1. Career

2. References

Frederick "Fred" Appleby (30 October 1879 – 7 April 1956)^[1] was a British long-distance runner. In 1902 Appleby set a world record for 15 miles and twice defeated the leading distance runner of the time, Alfred Shrubb. Appleby competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics as a marathoner, but failed to finish.

Career

Appleby had a number of top six finishes at the AAA Championships between 1900 and 1902, placing runner-up to defending champion Alfred Shrubb over 4 miles (6.44 km) in 1902.^[1]

Appleby twice defeated Shrubb over 15 miles (24.14 km) that year.^[1] The first of these races was held at Fallowfield on 19 April;^[2] the field also included twelve other runners, including Albert Aldridge, who went on to win the AAA 10 mile championship in 1905 and 1906.^[2][3] Shrubb was the world's best distance runner at the time,^[4] and although he was better at shorter distances,^[4] he still started the race as the favorite.^[2] Shrubb did build a large lead early on, while Appleby started slow; however, he moved steadily up the field, catching and passing Shrubb, who had problems with his right leg, with one mile to go. Appleby won the race in 1:22:41, ahead of Aldridge, who also passed Shrubb in the final stages.^[2]

The second race was held at Stamford Bridge on 21 July and ended in another victory for Appleby, whose time of 1:20:04.6 broke both Sid Thomas's amateur world record of 1:22:15.4 and William Howitt's professional record of 1:22:00.^[5][6] This time Appleby led most of the way; Shrubb stayed with him until the last lap, and although he eventually lost by 11 seconds he was also well under the previous records.^[5][7][8] Appleby's splits at 13 miles and 14 miles were also world records,^[1][5] and his split at 12.5 miles (20.12 km) was a best both for that distance and the shorter 20 000 metres.^[1][5][6]

After 1902 Appleby concentrated on his career as a dentist, although he continued competing in cross-country races.^[9] He was selected for Britain's twelve-man marathon contingent for the 1908 Summer Olympics; the reasons for his selection are unclear, as he did compete in the main tryout race but failed to finish.^[9] In the Olympic marathon he dropped out around 19 miles while among the leaders, having problems with his feet.^[1][10]

Appleby briefly became a professional runner in 1909, running several races on the North American professional circuit.^[1][9] He twice faced Paul Acoose,^[11] an upcoming Native Canadian runner, over 15 miles;^[12]

Acoose won the first race by a lap, running 1:22:22, an indoor world record for the distance,^[12][13] while Appleby won the rematch after tacks were thrown on the track.^[12][14] Appleby, with his thick rubber-soled shoes, was not inconvenienced by the tacks, while Acoose, who had been in the lead, used moccasins that they easily penetrated; he was forced to quit.^[14] Gamblers backing Appleby were suspected, and all bets on the race were eventually declared void.^[15]

Appleby represented the London club of Herne Hill Harriers.^[1][9] He returned to dentistry after his short professional running career.^[1][9]

References

• Raniero Panzieri
• Raniero Zeno
• Raniewo
• Raniganj, Araria (Vidhan Sabha constituency)
• Raniganj, Nepal
• Raniganj, Uttar Pradesh
• Raniganj (Vidhan Sabha constituency)
• Ranigaon
• Ranigat
• Rani Gaun
• Rani Gunj
• Raniji ki Baori
• Rani Karnavati
• Rani karnavati
• Rani Khanijau
• Ranikhet, India
• Rani ki vav
• Ranikot
• Rani kula
• Ranikuthi
• Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi
• Rani Lakshmi Bai (TV series)
• Rani Lalithangi
• Rani Laxmi Bai
• Ranillug