Page 26 - Thrapston Life August 2024

he was selected to run for England a month later. With his place in the team cemented, he continued to dominate until his inevitable selection to represent his country (and Thrapston Harriers) at the Olympic
club running vest.
When the Great War began in 1914 it ended
any hopes that another Thrapston Harrier may achieve Olympic success, as the intended
Games. He was selected to run in both
the 5,000 and 10,000m individual races
as well as both the individual and team cross-country events. In the 10,000m
heats Hibbins failed to qualify, doing
better in the 5,000m where he finished
9th in the final. The individual cross- country event did not go to plan and
Hibbins eventually finished in 15th
place. However, it was in the team
event, at which he had performed with
great prowess, that he had his finest
hour. The England team came in 3rd, thus giving the Thrapston Harrier a bronze medal.
At the end of 1912 the Harriers had this team photograph of all the senior runners with the many trophies and medals won during the year. Fred Hibbins is seated third from the left on the front row, wearing his England badge on his
1916 games in Berlin were, inevitably, cancelled. At least one of the Harriers
number, Jack Waite, was killed during the war. He is mentioned in the
Thrapston role of Honour book “In the Springtime of their Lives” and shown here.
There may well be other Thrapston Olympians. If you are aware of any, please let me know.
Next month will be my 100th consecutive article in this series. Thank you for all your kind comments and
Jack Waite, was killed during the war
encouragement, which has kept me going since the first one in May 2016.
CROWSONS FUNERAL DIRECTORS
BARNWELL, OUNDLE & THRAPSTON
Caring, professional funeral home for over 120 years
Funeral Home, 48 Barnwell, Nr Oundle, PE8 5PS 01832 272269
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Eric Franklin can be contacted for comments and suggestions for future articles at: ericfranklin2@hotmail.com