Alfred Shrubb
Alfred " Alfie " Shrubb ( born December 12, 1879 in Slinfold, Sussex / Great Britain, the fifth child of William and Harriet Shrubb, † April 23, 1964 in Bowmanville, Canada ) was a British athlete who was successful at the beginning of the 20th century.
His nickname " The Little Wonder " (Eng. " the little miracle " ) referred to both its graceful shape (1.68 m tall, 63 kg in weight ) as well as the fact that he as a runner over the medium and long- haul of the 1800 race, which he denied 1899-1912, about 1000 won while aufstellte no less than 28 world records. He was the first athlete who bore the title " International Master " and the first paid coach of the University of Oxford.
Shrubb was a runner with a passion. Is Reported that he himself did on his wedding right after the wedding to London, there to contest a race.
Career
Alfred Shrubbs runs talent was discovered when he wanted to help in a house fire and the crash site three miles distant reached rather than the horses that pulled the fire engine. He had two careers: from 1899-1905 as an amateur and as a professional from 1906-1912. His amateur career ended when he was locked for life, because he had accepted money from sponsors.
The most remarkable year in his time as an amateur was the year 1904. Firstly, he had the bad luck that the British Athletics Federation renounced to send a team to the Olympics in 1904 in St. Louis, and failed to win in this way Olympic glory. On the other hand he placed on the same seven world records in a single day this year.
You wrote the November 5, when at Ibrox Park in Glasgow, Scotland gathered thirteen runners to a race over 10 miles. Shrubb was a week before arrived to prepare for the big event. About the 10 -mile stretch he had recorded a best time of 51:30,4 minutes he had to increase by 25 seconds to take possession of the world record. When he covered the first four miles in 19:50,6 minutes ( the only five months in advance of this route set up by his own world record stood at 19:23,4 minutes), no one believed that he would be able to hold this pace. However, the 24 - year-old showed no signs of fatigue and remained with 29:59,4 minutes over six miles not just 18 seconds under the previous world record, but at the same time as the first man of the earth under 30 minutes. The following seven, eight and nine miles stopped intermediate times meant each new world record. But it got even better. When, after ten miles of the fifth world record had fallen, Shrubb unceremoniously decided to continue the race and attack the existing world record for hours of running. Accompanied by bagpipes sounds and the frenetic cheers of the spectators, who filled the ranks despite the bad weather, he initially improved the world record over eleven miles and still attached to another 1137 yards before the clock stopped at 60 minutes. At this moment, the 20 year old record set by Walter George ( 18 555 m) story had become. The new record of Alfred Shrubb stood at 18 at 742 m ( She was only 9 years later by Jean Bouin screwed to 19 021 m).
Alfred Shrubb was several miles distances ( one, four and ten Miles) ten times British champion. However, his real love was the cross-country running. In this discipline he won several ( eight ) national and regional British Championships and was also twice in a row in which has been held since 1903 Cross of Nations victorious.
As a professional, he was able to continue seamlessly his previous successes. In February 1906, he improved to Halle race in London three times the world record over three miles ( 14:27 min, 14:23,4 min and 14:19 min.) Then his career took him to North America, where it caused a run - boom. Also in Australia and New Zealand, he went to the start and became the first international sports star, where it particularly made his race against squadrons and against famous horses. In his experiments over distances of more than 10 miles in length, however, he was the legendary Indian Tom Longboat inferior, against whom he took a total of ten times.
Professionally made a name Alfred Shrubb primarily as a coach. From 1908 to 1911 he worked at Harvard University in Boston, and from 1919 to 1928 at the University of Oxford. Supervised by him athletes started at the 1920 Olympic Games, in 1924 and 1928. Among his greatest successes were the rule laid down in the Penn Relays world record in the 4x880 yards and the Olympic victory of Bevil Rudd.
In addition, Shrubb authored two highly acclaimed books on training theory:
- Running and Cross Country Running. (. Health and Strength Ltd ) London 1908
- Long - Distance Running. Toronto ( Imperial News Company) 1909
Alfred Shrubb moved in 1928 finally move to Canada. He was married to Ada Brown. The marriage produced three children: son Roy and daughters Nancy and Norah.
He is still remembered today: In Bowmanville of " Alfie Shrubb 8k Classic" is annually held. At the first event in 2003 was his very elderly (89 years old) daughter Norah Allin officially launch.
Title
British Championships
- 4 miles in 20:01,4 min and
- 10 miles in 52:25,6 min at Stamford Bridge
- English National Cross Championships and
- Southern Cross Championships at Lingfield Park
Cross of Nations