Former member Tony Williams talks about his time at Well City Harriers, record running in the London Marathon with his son, and why his name appears on a bench many of us use weekly at training.
Tony Williams
Last water jump in the 1,500 m Steeplechase LA Schools at White City, 1960
Interview - February 2024
When did you start running/what got you into running?
I started running when I was about thirteen years old when a pupil at Wells Blue Grammar School. I came second in the annual Cross Country Championships and this made me determined to win it the following year. I trained for the event and beat the reigning champion who was a sixth former at the time. The PE Teacher at the time (Mike Sim) encouraged me to train hard and enter the Somerset Championships and South West Schools events, where I regularly won the mile and Cross Country races.
What was it like going to Millfield school?
My results were spotted by Millfield School and I was offered an Athletics Scholarship as a day pupil. There I had a very good relationship with the Headmaster, R.J.O. Meyer, who encouraged me to do well and also helped with expenses to travel to meets. Millfield is an amazing school with magnificent facilities even in those days of the late 1950’s. I thrived there and was pleased to be Captain of Cross Country and Athletics and also Head of Day Boys. I was also a very strong Cross Country Runner, and kept this up for many years after leaving school.
How did it feel to be recognised with your name engraved on a bench at the track-side of Millfield Athletics Track?
One of my most successful races whilst at Millfield was winning the London Athletics Club Schools 1,500 metres Steeplechase Championship held at the White City Stadium in 1960. When I returned to school the Headmaster had a seat engraved with my name and success placed on the Millfield grounds. Sixty odd years later I feel very proud and honoured that the seat still sits beside the running track.
Bench at Millfield Athletics track celebrating Tony’s steeplechase success.
Do you have a running 'hero' or someone that inspired you to run?
In my younger running career I was inspired by Derek Ibbotson, Herb Elliott and Gordon Pirie. I also got hooked on “Pot Hunting” and most years entered the Police Sports at various venues. Probably one of the most exciting of these races was when I beat Bruce Tulloh of running barefoot fame and English Three Mile Record Holder. It was my nineteenth birthday and it was a handicap one mile track race at the Somerset Police Sports at Taunton. I was given a 100 metres start over him and in a close finish I hung on to the lead. I was awarded the electric razor, obviously selected for him and Tulloh had the Fish Knives and Forks!
Beating barefoot runner Bruce Tulloh
How long were you a member of Wells City Harriers for?
I was a member of Bristol Athletics Club for many years and second claim to Wells City Harriers. I gave up running for several years whilst the children were little and I had to work extra teaching hours to help with the family expenses. When I was in my early forties I met up with Berni Mundy and Kevin Sheppard who were running marathons and they asked me to join them for regular training sessions. My first marathon was The Honiton Marathon which I won in two and a half hours – The headline in the Honiton Paper was “Golden Oldie wins Marathon”. Taking an active part in Harriers Social activities too, I introduced the “Bog Seat” award which was first presented to the late Arthur Vernoum and which I believe is still
presented annually.
Front page Sunday Times Magazine Berni Mundy and Tony 1983
Did you participate in any other sports?
Over the years and whilst I was still running I got involved in Water Ski Racing at a high level due to my middle son Marcus being selected to represent Great Britain as a Ski Racer. I drove our speedboat for him and he was twice European Champion in races in Oropesa and Sicily. I was appointed Great Britain Team Captain, a post I held between 1997 and 2008 and I travelled with the team worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, Las Vegas, Sicily, Austria, Italy, Belgium and Holland. After retiring from Water Ski Racing, although not a runner (swimming being his best discipline) Marcus competed in many triathlons. He represented GB in his age group in Den Haag in Holland and we went out to support him. His sons are also high level sportsmen so there is always a sporting event of some description for me to go and watch.
Tony leading out his GB Waterski Racing Team at the World Championships
Are there any standout moments during your time at Wells City Harriers? (for yourself or other members?)
In 1984 at the age of 43 I ran my best ever London Marathon in a time of 2 hrs 29 mins 44 secs. After this Berni Mundy and I had the opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon, USA.
Tony crossing the line at the 1984 London Marathon
As time went by my youngest son Daniel also proved to be a classy middle distance runner so we both decided to enter the London Marathon in 1997. Both of course representing Wells City Harriers. Dan had recently celebrated his nineteenth birthday and I was fifty-five! He ran 2 hrs 37 mins and I ran 2 hrs 47 mins, which turned out to be the fastest Father and Son combined times in the London Marathon that year.
Daniel and Tony in Athletics Weekly 1997
We had a very competitive and sociable team in my running days with the Harriers and we had success in many events and in the Avalon Cross Country League.
The year 2012 was probably one of my most memorable years. Knowing she would be in GB for the London Olympic Games, I worked hard to get Mary Bignal Rand the Freedom of the City of Wells. I had huge support from the then Editor of Wells Journal, Philip Welsh and Clinton Rogers of BBC Points West TV. I also had the backing of Lord Colin Moynihan who was Chairman of the British Olympic Association at the time, and strong support from The Bishop of Bath and Wells. At the time the City Council were reluctant to award the honour to her, but continued pressure and publicity won the day. Mary came to Wells to receive her Honour on Sunday 15th July 2012 and was given a fantastic welcome by the local citizens. This probably helped with my selection to run with the Olympic Torch and I was so
excited and proud to do this. I was hoping to run it in my home town of Wells, but instead was allocated Newport, South Wales! But really I would have run anywhere with it!
2012 Carrying Olympic Torch in Newport
That same year I was awarded Sporting Hero of Heart of Somerset Community Awards, which culminated an extremely memorable year for me.
2012 Local Sporting Hero
Over the years I also arranged two visits to No 10 Downing Street, one to introduce my British Water Ski Racing Team and one taking a local group for lunch with Colin Moynihan in the Peers Dining Room.
Obviously all through my life I have been extremely competitive and always wanted myself, my family, or my team to Win.
When did you retire from running?
After 2012 I was suffering from bad back, painful joints and general age related aches so I decided to retire from running. This was of course a very difficult time for me, particularly when I would come across some of my former competitors and mates who would encourage me to have another go. But it did become physically impossible.
Did you have a preferred running brand?
Throughout my adult running career I always used New Balance shoes and of course Ron Hill shorts.
Most of your results and PBs came before digital records. Can you share a few?
The distances I raced on the track were normally the mile, (4 mins 15 secs) 880 yards (1 min 55 secs) and 3,000 metres Steeplechase. (9 mins plus).
How did it feel to see your son follow in your footsteps and see him become so successful?
Daniel joined the Metropolitan Police and this halted his running career for a number of years, until his own son Harrison started winning Somerset Schools events. I got so much pleasure from watching and supporting them both over the years and I am pleased that Dan has rejoined the Harriers and is enjoying the comradeship and sense of competition it offers.
Missed an interview? Click on the links below to Meet another Harrier.
Graham Goldsmid - January 2024
Sophie Nicholls - December 2023