Colin Robinson, a pioneering long-distance runner who became the first Junior International Cross Country Champion in 1961, has died at the age of 86. He was a lifelong member of Rochdale Harriers, serving as cross country secretary and later as president for the final 13 years of his life.
Record-breaking career
Robinson's athletic achievements include track records that still stand at Rochdale Harriers. In 1968 he set a 2,000-metre time of 5 minutes 8.2 seconds, which was a UK record at the time, and a mile time of 4 minutes 5.3 seconds in the same year. He represented England twice at cross country, in Sheffield in 1962 and Cambridge in 1972, finishing 16th on both occasions.
Early life and club beginnings
Born in Rochdale to Edith, a cotton mill worker, and Clifford, an engineer, Robinson attended Greenbank secondary school and Rochdale Technical College. He served an apprenticeship as a fitter before working as a Post Office engineer in Rochdale for the rest of his career. He married Brenda Bailey, also a talented athlete, in 1964.
Robinson joined Rochdale Harriers as a teenager in 1955. In 1961, he made history by winning the first-ever Junior International Cross Country Champion title in Nantes, France.
Three Peaks and fell running
He excelled in the Three Peaks race in the Yorkshire Dales, a 22-mile event. He won it in 1969, leading the Harriers to a team victory, and finished second in 1971 and 1972. In 1970, he became a founder member of the Fell Runners Association and the Red Rose Cross Country League.
Later years and legacy
After retiring from serious running in 2010 at age 70, Robinson remained active as a timekeeper and official at local events in Lancashire, including the Red Rose and South East Lancs cross country leagues, often alongside his wife Brenda. The couple stepped down from officiating at the end of the 2025-26 season.
According to his family, Robinson was a quiet, reserved man who did not boast about his achievements but was always happy to offer advice to younger runners. He is survived by Brenda, their son Kristian, and three grandsons: Dylan, Alfie, and Finlay.
