On this day – Horsham’s top athlete Alfred Shrubb born

On this day 146 years ago Horsham’s most successful athlete was born in Slinfold.

His amateur career lasted from 1899 to 1905 by which time has was virtually unbeatable in any distance up to 15 miles.

In November 1904 his amateur career culminated in a race at Glasgow when he broke all the amateur records from six to 11 miles, as well as the one hour run record.

However, the following year he was barred from the amateur ranks after being found guilty of accepting payments for running.

He immediately turned professional and competed across the world against other fellow athletes in indoor and outdoor arenas.

In 1919 he moved on to coaching, looking after the cross-country team at Harvard University and then moving back to the UK to help the Oxford University Athletics Club.

In 1928 he moved to Canada where he settled. He died, aged 84, in 1964.