Ted Whitehead (1930-2011)

Middlesex County AA is sad to report the death of Ted Whitehead on 22 December 2011, aged 81. Ted was a Past President of the Association and had served the County as Secretary for 34 years, standing down in 2006.

Ted showed considerable potential as a young middle distance runner. He joined Wigmore Harriers, who were based at Parliament Hill Fields, in 1946 before moving to Finchley Harriers (later Hillingdon AC) in 1949. He was twelfth in the English Cross Country Championships, sixth in the Southern Championships and was part of the Middlesex team that won the Inter-Counties Championships in 1953. While doing National Service, Ted ran for the British Army of the Rhine in matches all over Europe.

A motorbike accident in 1955 brought a premature end to Ted’s running career. He was left with two broken legs and spent four months in hospital. Although Ted did manage to run again, he would never be able to again reach his usual 120 miles a week in training and regain his former standard. However, rather than leave the sport he loved, Ted took a series of athletics management and officiating courses. He went on to act as a timekeeper at more than 30 International meetings, including Olympic, European and Commonwealth trials and the London Marathon.

In 2005 the South of England Athletic Association honoured Ted for 40 years service to the sport during which time he was President of the SEAA, President of Middlesex County AA, President of Hillingdon AC, and Chairman of the English Cross Country Association.

We give thanks for Ted’s magnificent service to our sport over so many years and our condolences go to his wife Jean and all his family.