Alexander Duncan (athlete)

Alexander Duncan (24 February 1884 – 21 January 1959) was a British long-distance runner and competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics.^[1] He was considered among the fastest long distance runners in the world.^[2]

Alexander Duncan

Personal information
Nationality	British
Born	(1884-02-24)24 February 1884 Kendal, Cumbria, England
Died	21 January 1959(1959-01-21) (aged 74) Kendal, Cumbria, England
Sport
Sport	Long-distance running
Event	Marathon
Club	Salford Harriers

Biography

Duncan belonged to the Kendal Welcome Harrier Club.^[2] Duncan won the English Open Mile in 1902 and came third in the English Half-Mile. He also won the Salford Harrier's sports and Preston Guild mile in 1902.^[3] In 1903, he won the Mile at New Brighton and the Two Miles Handicap at Stanley Park in Liverpool. He then picked up more victories in Barrow, Dalton-in-Furness, Darlington, Jendal, Glasgow, and Leeds. Duncan won the British Northern Counties 4 miles race in 1906.^[4]

In 1907, Duncan won the Northern Counties 4 miles again and won the 1907 AAA Championships 4 miles.^[5][6][7][4] Duncan also came in second place in the 1907 AAA 10 miles race.^[8][4] In 1908, he won the AAA 10 miles race^[7] and then won the 22.5 mile English Marathon Olympic Trial.^[7][4]

Duncan became the National 10 miles champion after winning the AAA Championships title at the 1908 AAA Championships.^[9]

Duncan competed in the men's marathon at the 1908 Summer Olympics^[10] but did not finish along with seven of his teammates.^[4]

Duncan was scheduled to race in the US and Canada in 1909 as part of a tour with Fred Appleby.^[11][12][2] He joined the Kendal Police Force in 1910 and his police duties effectively retired him from the track.^[3] He later became a Vice-President of the North Staffordshire Harriers.^[3]

Duncan was also said to be skilled at gardening and produced "admired" floral displays".^[3] Duncan was married and passed away on January 21, 1959.^[4][3][13]