Joseph English (athlete)

Joseph English (7 January 1883 – 7 June 1942) was a British middle-distance runner who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics.^[1]

English was born in Manchester, England, and became the Northern Counties champion for the first time in 1906.^[2] The following year, he became the British steeplechase champion after winning the British AAA Championships title at the 1907 AAA Championships.^[3][4]

English represented the Great Britain team at the 1908 Olympic Games in London,^[5][6] where he participated in the men's 3200 metres steeplechase competition. In his heat he fell and was eliminated.^[2] He was also on the start list for the 800 metres but did not take his place.^[2]

English would win eight Northern titles in total, with wins coming from 1906 to 1910 and 1912 to 1914^[2] and he would win a second AAA Championship at the 1910 AAA Championships.^[7]

During World War I, English received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for repairing telephone lines under enemy fire, while serving as a sapper for the Royal Engineers.^[2] After the war, English continued to compete, finishing second to George Gray at the 1919 AAA Championships.^[8][9]

English was a plumber by trade and became a life member of Manchester AC and later served as president for the club.^[2]