Norman John dies at the age of 96 First Secretary of Cardiff AAC

Monday 28 April 2025

Norman John dies at the age of 96

Norman with his goddaughter Cardiff coach Alyson Hourihan

Welsh Athletics and his club Cardiff Athletics are very sad to hear of the death of another club stalwart, Norman John BEM, who died earlier today, 28th April at the age of 96. His death follows that of Mary Lister who died earlier this month.

Norman was the first secretary of Cardiff AAC - the forerunner of Cardiff Athletics - which was formed by the merger of the two then Cardiff clubs, Roath and Birchgrove Harriers in 1968. He was given the Meritorious Award in 1979 for his services to Welsh athletics.

Athletics and the military were his main interest and after running for Thames Valley Harriers when he was working in London he moved back to Wales and joined Roath Harriers where he became club secretary.

He also joined the Royal Regiment of Wales at Maindy Barracks as a Sergeant physical training instructor and developed a strong cross-country team which won many regimental championships. It was here that the late Bob Maplestone first developed his interest in running and went on after moving to the USA to become the first British athlete to better for 4 minutes for the mile indoors. Bob often said that it was Norman who motivated him to become the star athlete that he became.

Another of Norman’s recruits at Maindy Barracks was the President of Welsh Athletics, Graham Finlayson who remained close to Norman until he died. Said Graham: “Norman was one of the nicest and calmest of persons you could meet. He developed the team at Maindy Barracks into one of the best in the British Army, winning the team award at the Welsh 3,000 which included the 13 peaks in Snowdonia on numerous occasions.”

Everyone at Cardiff Athletics and Welsh athletics send their deepest condolences to his family at the sad time.

Clive Williams