Hillingdon AC are sad to report the death of Ted Whitehead on Thursday 22 December 2011, aged 81.
He joined Finchley Harriers, now Hillingdon Athletic Club, in July 1949 and was a very promising endurance runner, making the senior Middlesex cross country team. He was first scorer for Finchley in the 1955 National, becoming cross country captain where he proved a great motivator with tremendous enthusiasm, always leading by example.
His running career came to an abrupt halt in December 1955 after his Lambretta skidded on an oil patch and crashed, leaving Ted with a permanently damaged leg.
But this sad event did not deter him from carrying on helping both Club and County for the remainder of his life, serving both as Secretary and President, amongst other official roles, as well as reaching international level as a timekeeper.
His unique character will be much missed and our thoughts and best wishes go out to his family at this sad time.