• Athletics

Former 5,000m world record holder Chataway dies

ESPN staff
January 19, 2014
Sir Chris Chataway will be remembered for his running but also enjoyed a distinguished career in broadcasting and politics © PA Photos
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Former British athlete Sir Chris Chataway has died aged 82.

Chataway broke the 5,000 metres record in 1954 before being named the first-ever BBC Sports Personality in the same year.

He was the man who helped pace Sir Roger Bannister in breaking the four-minute mile mark in 1954, the same year in which Chataway also gained the Commonwealth Games three miles crown.

Chataway enjoyed a distinguished career in both broadcasting and politics before he was knighted in 1995 for services to the aviation industry.

"We were struck by his amazing qualities of humility and strength, especially in these last few years," Chataway's son Mark said.

"He ran with a couple of my brothers in the Great North Run about three years ago, doing it in a very respectable time."

Bannister paid tribute to Chataway, indicating his friend of over 50 years would be sorely missed.

"He was gallant to the end," Bannister told BBC Sport. "Our friendship dated back over more than half a century.

"We laughed, ran and commiserated together. People will always remember him for the great runner he was but it shouldn't be forgotten that he had an extremely distinguished career off the track.

"My family and I will miss him sorely and our thoughts go out to his family and many friends who were so fond of him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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