UNUSUAL PRIZES
CROSSING the line first is always exciting. Quite apart from the personal satisfaction a great run produces, there’s usually a medal, a trophy and perhaps even a voucher for the nearest sports shop to take home. Meanwhile, for the lucky few, a big win can result in a significant boost to their bank account. All in all it’s a good day.
Of course, it hasn’t always been like that. Yes, the feeling of job well done is always there, but the prize structure has been a little different in the past.
I know that first hand as a sub four-minute miler in the 1980s who has been the winner of a rowing boat, a model aeroplane, a model train, numerous wine glasses and so many canteens of cutlery I could have opened my own restaurant.
Medals and cash weren’t quite so popular, even at Grand Prix level (a vase in Russia and a model plane for winning in Finland). However, useful – and not so useful – everyday appliances were.