My friend Colin Robinson, who has died aged 86, was an accomplished long distance runner with Rochdale Harriers who later became the club’s cross country secretary and was its president for the last 13 years of his life.
- Colin Robinson held club track records, including a 2,000m 5:08.2 (UK record) and a 4:05.3 mile, both set in 1968.
- First-ever Junior International Cross Country Champion in 1961 at Nantes; represented England in Sheffield (1962) and Cambridge (1972), finishing 16th.
- Noted for mountain running, he won the Three Peaks in 1969, finishing second in 1971 and 1972, aiding the team victory.
- Founder member of the Fell Runners Association and the Red Rose Cross Country League; long-serving official and timekeeper with wife Brenda.
Even today Colin holds some of the Harriers’ track records, including a 2,000m mark of 5min 8.2 sec he set in 1968 (a UK record at the time) and a 4min 5.3 sec mile he laid down in the same year. He twice represented England at cross country and did not stop serious running until 2010, by which time he was 70.
Once he had hung up his vest Colin stayed on as a key member of the club, including as a timekeeper and official at local events in Lancashire, especially in the Red Rose and South East Lancs cross country Leagues, often officiating with his wife, Brenda.
He was born in Rochdale to Edith (nee Moore), a cotton mill worker, and Clifford, an engineer. After attending Greenbank secondary school and Rochdale Technical College, he served an apprenticeship as a fitter, then worked as a Post Office engineer in Rochdale, remaining in that job for the rest of his working life. He married Brenda Bailey, herself an accomplished athlete, in 1964.
Colin’s long career with Rochdale Harriers began as a teenager in 1955, and in 1961 he became the first-ever Junior International Cross Country Champion, at Nantes in France. His two senior England cross country vests came at Sheffield in 1962, and at Cambridge in 1972, finishing 16th on both occasions.
A fast racer on all surfaces, he was especially noted for his prowess in the Three Peaks race in the Yorkshire Dales, which covers 22 miles. He finished first in 1969, leading the Harriers to an overall win in the team race, and claimed second place in 1971 and 1972.
In 1970 Colin became a founder member of the Fell Runners Association, a national body, and of the more local Red Rose Cross Country League. A quiet, reserved man who did not boast about his achievements, he was always happy to offer advice to younger runners when it was sought.
In retirement from active athletics he kept fit by exercising, running and cycling, while he and Brenda became stalwart timekeepers and officials at South East Lancashire Cross Country League events before stepping down together at the end of the 2025-26 season.
He is survived by Brenda, their son, Kristian, and three grandsons, Dylan, Alfie and Finlay.
