Life on the Run (15 page)
Authors: Stan Eldon
Tags: #Running, #long distance, #cross-country, #athletics, #international races, #police, #constable, #half marathon, #Disability Sport, #autobiography, #memoirs, #biography, #life story
I do not think there was much artificial help for athletes in the 1960s; little was known about supplements and I know that there were only two substances that I ever used. One was glucose tablets, and the other was Redoxin vitamin C tablets that a researcher into the common cold advised me to take to avoid picking up colds after races. It is sad that some forty years later, the use of drugs has become almost commonplace, and athletes are always looking for that extra bit of help to reach the top, without perhaps training that little extra which might give them the edge.
More mud at Inter Counties Cross-Country with Tulloh in pursuit
The white police gloves come in handy, chasing Basil Heatley at Brighton
In full flow with Mimoun chasing during the big race at Cardiff
The sprint finish gives me victory over the great Mimoun
The Royal Borough's appreciation of my early athletic career
A few of the headlines and cartoons that followed every race - win or lose
Generous support from Daily Mirror's Peter Wilson
A selection of the many cartoons that were based on the ârunning policeman' or âgalloping cop'
The introduction of the first road running shoes to the UK, Kitami and Onitsuka meet Eldon close to the start of the Windsor to Chiswick Marathon
Eldon and son leave Reading Evening Post on Variety Club Charity Run to London in 1972
Halfway with a âbacking group'
Welcomed at the finish by the late Eric Morley (Miss World) and Jimmy Hill
Brian Bacon, Reading AC, helping another disabled youngster to enjoy the Reading Half Marathon