Brian Goulden has been a member of Sale Harriers since September 1960 when club legend Alan Robertshaw recruited him (and fellow Life Member Steve Edmunds) when he spotted his talents at a school’s cross country race.

Acute anaemia curtailed his early development and it wasn’t until 1965 that Brian shone out as a great runner. He quickly improved his 5k pb to 15:19 and was part of the 1967 Sale Gold medal teams in the Northern and National Junior Cross Country Championships.

From 1968 he was a regular member of the club’s senior Northern and National Cross Country teams, and on the track he represented Sale over 1500 and 5000m in the British Premier League (BAL).

During 1969 again with Steve Edmunds he was part of the Sale Harriers team that broke the 200 mile road relay record, Cardiff to Caernarfon, in 14:03:50 averaging 4:22 per mile over the 200 miles.

Two years later, again with Steve Edmunds and fellow life member Dave Farmer, he was part of the team who broke the 24 hour world track record, running 287 miles 392yds in one mile reps, on Crossford Bridge’s cinder track, run in November wind, rain and frost, on a track more akin to a cross country course, and with only eight of the ten men in the final stages. Brian averaged 4:55 minute miles for his 32 miles. The following year, the team recorded 293 miles. He attributes the club success in those years to ‘commitment, regular training and club loyalty’.

His lifetime personal bests include:- 800m 1:58, 1500m 3:55, 1 mile 4:12, track 3k 8:24, track 5k 14:35, 10k 30:05, 10 miles 50:10, 20k 63:18, Half Marathon 1hr 7min and Marathon 2:32 at Sandbach in 1978.

Aged 45 Brian still clocked 33 minutes for 10k and was a valued and regular member of the club’s veteran teams until he was 57. He retired in 2006 but continued to keep fit with cycling until he broke his hip in a crash that required a hip replacement.

Brian has supported Sale Harriers throughout his life and in retirement he has been a volunteer who is always available and makes a huge contribution. He has been a key member of the summer 4 x 5k Sizzler team since the series began in the summer of the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games with responsibility for course marshalling. He has trained as a track judge to more effectively help the club at its track and field meetings, giving up weekends to help the club maximise its match points by providing its required quota of officials. At many other times, you will see Brian as an enthusiastic club supporter at cross country, track events and relays.

Fifty five years later Brian’s lifetime commitment to Sale Harriers deserves his life membership.