Books
Hugh Shields
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Hugh Shields is a Thames member and familiar face on the Scottish indoor veterans' athletics scene.
This is the story of two of the world's greatest ever milers, Seb Coe and Steve Ovett. Before the Moscow Olympics, Coe and Ovett had barely raced each other. They had, however, established impressive race credentials and traded world records. So when the Olympics came round, it was showdown time. There is still no athletics clash which in living memory has come close to the Olympic duels of Coe and Ovett in Moscow. The combination of record-breaking runs and media hype generated huge public interest. And when, just weeks before the Olympics started, Ovett first broke and then equalled two of Coe's world records, the stage was set for the most titanic of Olympic duels. The Coe-Ovett showdown in Moscow was, and still is, sporting theatre of the highest order. |
Simon Molden
The Oxford and Cambridge Universities' Cross-Country Race is one of the oldest inter-club matches still in existence and dates back to the origins of organised sport in Britain. Hares, Hounds and Blues documents the history of this unique contest from its very humble and somewhat chaotic beginnings in the late-1870s, through the golden eras of the early twentieth century and immediately after the Second World War, to the current day where the event retains a privileged position as one of only 14 Full Blue sports at the universities.
It is far more than just a race between two university clubs; over its 125-year history, it has carried with it many stories of personal and collective achievement. It has acted as a breeding ground for a series world-class athletes and a stage for numerous talented university men and women to reach their own personal Everest. This book tells that story.
The book contains 406 pages, including full results of every Blues' Race since 1880 and summary details of all IInd-Vths races since the first Tortoises-Spartans match in 1937.
Copies are available from Simon Molden and cost as follows:
| Hardback | £25.00 |
| Paperback | £13.50 |
| PDF version on CD | £5.00 |
All prices include postage and packing. If you would like a copy please email Simon at simon@scmolden.co.uk.
William Cockerell
While better known on the local running scene as captain of rivals Belgrave Harriers, Will Cockerell is also a second claim member of Thames.
His recently published book has itself been a marathon in the making, its non-appearance before each London marathon becoming something of a joke. However, now that it has finally hit the shelves it has been worth the wait.
Written in a style that is very much Will's own, the book is a highly informative, entertaining and well researched journey through
the history of the classic distance. Drawing on diverse historical records and his own interviews with many major players
it is the story not only of the great races but of the characters that shaped them.
A review from David Powell of the Times can be found here.
The book can be purchased directly from the author at willcockerell@yahoo.co.uk and he is offering a generous 20% discount to Thames members.
John Bryant
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John Bryant is a former captain and long standing stalward of Thames. While continuing his distinguished Fleet Street career (he is currently editing the Telegraph) he has added a sideline as a sports historian and author. His book on the four-minute mile draws on the long history of the challenge before making use of the author's own friendships with the homegrown protagonists. Bannister and Chataway are Thames members, with the later a born again regular competitor in the saltire, as was the much-missed Chris Brasher. His authorised history of the London Marathon traces the roots of the event and fully explores the greatest race of them all. |
Chris Moon
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At the start of the 1999 Thames vs Ranelagh Mob Match, as the runners were called to the start, one man was heard to complain that he "hadn't put his leg on yet". No this wasn't a quirky expression handed down through Thames tradition, but the reality for member Chris Moon who lost his lower right leg during a 1995 mine clearing operation in Mozamique. As well as the mob match he has completed other notable events, such as numerous marathons and the Saharan epic Marathon des Sables. One Step Beyond is his remarkable story. |