Brendan Foster CBE MBE

Brendan’s athletics career saw him amass an impressive array of championship medals: Commonwealth Games 1500m bronze (1970) 5000m silver (1974 and 1978) 10000m gold (1978); European Championships 1500m bronze (1971) 5000m gold (1974) and Olympic Games 10000m bronze (1976).

He also set two world records for the 3000m in 1972 and 1974 and a world record for two miles in 1973. During his career he was the UK record holder at five different distances before retiring in 1980.

Brendan joined Nike International Limited in 1981 as UK Managing Director and went on to become European Managing Director Vice President Marketing and Vice President of Nike Europe based in the USA. In 1988 he set up his own company Nova International where he remains Chairman and Managing Director.

Since his retirement from athletics Brendan has stayed very involved with the sport.

In 1981 he founded the Great North Run an event which now attracts some 40000 runners each year.

He is also a senior member of the BBC athletics commentary team and has covered numerous Olympic Games including the 2004 Games in Athens.

Brendan’s enthusiasm for sport takes up a large part of his spare time. Aside from athletics he is a keen football fan supporting Newcastle United.

Brendan was awarded the MBE in 1976.