Scottish Athletics to induct 800m runner

HE WAS the tough of the track who was working on a building site when he shot to fame as the man who beat the almost invincible Steve Cram.

It was 1985, and in Cram's own backyard at Gateshead, the little-known Tom McKean inflicted a shock defeat on the biggest star in British athletics. At that point, Cram was untouchable on the world stage over 1,500m, and devastating over 800m. He was the reigning World, European and Commonwealth champion over 1,500m, and in 1985 he broke the world records in the 1,500m, mile and 2,000m, while also beating the reigning Olympic 800m champion Joaquim Cruz in one of the fastest times ever recorded over two laps.

McKean was a raw 21-year-old from Bellshill with a deadly kick over the final stages of an 800m race, a natural talent that allowed him to streak past an unsuspecting Cram in the home straight at the international meeting. The Jarrow athlete was taken by surprise to find himself under any pressure at the front of the race, and he was unable to respond when McKean put the foot down.

The headlines the next day were split between McKean and Cram, with editors either hailing this startling new talent in British athletics or highlighting a shock defeat for Cram. 'Poor little rich kid!' was one newspaper's verdict, as the contrast was laid bare between the 60-per-week labourer with Motherwell Council who had been on the dole three months earlier, and the 250,000-per-year golden boy. Cram was reputed to be on a five-figure sum for his part in the race, while McKean wasn't paid a penny.

The Scot had come in under the radar during a successful period for British athletics during which eyes were trained on Cram, Seb Coe, Steve Ovett and Peter Elliott. But his win over Cram was no great surprise to coach Tommy Boyle, who had seen his young prospect stack up 30 consecutive wins over 800m – mainly low key races, but including the UK Championship. It took Olympic champion Cruz to eventually end McKean's winning streak.

It was the start of a successful track career over 800m that would see McKean crowned European champion in 1990, pick up four consecutive European Cup titles, world and European indoor titles, and two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and one at the European Championships. That European medal remains one of the most memorable images of the era for British middle distance running, as the honours were settled in Stuttgart with a sprint finish down the home straight featuring McKean, Cram and Coe. Once again, McKean got the better of Cram, but Coe took gold ahead of them.

It is almost 15 years since McKean called time on his career, but his fastest time remains in fifth place on the UK all-time list of 800m runners. Today, his achievements have earned him a well-deserved place in the Scottish Athletics hall of fame where he becomes the sixth inductee – joining Allan Wells, Eric Liddell, Liz McColgan, Wyndham Halswelle and Yvonne Murray on the roll of honour.

Announcing the news yesterday, Scottish Athletics chair Mark Hollinshead said: "Can it really be 20 years ago that Tom was putting together four European Cup wins in a row? The passage of time has put his achievements in context and some of them may not be repeated for many years. He is a worthy number six inductee into this line up of legendary athletes."

McKean's four successive European Cup wins were recorded from 1985 to 1991, while his world and European indoor titles were won in Toronto in 1983 and Glasgow in 1990 respectively. His first Commonwealth Games silver was won over 800m in Edinburgh in 1986, and he matched that four years later in Auckland with a surprise second place as part of Scotland's 4x400m relay team.

There were tough times for McKean too, and more than a hint of unfulfilled potential when he suffered disappointment – at times self-inflicted – at the Olympic Games (twice) and World Championships (twice again). Nevertheless, he remains by far and away Scotland's most successful male middle distance runner, and although he has freely admitted in the past that he retains no strong interest in athletics – he settled into a new career as a policeman after his track days were over – it is hoped that his official hall of fame induction will take place next month on the fitting occasion of Scottish Athletics' annual dinner.

IN NUMBERS

UK all-time 800m list

1:41.73

Seb Coe, Florence, 1981

1:42.88

Steve Cram, Zurich, 1985

1:42.97

Peter Elliott, Seville, 1990

1:43.84

Martin Steele, Oslo, 1993

1:43.88

Tom McKean, London, 1989