Newyddion
Jeff Kirby Obituary
22/04/2026 00:00, I Mewn Blog /
Cardiff Stalwart Jeff Kirby Dies
Former Welsh 6 miles cross country champion Jeff Kirby died yesterday, April 21 aged 80.
He was a member of the all-conquering Cardiff Amateur Athletic Club (now Cardiff Athletics) team of the late 1960s and early 1970s. The club was formed out of the 1968 merger of the two Cardiff clubs, Roath and Birchgrove Harriers.
His 6 miles title came in the February 1968 race in Swansea as a member of Roath Harriers where he won ahead of Birchgrove’s John Ingram and Roath teammate Brian Griffiths, leading Roath to the team title. Another Roath Harrier Bob Maplestone, who would go on to become the first British athlete to beat 4 minutes for the mile indoors, was fourth.
He ran for Wales in the International Cross Country Championships – the forerunner of the World Cross Country Championships - on two occasions in 1968 and 1969. At the time the home nations competed in this race as individual teams – nowadays it’s a British team.
Jeff was principally a fine cross country runner, but was also a good enough track runner to compete for Cardiff over 5,000m in the British League on four occasions when the club won the British League title in the early 1970s.
After his competitive days were over, he continued to be one of the Cardiff club’s leading officials and was club chairman between 2003 and 2008. He also officiated at many Welsh and regional championships and was a timekeeper for many years at Welsh Schools track and cross country events.
Commenting on his passing, former Welsh 3,000m steeplechase record holder, Bernard Hayward, who was best man at his wedding to Sue, who survives him, said: “Jeff was a lifelong friend, and I shall miss him greatly. He was the backbone of many Cardiff cross country and road running teams during the time the club dominated the Welsh scene.”
We offer our condolences to Sue and their daughters Helen and Lucy at this difficult time.
Clive Williams