Brian Hewson

Brian Stanford Hewson (4 April 1933 – 13 September 2022) was a middle-distance runner who represented Great Britain at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics. He won the gold medal in the 1500 metres at the 1958 European Championships.[1]

Brian Hewson
Hewson at a dog race in 1959
Personal information
Full nameBrian Stanford Hewson
Born(1933-04-04)4 April 1933
Croydon, Surrey, England
Died13 September 2022(2022-09-13) (aged 89)
South Africa
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight63 kg (139 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event(s)800 m, 1500 m
ClubMitcham AC
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)800 m – 1:47.0 (1958)
1500 m – 3:41.1 (1958)[1][2]
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Great Britain
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 1958 Stockholm 1500 metres
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
Silver medal – second place 1954 Vancouver 880 yards
Silver medal – second place 1958 Cardiff 880 yards

Hewson was one of the first men to run a four-minute mile, clocking 3:59.8 at the White City Stadium in London on 28 May 1955. As he placed third to László Tábori and Chris Chataway, he became the first to run a mile in less than four minutes and not finish in the top two; before that race, only Roger Bannister and John Landy had run a four-minute mile.[3][4][5]

Early life and education

Hewson was born in Croydon, Surrey. He went to Pollards Hill Junior School, Pollards Hill, London and continued his education at Mitcham Grammar School, Mitcham, London, followed by aged 16 learning every aspect of tailoring at the Regent Street Polytechnic, London.

Athletics career

Early running career

Hewson started running whilst attending Mitcham Grammar School. In 1947 he began to run quarter miles and won the Mitcham Schools Championship. Cecil Dale of Mitcham Athletics Club saw this win and as a result awarded Hewson a scholarship to Mitcham A.C.. He was then introduced to Frank Drew one of the club's coaches who then became Hewson's first coach. In his last year as a Youth he ran the 880 in 1:59.4. In his first year as a Junior he won the A.A.A. Junior 880 title in a record time of 1:55.3.

Sub-4-minute mile

Sadly in April 1955 Hewson's coach Frank Drew died. He was then introduced to Austrian coach Franz Stampfl who was already coaching Chris Chataway. At this time Hewson moved up to run the mile. Then on May 28, 1955, at the British Games Meeting in London, he became only the fourth = man in the world to run a four-minute mile, running 3:59.8 the same time achieved by Chris Chataway in this same race which was won by László Tábori in a time of 3:59.00, but where Hewson was placed third in the race.

A Sub-4 Minute Mile Register chronicles all of the sub 4-minute milers between 1954 - 2002.

1956 Olympics Melbourne Australia

Hewson came second in his heat for the 1500 metres on 29 November in a time of 3:48.0. In the 1500 metres final Hewson was leading in the final straight, only to be then passed by four men. The race was won by Ron Delany in a time of 3:41.2. Hewson came fifth in a time of 3:42.6.

1958

1958 was Hewson's best season, in addition to winning a gold medal in the European Games, he also produced his best times over the half mile and the mile and their metric equivalent times, which when added to his record performances of previous years made him the fastest-ever Englishman over 880 yards, running a personal best in 1958 of 1:47.0, 1000 metres, 1000 yards and 1500 metres running a personal best in 3:41.1, whilst only Derek Johnson had run faster over 800 metres and Roger Bannister and Derek Ibbotson had run faster over the mile.

1958 European Athletic Championships Sweden

Hewson won a Gold Medal in the Men's 1500 metres at The European Championships in Stockholm on 24 August 1958 in a time of 3:41.9.

1960 Olympics Rome Italy

Hewson damaged a calf muscle six weeks before the Rome Olympics and so selectors insisted he run the 800 metres. In his qualifying heat he led for 700 metres before being passed by three runners, meaning that he came fourth and so was eliminated from the 800 metres final.

Career

Having retired from athletics after the Rome Olympics, Hewson continued working at Simpson's of Piccadilly, London as a tailor, before setting up his own tailoring company in the East End of London. Clothing, sport, fashion and retailing were to shape his working career, where he became women's fashion buyer for English Lady and subsequently sportwear and sporting goods buyer for Debenhams. He then joined the Incentive Group where he was involved in the design and manufacture of corporate uniforms for major UK multi-national companies.[6]

Personal life

Hewson married Roberta E. "Bobby" Bassford in 1957, but the marriage was annulled on the grounds that she had refused to consummate the marriage. He married Alison Blaiklock, a secretary, in 1963; the couple had three children, James, Caroline and Charles. They divorced in 1980 and Hewson was remarried to Marion Stiff and had four stepchildren Tim, Sally, Robert and Penny.[7]

Hewson died on 13 September 2022, at the age of 89.[7][8]

Publications

Autobiography
  • Flying Feet. Stanley Paul & Co Ltd. 1962.

References
  1. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Brian Hewson". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020.
  2. Brian Hewson. trackfield.brinkster.net
  3. Sparks, Bob (2002). "Four-minute mile data". Archived from the original on 10 October 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  4. "Hungarian Paces Fantastic Mile". Winnipeg Free Press. 30 May 1955. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  5. Mayer, David (21 November 1955). "Hungary Becomes A Great Power—in Track". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  6. "1958 European 1500m champion Hewson dies". World Athletics. World Athletics. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  7. Mackay, Duncan (16 September 2022). "Brian Hewson, one of history's first sub four-minute milers, dies at age of 89". Inside the Games.
  8. Adams, Tim (17 September 2022). "European 1500m champion Brian Hewson passes away at 89". Athletics Weekly.
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