Jonathan Solly (born 28 June 1963) is a male English former long-distance runner who won a Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Jon Solly
Personal information
NationalityBritish (English)
Born (1963-06-28) 28 June 1963 (age 63)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event
Long-distance
ClubBingley Harriers
Medal record
Athletics
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place1986 Edinburgh10,000 Metres
Representing  Great Britain
World Road Relay Championships
Silver medal – second place1986 HiroshimaMen's race

Biography

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Solly was educated at St Bartholomew's School in Newbury and Durham University, where he graduated with a degree in Politics and Economics in 1985.[1] As a student he was a trialist for the 1984 Olympics in the 3,000 metres.[2] He still holds the university record in the 5,000 metres.[3]

Solly became the British 10,000 metres champion after winning the British AAA Championships title at the 1986 AAA Championships.[4][5] Shortly afterwards he won the gold medal for England in the 10,000 metres at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland.[6][7] He achieved his personal best time of 27:51.76 minutes at Crystal Palace on 20 June 1986. That season proved to be his peak as a "litany of injuries that could probably fill a medical text book" prevented Solly from reproducing his best form in the years ahead.[8]

Solly is now a cabinet maker based at a workshop in Thame, Oxfordshire.[9]

References

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  1. Moyes, Arthur (2007). Be The Best You Can Be: A History of Sport in Hatfield College, Durham University. Hatfield Trust. p. 208.
  2. Barber, James (1984). Metcalfe, Richard (ed.). "Master's Notes". Hatfield Record. 4 (4): 2.
  3. "Athletic Records". DUAXC (via Internet Wayback Machine). 18 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  4. "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  5. "AAA Championships (men)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  6. "1986 Athletes". Team England.
  7. "Athletes and results". Commonwealth Games Federation.
  8. Chalfen, David (9 September 2020). "10,000m Legends Under The Radar?". Fast Running. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  9. Eyre, Justin (8 January 2019). "'The Hampden Way' Bag". John Hampden Primary School. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
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