Harry Fenion

from Lochwinnoch

Distance, Marathon & Cross Country Runner

I discovered these newspaper cuttings in an old wallet belonging to my late father, Pat Smith Snr.

Harry was a cabinet maker and only 5ft 2ins tall. He was Scotland youth cross-country champion in 1948. In the poignant newspaper clipping below about placing his victory wreath on his dad's grave the year was 1957 and Harry was 26 years old. His Dad had died three years earlier. Harry had won the Scottish AAA marathon in a time of 2hrs 25min 44 secs.

Lets put his achievement in perspective, today the world record is 2hrs 0mins 35secs. BUT in 1947 it was 2hrs 25min 39sec - just 5secs faster than Harry. In 1954 the world record was held by Jim Peters at 2hrs 17mins 39secs. Jim Peters broke the World Record 4 times in the early 50's. He is remembered in the 1954 Vancouver Commonwealth Games marathon entering the stadium 17mins ahead of his nearest rival and then began to stumble and staggered on for 200yards in 11mins before finally collapsing and failing to finish. He never raced again. Joe McGee of Glasgow and a contemporary of Harry won that race in 2hrs 39mins 36sec - 13mins 52sec SLOWER than Harry's race time.

Lochwinnoch had a world class athlete in Wee Harry Fenion.

Gilbert Fenion, Charlie Cleland, Anna Smith, Colin Smith, Harry Fenion, Tom Smith, Annie Cleland, Barry Ritchie