Tony Simmons (athlete)

Anthony 'Tony' Derrick Simmons (born 6 October 1948) is a male former athlete.

Tony Simmons
Personal information
NationalityWelsh
Born (1948-10-06) 6 October 1948 (age 76)
Maesteg, Bridgend, Wales
Sport
ClubLuton United AC
Medal record
Athletics
Representing  Great Britain
European Athletics Championships
Silver medal – second place 1974 Rome 10,000m

Athletics career

edit

Simmons represented England in the 1974 British Commonwealth Games, in Christchurch, New Zealand[1][2] finishing seventh in the 10,000 metres.[3] Four years later he represented his birth country (Wales) in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres events, at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, finishing sixth in the 10,000 metres and seventh in the 5,000 metres.[4]

He won the silver medal in the 10,000 metres at the 1974 European Athletics Championships, finishing 4 hundredths of a second behind the gold medallist. In the 1976 Summer Olympics he qualified for the finals of the 10,000 metres, finishing 4th. He set a world best for the half-marathon at Welwyn Garden City, England on 24 June 1978 of 62 minutes 47 seconds. The mark stood for nearly 16 months until eclipsed by Nick Rose.

Personal bests

edit
  • 1 mile: 4:03.1, 19 July 1967, Motspur Park, New Malden, London (British record as an 18 year old at the time)
  • 1500 metres: 3:41.1 min, 12 June 1977, Cwmbran
  • 2000 metres: 5:05.32 min, 4 July 1975, London
  • 3000 metres: 7:51.53 min, 23 August 1978, London
  • 5000 metres: 13:21.2 min, 23 May 1976, Kiev
  • 10,000 metres: 27:43.59 min, 30 June 1977, Helsinki
  • Marathon: 2:12:33 h, 7 May 1978, Sandbach

References

edit
  1. ^ "1974 Games". Team England.
  2. ^ "Athletes, 1974 England team". Team England.
  3. ^ "1974 Athletes and results". Commonwealth Games Federation.
  4. ^ "1978 Athletes and results". Commonwealth Games Federation.
edit
Records
Preceded by Men's Half Marathon World Record Holder
24 June 1978 – 14 October 1979
Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Men's Half Marathon Best Year Performance
1978
Succeeded by