Steve Edmunds joined Sale Harriers in 1959 aged 12 and was coached by club legend Alan Robertshaw and Alan’s father (Mr Robbo). Training in those days was from the Rackhouse Community Centre near Wythenshawe Park and sessions often consisted of 3 x 1 mile on the road and a four mile run on Thursdays. Sunday runs were often along the Bridgewater Canal from the old sewerage pumping station in Sale.

Steve competed for Sale Harriers from 1959 to 2005, from boys through to the veterans. Between 1962 and 67 he was on winning teams for boys, youths and juniors in the East Lancs Championships and the Northern and National Cross Country Championships.

Between 1967 and 78 he regularly represented the club in National track and field leagues and Pye Cups, doing the 5000m and 10,000m and was a regular on Northern and National relay teams. His 5k and 10k pbs are 14:16 and 29:17.

Between 1967 and 2000 Steve regularly represented Sale Harriers in road races from Newcaste upon Tyne to Torquay. He was on the team which won the 1969 Cardiff to Caernarvon relay, setting a new 200mile record of 14:3.50. In 1971 he was on the clubs 10 man team which broke the 24 hour track relay world record and the following year his team broke the record again covering over 293 miles in 24 hours.

In 1973 with Dave Farmer and Norman Carrington, he was on the winning Maxol Marathon team when he ran his pb of 2:16:24 which stood for 42 years. Said Steve of those years, “Alan Robertshaw instilled into us all how very important it was that a commitment to run for the club in team events was a must and I believe that that was the reason that the club was so successful in those days”.

 Since 1996 Steve’s main club involvement has been a very willing and valuable club marshal.  He was part of the marshalling team for the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games. Is loyalty, commitment and availability to Sale Harriers for over 50 years is exemplary and inspirational.

Sadly Steve passed away in July 2023 after a short illness. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

After his death a minutes silence was held to comemorate his life at the Sale Sizzler 5k road race held in Wythenshawe Park. His funeral was held at Manchester Crematorium where Brian Goulden gave a moving tribute to Steve's running carreer and acumplishments.

Pictured above: The 1968 Northern Road Relay Championships at Derby. Adrian Watson handing over to Steve with coach 'Mr Robbo' (father of Alan Robertshaw) and Dave Farmer in the background.