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Derek Graham

b. 1941

British middle- and long-distance runner

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About Derek Graham

Born 1941. Derek Graham is a British middle-distance runner and long-distance runner.

Derek Austin Graham (born 3 September 1941) is a retired distance athlete from Northern Ireland. The first Northern Irish runner to break 4 minutes for the mile, he was ranked number 1 in the U.K. and Ireland over 2 miles/3000 m, 3 miles/5000 m and cross country at various periods in the 1960s.

Biography Graham competed in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics for Great Britain, finishing seventh in his initial heat for the 5000m race.

Graham was selected for nine consecutive International cross country races (later to be recognised as the World Cross country), finishing second in 1966 in Rabat, Morocco. He also competed in the 1966 European Championships.

Graham represented the 1966 Northern Irish Team at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, participating in the two athletics events; the 1 mile race and the 3 miles race.

Graham was a 21-times Northern Irish champion, winning the mile title six times, the cross-country title seven times, the 3 miles title seven times and 6 mile title in 1967.

He was the Irish record holder for various distances through this time. At the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, Graham picked up a virus which later developed into myalgic encephalomyelitis, ultimately ending his athletics career.

Personal bests

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Derek Austin Graham

People in Derek Graham's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Derek Graham's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Derek Graham?

British middle- and long-distance runner

When was Derek Graham born?

Derek Graham was born on 22 September 1941.

What is Derek Graham's occupation?

Derek Graham is a middle-distance runner and long-distance runner.

What nationality is Derek Graham?

Derek Graham is British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Derek Graham

· Wikidata: Q5261996

· DBpedia: Derek Graham

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Derek Graham. https://biography.guide/derek-graham/

MLA: "Derek Graham." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/derek-graham/.

Chicago: "Derek Graham." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/derek-graham/.

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