WE RECENTLY learned of the passing of retired British Cross- Country runner, Stanley Edward Eldon. Stan contributed a regular sports column to this paper through the 1970s and ‘80s. He also ran sports shops in Caversham and Tilehurst and was a familiar figure to generations of local sportspeople. His businesses became part of the local sporting landscape, serving runners and athletes and reflecting his
lifelong passion for sport.
Stan was born in Windsor on 1 May 1936. He grew up there during the Second World War and started his athletics career during his time at Windsor County Boys’ School, running 800 yards and cross-country races. When he left school, he joined the Berkshire Constabulary as a police cadet before his National Service call-up where he served in the Royal Military Police and became Army 3-mile champion. He went on to become one of Britain’s top distance runners, winning the International Cross-Country title in 1958.
In 1961, he left the police and was the first athlete to start a retail sports business in Reading under his own name, which he ran successfully for over twenty-five years. In addition to his regular contributions to the Caversham Bridge, he wrote for the Reading Evening Post (until its closure in 2014) and broadcast on local radio. With Radio 210, he set a challenge on air just before the Easter weekend in 1976 for Reading people to turn up in Prospect Park for a jog around the park. About 200 people turned up the following Tuesday evening, ready for a run. The group continued to run for the rest of the year, and some decided to meet on a regular basis – a year later they became Reading Joggers.
In 1983 he was instrumental in establishing the Reading Half Marathon. Stan was awarded the MBE in 2008 for his work in setting it up.
In later years Stan worked tirelessly for charity, becoming a champion of disabled sports and a proud Rotarian. On two occasions he ran 176 miles between Reading and Meru in France to raise money for charities connected to sport for disabled people, despite becoming diabetic before the second run.
Stan passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2026, with his granddaughter by his side. His illustrious running career is part of athletic history – he was one of the best in British athletics.
For more information see: http://www.staneldon.co.uk
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