
of Hastings, Sussex and as an joint winner of the Varsity personal satisfaction and
under 19, he paid 10/6 for a Cross Country race, the first why”. His reply was: “the 2nd
year’s subscriptions. He had time with Chris Chataway in handicap spoon in the mob
been proposed for membership 1952, and was Cross Country match against SLH, I always
by Sydney Wooderson, who Captain at Oxford. thought this impossible under
also became his Coach, and He never won the Kent Senior handicapper George Brooks”.
seconded by Sydney’s brother Cross Country title but was Anyone thinking today that they
Stanley. He remained close an individual medalist 5 times have been hard done by Club
to the Wooderson family and and four times in successive handicapper, Chris Haines, it
spoke so eloquently at Sydney’s years was either 2nd or 3rd. was ever thus!
funeral in January 2007 and He did win Kent 20 and Alan Brent made him a Vice
again at the Memorial Service Kent Marathon titles. Other President in 1967 and the late
held the following September. achievements included being Don Gillate chose him as his
In his prime he was a top class Army 1 mile Champion and successor, as Club President in
athlete, who represented Britain junior champion in the Sussex 1990. In his message to the club
in the World Festival of Youth 1 mile and Kent Cross-Country in the Summer 1990 Gazette
and Students (now called the titles. In 1960 he won the Club he stressed the importance of
World Student Games) of 1953, 10 mile championship with a progress for new heights of
time of 54.59. achievement by the club. He
In time he moved on to the outlined his aims and objectives
Marathon and in the 1957 for Blackheath Harriers during
Poly Marathon he would have his term in office, which
broken Charlie Busby’s existing included social evenings for
Club record of 2.34.06, but parents, a series of informal club
on a blistering hot June day coaching/training forums and
he came 5th in 2.41 some 4 a club coaching/advice Register
minutes behind the winner. which would “list some of the
This winning time was some dozens of experienced athletes
15 minutes slower than usual. who could be approached for
He ran his fastest marathon consultation and help”.
in 1967, 2.31.23, missing the He urged members and friends
Club record by just 15 seconds. to attend Young Athletes
