Cwmbran - Olympic Medalist - Tom Richards  

Step back in time .... to 1948  and London  hosts, the first Olympic Games to be held since the end of World War 2 .

 In front of a packed Wembley Stadium, 80,000 plus spectators, rapturously applaud Marathon runner, Tom Richards as he steps up to the podium to receive his Silver Medal.  .... You can almost here somebody in the crowd yell ...`Well done Boyo !! `

Thomas Richards was born on the 15th March, 1910 at a 40 acre farm called Garn Wen, Upper Cwmbran  (Parish of Llanvihangel).

Tom's athletic prowess led  him to become a member of Pontnewydd Harriers, whose headquarters were at Price's Bakery in Commercial Street. The club supported a number of sporting activities, running, boxing etc; and even the first `Women Harriers` section in the whole of Wales. 

Arthur Jenkins of 52, Five locks Road, Pontnewydd was the club's trainer from 1928 to 1938 and became a great friend and mentor to Tom.

Tom invited his trainer to London to see him run the `grueling`, 26 mile Marathon and said he would gladly pay Arthur's fare for the train journey. Unfortunately, Arthur had to turn Tom's kind offer down, due to his `ticker not being what it used to be` and he felt the `excitement may have been too much for him`.

Ironically, Tom may not have even made it to the London Olympics, because three weeks before the trials he was unable to even walk, due to a carbuncle on the calf muscle of his right leg. Fortunately for Tom a course of penicillin and the attention of a Harley Street specialist `Put him right`.

It has been said, that when Tom attended Upper Cwmbran School he could start running from home and reach the school before the bell stopped ringing ..

Marathon Race Results

Delfo Cabrera ..........Argentina .......... 2 hours 34 minutes 51.6 seconds .... Gold

Thomas Richards ...... Great Britain ... 2 Hours 35 minutes 7.6 seconds .... Silver

Etienne Gailly  .......... Belgium ............. 2 Hours 35 minutes 33.6 seconds ... Bronze

1948 Olympics - White City, London

29th July - 14th August