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The Untold Story

This Saturday will see the launch of a book documenting the life and decorated running career of John McGough. 'The Runner McGough: the untold story' represents a work of passion by author Tommy McGuire. The book is the outcome of three years of research into, and decades of interest in, McGough's life by McGuire, who is from the same village in Ireland where McGough was born.

In 1906 McGough, by now a member of Bellahouston Harriers, travelled to Athens for the fourth ever Olympic Games and returned with a silver medal.

That result, in the 1,500 metres, was the highlight of John’s distinguished running career. In 1906 alone, McGough won a total of 25 prizes in competitions - including 14 firsts - and at the time of his success in Athens, the 25-year-old was already reigning champion fives times running of the prestigious Scottish Mile Championship – a title he would go on to win on a further two occasions, in 1907 and 1910.

A top athlete for more than a decade, McGough also at one time held every Scottish record from 1,000 yards up to four miles.

A detailed account of McGough's medal-winning race in Athens, as well as an insight into McGough's running days and achievements with Bellahouston Harriers, and his life beyond running - including his associations with Rangers, Celtic and Manchester United football clubs, are chronicled in the new book.

Another Bellahouston Harriers great, Frank Clement, who also represented Great Britain in the 1,500 metres at the Olympics – finishing fifth in the final in Montreal in 1976 – will be on hand for the Glasgow launch of the book this weekend.

The book launch takes place on Saturday 20 January 2018 at the Mitchell Library at 2.30pm.

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