The Forgotten Winner: The Notorious Vancouver Marathon 1954

Scottish gold medal winner Joe McGhee gives his personal account of the notorious 1954 Vancouver Empire and Commonwealth Games marathon, and lifts the lid on the life of a 1950s long-distance runner.

The 1954 marathon has been called one of the ten greatest races of all time. Run in extreme conditions, with only six competitors finishing, it is remembered for the collapse of England’s Jim Peters. Little recognition has ever been given to the winner, Joe McGhee, one of Scotland’s most outstan...