John Disley
John Ivor Disley (20 November 1928 – 8 February 2016) was a Welsh athlete who mainly competed in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He was born in Corris, Gwynedd, and studied at Oswestry Boys High School and Loughborough College.
Disley became British steeplechase champion in 1952 and shortly after won a bronze medal for Great Britain in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the Helsinki Olympics. He set five British records in the steeplechase and four at two miles, as well as Welsh records at six distances. He also broke the Welsh 3000-foot peaks traverse record.
He represented Wales at the Commonwealth Games in 1954 and 1958, though he did not win medals there. He won additional AAA titles in 1955 and 1957. By profession, he taught physical education at Isleworth Grammar School in southwest London, becoming Chief Instructor and later Committee Chairman there until 1966.
Disley helped found the London Marathon, which began in 1981 after he was inspired by the New York Marathon in 1979. He served as president of the London Marathon Charitable Trust and was vice-chairman of the UK Sports Council from 1974 to 1982. He was a pioneer of orienteering in the UK and competed in the 1966 World Orienteering Championships.
He also co-founded the Oswestry Olympians Athletics Club and held leadership roles in Welsh sport, including involvement with the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and the Snowdonia Society. Disley was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1979. The John Disley Lifetime Achievement Award is named in his honor.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 23:11 (CET).