Fleet and Free - A History of Birchfield Harriers Athletic Club (Paperback)

The most successful club in the history of British athletics, Birchfield Harriers was formed in 1877, born out of a dispute over a cross country race and named after the old district about which they centred their activities. Ever since its inception over a century ago, Birchfield Harriers has been at the forefront of innovation and development of the sport of athletics. Indeed it was the first club to own it's own track and to employ a full time administrator. Now based at the Alexander stadium, the UK's premier Athletics venue, the club is undergoing a process of reorganisation heralding another significant era in the development of this most famous of athletics clubs. had an increasing impact on the success of track and field events, at not only national but global level. The ultimate accolade of Olympic Champion has been diligently pursued and claimed by Birmingham-born talents Denise Lewis in the heptathlon at Sydney 2000 and Mark Lewis-Francis with his 'glory leg' in the 4 x 100m at Athens 2004. Other success stories are commonwealth champions Bob Weir, Ashia Hansen and Dwayne Ladejo, international athletes such as Glen Smith, Kelly Sotherton and James Hillier, and disabled World Champions and Record holders such as Debbie Brannan. archives, much of which has never been published before, this book will be a delightful read for all those interested in British athletics.