Alexander Duncan

Personal information
Nationality	British
Born	(1884-02-24)24 February 1884 Kendal, Cumbria, England
Died	21 January 1959(1959-01-21) (aged 74)
Sport
Sport	Long-distance running
Event	Marathon

Alexander Duncan (24 February 1884 – 21 January 1959) was a British long-distance runner. He was considered among the fastest long distance runners of the world.^[1]

Information

Duncan belonged to the Kendal Welcome Harrier Club.^[1] Duncan won the English Open Mile in 1902 and came third in the English Half-Mile. He won the Salford Harrier's sports and Preston Guild mile as well in 1902.^[2] In 1903, he won the Mile at New Brighton and the Two Miles Handicap at Stanley Park in Liverpool. He then picked up more victories in Barrow, Dalton-in-Furness, Darlington, Jendal, Glassgow and Leeds. Duncan won the British Northern Counties 4 miles race in 1906.^[3] In 1907, Duncan won the Northern Counties 4 miles again and won the 1997 AAA 4 Miles.^[4][3] Duncan also came in second place in the 1907 AAA 10 miles race.^[3] In 1908, he won the AAA 10 miles race^[4] and then won the 22.5 mile English Marathon Olympic Trial.^[4][3] Duncan competed in the men's marathon at the 1908 Summer Olympics^[5] but did not finish along with seven of his teammates.^[3]

Duncan was scheduled to race in the US and Canada in 1909 as part of a tour with Fred Appleby.^[6][7][1] He joined the Kendal Police Force in 1910 and his police duties effectively retired him from the track.^[2] He later became a Vice-President of the North Staffordshire Harriers.^[2]

Duncan was also said to be skilled at gardening and produced "admired" floral displays".^[2] Duncan was married and passed away on January 21, 1959.^[3][2][8]