Harry William Payne (5 September 1892 – 5 July 1969) was a British
long-distance runner
Long-distance running, or endurance running, is a form of continuous running over distances of at least . Physiologically, it is largely Aerobic exercise, aerobic in nature and requires endurance, stamina as well as mental strength.
Within e ...
who competed in the
marathon at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam and was a two-time national champion. He was born in
Bedfordshire.
Athletics
On 26 May 1928, Payne debuted at the marathon distance and posted a fourth-place finish at the
Polytechnic Marathon (2:54:50.8). Six weeks later on 6 July 1928, he won the
Amateur Athletic Association
The Amateur Athletic Association of England or AAA (pronounced 'three As') is the oldest national governing body for athletics in the world, having been established on 24 April 1880. Historically it effectively oversaw athletics throughout Britai ...
's marathon championship in only his second marathon.
His performance of 2:34:34 set on the Polytechnic Marathon course was a new
British record.
The following month, an injured Payne finished 13th in
marathon at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam (2:42:29).
At the 1929 AAA championships, Payne's 2:30:57.6 mark would earn him a second consecutive title and recapture the British marathon record from
Sam Ferris
Samuel Ferris (29 August 1900 – 21 March 1980) was a British long-distance running athlete who competed mainly in the marathon. He was born in Magherabeg, near Dromore, County Down in Ireland. He won a silver medal for Great Britain
...
– a mark that would stand for 22 years.With this performance, Payne was ranked first in the marathon for 1929.
He competed in the marathon at the
1930 British Empire Games
The 1930 British Empire Games were the inaugural edition of what now is known as the Commonwealth Games, and were held in Hamilton, Ontario, from 16 to 23 August 1930.
The games were organized by ''Hamilton Spectator'' sportswriter Bobby Robinso ...
for England.
Personal life
He was a clerk at the time of the 1930 Games and lived in Woodford Green.
Notes
References
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1892 births
1969 deaths
Sportspeople from Bedfordshire
English male marathon runners
Olympic athletes for Great Britain
Athletes (track and field) at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Commonwealth Games competitors for England
Athletes (track and field) at the 1930 British Empire Games
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