Archive – 40 Anniversary - Ron Hill wins the 1970 Boston Marathon

1968 – Ron Hill focused on the Olympic Games in Mexico City with the ambition to be a part in the GB marathon team.
Ron says “I was dedicated to following my training programme and found that the trials for the team took place during my rest periods”. As such Ron finished 4th in both trials. He wasn’t selected for the marathon team but was included in the 10k GB team.
Race day was going well, with Ron leading the race going into the last 5 laps. “I couldn’t maintain this place, perhaps the altitude played a part.” says Ron. Ron finished 7th.

1969 – Ron took part in the Maxol Marathon in Manchester and won setting a time of 2h13m42s beating the world record holder at the time.
Later that year Ron took part in the Euro Games in Athens and won gold. Ron recalls “Upon leaving the stadium I was asked by the Road Runners Club to take part in the Boston Marathon……I soon set about raising funds for the air fare to take part.”
At the end of the year Ron took part in the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan. Ron finished second to Canadian Jerome Drayton who won in 2h11m13s.

1970 – Boston is here! Ron got his flight and met up with a local family where he would stay during his time in Boston. The day was cool and sure enough the heavens opened and the rain fell.
Ron says “I kept reminding myself of the things I had learnt from the previous years races and sure enough my form followed.”
When asking Ron about his expectations…“they were to finish in the top 2, but the ambition was to win it.”
As the race developed Jerome Drayton, who previously beat Ron in Japan, dropped out part way through. As Ron ran over the finish line a great sense of elation took hold, Ron was the first ever Briton to win in Boston and set a course record of 2h10m30s.

1996 - Ron Hill made Boston his final and 115th Marathon in '96, taking part in the 100th Boston Marathon.

 2010 - Ron was set to go to Boston this year to watch the Marathon and celebrate 40 years since his win. However due to the no-fly restrictions due to the Volcanic Ash in European Airspace Ron was disappointed not to make it.