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James Ashworth (runner)

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James Ashworth
Personal information
NicknameJimmy
Born (1957-04-08) 8 April 1957 (age 67)
Bradford, England
OccupationDustbin Man/Endurance Coach
Sport
SportAthletics
ClubBingley Harriers
Medal record
Representing  Great Britain
Marathon
Major Marathons
Silver medal – second place 1983 Berlin Marathon
Gold medal – first place 1985 Berlin Marathon

James Ashworth (born 8 April 1957) is a British former marathon runner, who won the 1985 Berlin Marathon, and came second at the 1983 Berlin Marathon. He also won the 1985 Miami Marathon.

Career

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Ashworth competed for Bingley Harriers.[1] In 1983, Ashworth won the Piccadilly Marathon in Manchester, England.[2] Later in the year, he came second at the 1983 Berlin Marathon, 24 seconds behind Karel Lismont.[3] It has his personal best time.[4] He finished second at the 1984 Miami Marathon behind Sweden's Tommy Persson. Ashworth had been leading until 5 miles (8.0 km) to go in the race, when he was overtaken by Persson. His finishing time was five seconds slower than in Berlin the previous year.[4] He came seventh at the 1984 London Marathon,[5] and 24th at the 1984 New York City Marathon.[6]

Ashworth won the 1985 Miami Marathon in a time of 02:18:50.[7][8][9] American Barry Brown had been leading the race for the first 20 miles (32 km), before Ashworth overtook him, as Brown was suffering with a leg injury.[8] Ashworth had spent most of the race in the leading pack behind Brown,[10] and gradually caught up to him.[8] Ashworth himself was running with a knee injury sustained two months before the race.[10] Later in the year, he won the 1985 Berlin Marathon, in a time of 02:11:43.[7][11] He finished more than two minutes ahead of Henrik Albahn, who finished the race in second.[11]

In 1986, Ashworth chose not to race the Miami Marathon, and competed in a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) race in the city instead.[9] He attempted to qualify for the marathon event at the 1986 Commonwealth Games.[12] Later in the year, he came 12th at the 1986 New York City Marathon; he was the highest finishing Briton at the race.[13]

Personal life

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Ashworth is from Bradford, Yorkshire, England.[8][9] As of 1985, he was married and had two children.[10] Aside from running, he worked as a dustbin man.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Vets Newsletter" (PDF). Bingley Harriers. Spring 2010. p. 6. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Clowing Around". The Guardian. 30 May 1983. p. 4. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Athletics". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 September 1983. p. 28. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b "Persson, De Brouwer Win OB Marathon". The Palm Beach Post. 8 January 1984. p. 70. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "1984 London Marathon". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Jimmy Ashworth". New York Road Runners. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Winners of AIMS events in 1985". Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d "Ashworth wins OB Marathon". The Palm Beach Post. 6 January 1985. p. 70. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b c ""People's race" offers individual tests". Sun-Sentinel. 10 January 1986. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  10. ^ a b c "No honeymoon: Bourrier 13th, but pays the price". Fort Lauderdale News. 6 January 1985. p. 35. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "Athletics". The Guardian. 30 September 1985. p. 24. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Athletics". The Guardian. 17 April 1986. p. 29. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Poli fits the bill for Italy". The Guardian. 3 November 1986. p. 29. Retrieved 5 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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