The ECCA is sorry to be informed that Harry Hicks has passed away from pancreatic cancer. Harry was able to make the National Cross Country Championships back in February as a guest and though he had suffered during the past year from various medical problems was able to enjoy the event so his death comes after a short but devastating illness. Harry who was 86 at the time of his passing achieved a great deal as both an Athlete and Administrator. He had a great career as a Cross Country runner and Harry ran for England twice in the International CC Championships once in 1949 in Ireland where he finished 15th and then again in 1950 where he finished 22nd in Belgium, both times he was in England’s scoring 6.

He then turned his attention to Marathon running and having won the 1956 AAA Marathon Championship held at Port Sunlight, which he won in 2 hrs 26 mins to earn a place in the Olympic Marathon team, Harry made the long journey to compete for Great Britain in the Melbourne Olympics finishing 15th.

After retiring from running he became involved in Administration, being Southern Cross Country Association Secretary for many years and sat on all the English Cross Country Union Committees until he retired from those duties in the late 80s. He was ECCA President in 1993 and was seen regularly at Championships when they were held at Parliament Hill, Harry having been a Hampstead Harrier knew the place and course well around Hampstead Heath.