Harry Hill

Harry Heaton Hill (8 May 1916 – 31 January 2009) was a British cyclist who competed in the Olympic Games in 1936. He won the bronze medal in the 4000m team pursuit in Berlin with Ernest Mills, Ernest Johnson, and Charles King.

Born in Padiham,

Upon returning to Britain after the Olympics, Hill bicycled 170 miles towards his hometown. Having bought an Olympic souvenir jacket, he had no money for food and, weak from hunger, hitched a ride for the last 30 miles. After winning the bronze medal, Hill became the first person to cycle 25 miles in an hour on an outdoor track, in Milan in 1937.