Legend of the Commonwealth Games

Lackie Stewart beats Ron Clarke (Aus) for 1970 Commonwealth Games Gold

When working in Ross and Cromarty during the summer of 1970, I went to stay with a friend in Edinburgh on a July weekend and headed to the Meadowbank Stadium to watch the Commonwealth Games. Lackie Stewart, the slightly built Scot from Bonhill, Dumbarton had run the legs off the overwhelming favourite, Ron Clarke of Australia in the 10 kilometre race to win the Gold Medal. We were there the following weekend when Ian Stewart of Scotland won the 5000 metres. It was a glorious period of Scottish Athletics and Edinburgh became famed for the friendly games.

I was asked by Gregor to if I could drive him to Balloch for the Loch Lomond 10k. There were road closures and at one stage as we were jammed on the backroads near Gartocharn he got out of the car and began to run to make the start,. The traffic eventually began to move and I was able to pick him up and deliver him with 10 minutes to spare - not enough for his warm up. It made little difference as he galloped in the winner for the second year running. 

As we were waiting for the results to be announced we could see Lackie Stewart seated by himself near the winners enclosure so we approached him and enjoyed 10 minutes hearing stories of Athletics in the 1970s. Lackie often roomed with Ron Hill when on International duty and he regaled us with stories of Ron Hill's mischievous behaviour during marathons. Jim Alder was their other room mate. He told us that David Bedford, the hard training distance runner who claimed he ran 200 miles a week had only lasted for 6 weeks before his fabled training endurance collapsed. 

I asked Lackie about his training regime wondering what had enabled him to run 10 kilometres in 28 minutes11seconds when winning his Gold Medal. I expected him to have trained long miles in the Kilpatrick Hills and acquired his sprinting  speed on the track.but he said it was entirely on the streets of Bonhill and Dunbarton, although there one or two roads that were hilly. He is a legend because of this modesty, an epitome of the amateur athlete who took on the world and by sheer guts and determination became a winner. 

He was a content man as he watched and then presented prizes to the runners: female and male, age group winners, team winners and then posed for photos with them all. Almost a thousand had taken part on a fine summer morning in an event that epitomised all that is best about locally organised and run events. The local Co-op providing drinks and snacks, the local businesses funding T shirts and volunteers from many of the local groups providing the marshals, drinks, and ensuring a spirit of bonhomie 

 Presenting G with Vouchers for Loch Lomond 10k

Meeting a Legend

A few tips

Team Winners as well