User:JFERG0001/sandbox

Andrew Thompson Ferguson (born 3 November 1928) is a former Scottish and British athlete who achieved success in cross country and marathon running. "Andy" Ferguson started running in 1951 and was something. He was a contender for the British Team in the 1952 Olympics. He joined Highgate Harriers Club at the age of 17 and competed regularly until 1952 when he hung up his spikes for the first time when he left to go to college, get married and raise a family (4 boys). During 1945 to 1949 he recorded steadily improving performances as a junior but it was in 1948 that he had his first major win, in the North of the Thames Junior 5 mile cross country beating Eric Shirley into third place, in 1949 he won the Middlesex and Southern Junior Cross Country races beating the late Gordon Perie in the latter and was 6th in the National junior ahead of Pirie and Chris Chataway. Following "demob" from 2 years in RAF National Service, Andy concentrated on some speed work with John Hovell his long-standing friend for the 1949 track season (plus wife Gwen) whom he first met in 1949 on Parliament Hill Track Hampstead. John won the Southern Counties League Championships (3 miles) and Andy was 2nd from last, in a field of 22. This paid off with a second in the Middlesex Mile (4.25), 3rd in the Southern (4.28) and making the AAA mile final where he finished 7th in 4:16.8. During 1950 to 1952 he continued to record a series of wins in the Liddiard and Fraternity Cup races and the Middlesex Track and Cross-country championships. He ran a Scottish native record for 3 miles (14:11.2) and equalising Paavo Nurmi world record March 1928, the year AT was born (very pleasing to have equalled one of the great Norma’s world records, 22 years later). Nurmi won 8/9 (TBC) Olympic gold medals 1924/1928 games. and had two international appearances over 3 miles and 50000m. Andrew describes his forte during this period as being in any team events, particularly cross-country and road relay. In the latter, because Highgate Harriers did not field very strong teams, and he usually run the fastest leg, he has the luxury of having a string of runner to overtake. In 1950 he was awarded Life Membership of Highgate Harriers. In 1952 (Olympic Year) Andy started it well by winning the Middlesex Senior cross-country title from Harry Hicks. In March he was 2nd in the Scottish National and in April he won the Southern track 6 miles, ahead of Frank Sando. However, the season was to end in disappointment as he contracted a summer cold at the crucial point in the programme and failed to compete in the Southern 3 mile and was not able to finish the AAA 6 mile (won by Gordon Pirie). So Olympic selection was missed and to Andy it seemed like the end of the world. It was in the clubs centenary year 1979 that Andy came back into running at the age of 51. He started competing in vets races and by 1981 had reduced his marathon time to 2.44.34. In winning the over 50s in the Pony British Marathon and run a personal best 10 mile of 57.08 in the Walton 10. The following year (1982) he ran an all-time personal best of 2.39.48 aged 53 in the London Marathon and 1.30.27 in Bruges 25km. 1982 also a new UK National vet record for over 50s. In October of that year, he turned to ultra-distance and ran the RRC 100km race in Copthal Hall, finished 3rd overall in 8.13.34 and passing the marathon in 2.59.54, 30 miles in 3.26.01 and 50km in 3.33.45, these last two being world age record for over 50s. In 1983 and 1984 he won a series of over 50s and over 55s races in November 1984 again run 100km, this time at Crystal Palace with excellent times - marathon 2.57.54, 30 miles in 3.28.22 and 50km in 3.36.21. Again the last two times representing over 55s world age records. In the 1984 London Marathon he set a new UK Vets over 55 record of 2.41.09 and a new European over 55 record of 1.31.14 in winning the Bruges 25km European championships. Since that time, Andrew has fought again injury, but with his charismatic singleness of purpose has managed to keep coming back He says he has found it hard to come to terms with the missed opportunities of his early years. However his many achievements are those which others strive for. He completed 50 years of club members in 1995. Photo taken pre-xmas 1951 by NoW photographer and Joe Binks (News of the World Athletics editor) ATF had won Middlesex County Champs, Cross Country 7.5m senior for second time January 1951 and went on to win same titled for 3rd time in January 1952 (hence interest o Joe Binks for a News of the World report and photo for story) Middlesex Country history: ATF won Junior 5m title, January 1949, then senior race January 1950 for the first time i.e. 1 junior and 3 senior titles by January 1952 together with 2-3 m track championships (1951 + 1952) ATF won "More Middlesex titles than any English" (Quoted in News of the World article of Summer 1952) Joe Binks History: Had also been member of ATF's club (Highgate Harriers) Held world record for mile (4:16.8) made in 1916 4.16.8 equalled by ATF in final of 1949 AAA championship (finished 7th) ATF Best Performance: 34d in AAA championship 1950 - 3 miles track, in time of 14:11.2 (Early Era 1945 -1952) This in fact also equalled the previous world record set by Paavo Nurmi (Finland) in 1928, the year ATF was born Later era (Veterans) best performances: 1982 London marathon - 2on over 50 section in 2:39.48 a new British 0/50 record also won