Former 5000m record holder Chris Chataway dies age 82

Back on the 6th of May 1954, Roger Bannister ran the first ever sub 4 minute mile. On the day, his two pacemakers were Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway. Last Sunday the 19th of January, Chris Chataway passed away aged 82.

Although he will possibly be best remembered for playing a part in breaking the 4 minute barrier, he had a short but successful athletics career of his own. Bannister's coach at the time Franz Stampfl also coached Chataway who went on to become the 4th man to break the 4 minute barrier in 1955. On the 13th of October 1954, Chataway set a new world record for the 5,000m when he ran 13:51.6. In the European Championships in 1954 in Switzerland, he won silver.

Even though he retired from international athletics back in 1956, he continued to be involved in the  athletics and running with his club. As recently as 2006, he ran the Great North Run Half-Marathon in Newcastle in 1:38:50 aged 75.

The BBC have an article on the late Chris Chataway here...http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/athletics/25801188