Mike McLeod (athlete)

Mike McLeod (Michael James McLeod; born 25 January 1952 in Dilston, Northumberland) is a British former athlete who competed mainly in the 10,000 metres.

Mike McLeod
Mike McLeod (left) and Dick Quax (right) (1977)
Personal information
Birth nameMichael James McLeod
NationalityBritish
Born (1952-01-25) 25 January 1952
Dilston, Northumberland, England
Sport
ClubElswick Harriers, Newcastle upon Tyne
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Great Britain
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1984 Los Angeles10,000 metres
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 1978 Edmonton 10,000 metres

Athletics career

McLeod competed for Great Britain in the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, United States in the 10,000 metres where he won the silver medal. McLeod only finished third but second placed Martti Vainio had been disqualified for taking anabolic steroids. Race winner Alberto Cova has since admitted to using blood transfusions during his career, and there has been speculation that McLeod could and should therefore be eventually awarded the gold medal.[1]

McLeod ran for Elswick Harriers of Newcastle upon Tyne from an early age winning many races on a regional, national and international scale. One of his greatest achievements was being presented with an Olympic silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, the best performance by a British athlete at that time. Twice winner of the Golden 10,000 metre which seems to be now known as the world championships. McLeod won the Morpeth to Newcastle road race on five occasions with 63 minutes and 25 seconds being his best time in 1980. He won the Saltwell Harriers 10k road race 17 years in a row. McLeod also won the first Great North Run and went on to win it again the following year. He competed abroad and won the Giro al Sas 10K race in Italy in 1984.[2]

He represented England and won a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres event, at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.[3] Four years later he represented England, once again in the 10,000 metres event, at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[4] A third Commonwealth Games appearance arrived in 1986 when he represented England, at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.[5][6]

Personal life

His son, Ryan McLeod, is now a professional runner. Mike is his coach.[7] His brother is Olympian Tony McLeod.[8]

Business activities

McLeod is owner/director of Abacus Printers, based in Gateshead.[9] He is also President of Future Sport NE, a charity supporting young people in sport in the North East of England.[10]

References
  1. "Athletics: McLeod: When we were the run kings". The Independent. 1 October 2006. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  2. Albo d'Oro Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine. Giro al Sas. Retrieved on 2010-11-05.
  3. "1978 Athletes". Team England. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  4. "1982 Athletes". Team England. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  5. "1986 Athletes". Team England. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  6. "Athletes and results". Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived from the original on 28 September 2019. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
  7. McGuirk, Bill (9 October 2014). "North East runner Ryan McLeod wins the British half-marathon title in Cardiff". Chronicle Live. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  8. "Olympic Profile". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  9. "Abacus Printers LLP - OC327297 - NE10 0HW Pelaw Tyne & Wear incorporated 01/04/2007 - company credit reports and accounts - bizzy". Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  10. "FutureSport". Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
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