…and discover inspiring stories and amazing objects from the history of athletics
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- Mother of British Athletics remembered at Pickering Memorial International 2026
Jean Pickering (née Desforges) MBE 1929 – 2013. Olympic, Commonwealth, and European medallist, record breaker, philanthropist and founder of the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund. The Athletics Museum was thrilled to be invited to celebrate the remarkable career of Jean Pickering (nee Desforges) with a pop up exhibition at the 2026… Read more: Mother of British Athletics remembered at Pickering Memorial International 2026 - The Mythos of the Marathon
For many, the marathon is the ultimate test. Something to dream of, to achieve maybe once in a lifetime. It’s the pinnacle. For a few, marathon running is what they do, what they train for, day in and day out. As the elite men and women line up for the… Read more: The Mythos of the Marathon - J. H. Martin Pratt (1929-1955) Polytechnic Harrier who ran with the best but left too soon
J.H. Martin Pratt was a gifted 880yard runner, succeeding at domestic level while rubbing shoulders with Olympians. His death from leukaemia in 1955 at the age of just 26 years cut short any promises of what might have been. - The history of the ‘National’ cross country
It’s wild, it’s wet, it’s cross-country season again! With the National taking place on 21st February this year, The Athletics Museum looks into the history of the race, discovers the origins of cross country as an event, and finds out why so many athletics clubs are still called after a small dog. With huge thanks to Eamon Martin of the English Cross Country Association. - Cool Running: the athletics bobsleigh crossover
With the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games just around the corner, we take a look at the British Athletes who have made the switch from summer to winter pursuits and vice versa, representing Team GB (or coming very close) at both Summer and Winter Games. Once upon a time… Read more: Cool Running: the athletics bobsleigh crossover - The Athletics Museum 2025: the year in review
2025 has been a busy year for The Athletics Museum. We celebrated the life and achievements of athlete and strong man Geoff Capes with a pop up exhibition at Pickering Memorial International throws competition in Loughborough in June, collaborated with The Hockey Museum to interview athlete and hockey star Joy… Read more: The Athletics Museum 2025: the year in review - Historic Athletics Trophy Goes on Display, in a Football Exhibition
The historic Prince Hassan Pacha 100 Yards Challenge Cup has gone on loan to the National Football Museum as part of their new exhibition Black in the Game which celebrates Black excellence in English football. Black in the Game which is in the National Football Museum’s Score Gallery until March… Read more: Historic Athletics Trophy Goes on Display, in a Football Exhibition - The first five-footer: the short, spectacular career of Phyllis Green
On 11 July 1925 Phyllis Green became the first woman to clear five foot in the high jump. Though not as celebrated as the likes of Roger Bannister’s first sub-four-minute mile, it remains a hugely important landmark in British and global athletics. - A century of sport: GB athlete Joy Crowther on her birthday
The Athletics Museum was lucky enough to sit down with Team England and Team GB athlete and England hockey player Joy Crowther (nee Smith) to hear her memories of a century in sport as she celebrates her 100th birthday. - Running in the Shadows of the Gods
Journalist and former athlete Paul Larkins reflects on a golden era of British middle-distance running and its resurgence over the past few years in his new book Running in the Shadows of the Gods.