David Bowman

David Bowman joined Clydesdale Harriers in 1935 and had been a member for 50 years in the centenary year of 1985. He ran for the Club for many, many years, filled most posts as a committee member and represented the Club on committees at a variety of levels with the peak probably being when he was president not only of the club but also of the DAAA, the Inter Counties Association and the Scottish Marathon Club all in the same year. A fuller account of his career can be found in the book of Harriers portraits published recently. Everyone in the Club has his hero - Phil's is Cyril O'Boyle, Allan Sharpe's is Pat Younger, Billy Hislop's is George White and mine is David Bowman. In 1970 he was the man responsible for the course and organisation of the Commonwealth Games Marathon from Meadowbank which resulted in more fast times than any other marathon race up to that point. A superb clubman who 'did what his club needed him to do' he died in hospital after a long illness last Thursday at the age of 92. We all owe David and his colleagues a real debt of gratitude.