Brian Hall (20/8/1937 - 30/8/2010)

We regret to announce the passing of Brian Hall after a long battle over several years with cancer. 

Brian was an international athlete on the track and over the country, an organiser of races, an administrator and a determined battler to improve athletic facilities in the Winsford area of Cheshire. 

Brian was a prominent middle distance athlete in the early 1960’s competing with a small group of top athletes for Manchester & District Lads Club Harriers taking part in races from 800m to 6 miles.  Probably his best year was 1962 when after gaining an England vest in the International cross country championships (held in Graves Park, Sheffield) he then later in the year gained a GB vest on the track at 1500m.  Most of his best track times were set that year, including a mile in 4mins 0.1secs during a period of several attempts to break the 4 minute barrier.  That time put him 4th on the UK list for the year, plus a 2 miles in 8:38.8 (2nd on UK list) and a 3000m steeplechase in 8:49.8 (3rd UK).  In 1961 he was a member of relay team which set a UK National record for the 4 x 1 mile event

Moving to Winsford, Brian formed the Winsford Athletic club in the early 1970’s which later merged with Mid-Cheshire AC to form the now well known Vale Royal AC.  During the 1970’s he was a prolific organiser of races within Cheshire and in addition was instrumental in getting a shale track built at Knights Grange Sports Complex in Winsford.  In later years, while ill, he drove forward a plan to convert the track to a synthetic surface.  Although unsuccessful in the complete project, Brian lived to see a synthetic surfaced high jump area, javelin runway, long/triple jump runway and a throws cage completed a few weeks before he died.

Brian was a very stylish runner who competed with great tenacity, a feature he also demonstrated when he was involved in projects such as the track at Winsford.  He was the road race permit officer under the NCAA for a number of years for East Cheshire and Greater Manchester (District 8).  He was elected as a Vice President of the Cheshire County Athletic Association for his contribution to athletics in the county.  He took a considerable interest in the performances of new athletes and was delighted when his grand-daughter, Hannah Weedall, competed for English Schools in the World Schools cross country in Italy.

John Driscoll
2 September 2010