Brendan Foster

Brendan Foster
CBE
Foster at the 1972 Olympics
Personal information
NicknameBig Bren
Born12 January 1948 (1948-01-12) (age 76)
Hebburn, South Tyneside, England
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight10 st 10 lb (150 lb; 68 kg)
RelativeJames Scully GC (uncle)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)1,500 m, 5,000 m, 10,000 m
ClubGateshead Harriers
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)1,500 m – 3:37.64 (1974)
5,000 m – 13:14.6 (1974)
10,000 m – 27:30.3 (1978)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Great Britain
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1976 Montréal 10,000 m
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1974 Rome 5,000 m
Bronze medal – third place 1971 Helsinki 1,500 m
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1978 Edmonton 10,000 m
Silver medal – second place 1974 Christchurch 5,000 m
Bronze medal – third place 1970 Edinburgh 1,500 m

Sir Brendan Foster CBE (born 12 January 1948[1]) is a British former long-distance runner, athletics commentator and road race organiser. He founded the Great North Run, one of the sport's most high profile half-marathon races. As an athlete, he won the bronze medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1976 Summer Olympics and the gold medal in the 5,000 metres at the 1974 European Championships and the 10,000 metres at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. He later provided commentary and analysis on athletics, particularly long-distance events, for BBC Sport.

  1. ^ Richardson, Andy, ed. (12 January 2018). "Happy Birthday to the Original Great North Runner". The Northern Echo. p. 6. ISSN 2043-0442.