‘Inspirational’ marathon runner who proved age is just a number
For “inspirational” Harry Gamble-Thompson, age really was just a number. The Teessider was among the fastest British veteran marathon runners of all-time, storming his way into the record books with a string of astonishing performances.
Harry passed away in 2019, aged 87, after battling illness, leaving behind a glittering list of achievements, a lasting legacy and an incredibly proud family. Plenty of top distance runners have hung up their racing trainers by the time their 50th birthday approaches, but Harry was only just getting started. At the 1982 London Marathon, Harry, aged 50, clocked a time of 2:32.10, which still ranks him eighth on the UK all time list in the Vet50 category. He would have been fourth on that list had he ran his 1981 PB of 2:30.12 just two months later. More than 20 years later, Harry was still breaking records and running himself into the history books, crossing the line in the Honolulu Marathon in a time of 3:31.10. That superb performance still ranks him fourth on the UK V70 all-time list.
All in all, Harry, who ran for Middlesbrough & Cleveland before he joined New Marske Harriers, broke 2:35 seven times and ran marathons in New York, Dublin, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Barbados. He also ran 1:10.05 for the half marathon in York at the age of 50, again, a performance that places him on the top 10 of the UK all-time list.
And his family have since followed in his footsteps. His son, Mark, clocked 2:38 for the marathon, his daughter, Helen, ran 3:02 and his grandson, Lewis, is currently one of the best road runners on the local scene, with a 5K best 14:24 5,000m 14.48, 10k best of 30:03 10,000m 30:07, a half marathon PB of 65:32 and Marathon PB of 2:23:13
When Harry wasn’t running, the New Marske Harrier was putting his efforts into helping athletes of the future.
During his 10 years as club chairman, Harry, a proud Teessider, was instrumental in helping the club raise £50,000 of the £150,000 match funding that secured the National Lottery grant for the track at Laurence Jackson School – a top class facility that has since been used by hundreds of local athletes.
But his dedication wasn’t limited to the sport he loved. Harry was heavily involved in the New Marske Boys’ Brigade and also St Thomas’ Church, in New Marske, alongside his soulmate and wife of 63 years, Yvonne.
Born in Thornaby, Harry moved to New Marske when he became Marske Machine Company’s commercial manager and for many years local residents could set their clocks by him as he walked to and from work, looking sharp in his suit and tie.
A lifelong Boro fan and long-time season ticket holder, Harry also worked for his beloved Middlesbrough Football Club and was in charge of the programme sellers at Ayresome Park.
During his time on national service, Harry impressed in a couple of track races, which set the ball rolling for his athletics success in later years.
He leaves behind Yvonne, his two children Mark and Helen, his two grandchildren Lewis and Hannah, and great grandson Max.
“He was a man of such class and he inspired so many people.
“He had so much love to give. The love between my mam and dad was so deep. Hopefully we can all go through life and have as much joy and love as they had for each other.”
New Marske Harriers chairman Graham Hall said: “It was due to the inspiration of Harry that I started running and I joined the club because of his encouragement. He provided help and advice to so many runners of all abilities.”
Harry’s wife Yvonne sadly passed away in 2023, although Yvonne was not a runner (though she did take part very occasionally in fun run type events) she was the matriarch of a family of top runners – late husband Harry, son Mark, daughter Helen and grandson Lewis.
Although most of our current members will not have met Yvonne, they do still owe a debt of
gratitude for the service Yvonne gave to the club for many years. She became a volunteer member of New Marske Harriers in the very early days of the club and served for over 30 years. In the days before the track at Guisborough, she “opened up” the club for us at Bydales School on Tuesdays and St Thomas Church Hall on Wednesdays and Saturdays, week in, week out. She organised things like bus trips, Christmas dinners, club clothing.
In the days of paper (before the internet) she was membership secretary, and much more! During this time, she was also a foster parent to many young babies! A formidable woman with forthright views, we had the odd difference of opinion, but grudges were not held for too long – I nicknamed her “The Enforcer” which she secretly liked – recognition of the energy and determination shown in the jobs she did.
When I told the committee in 1992 that if the club was serious in its ambitions of having an athletics
track, it needed to embark on a serious fundraising campaign. Yvonne was the first to give me
support at the committee meeting, but this continued into practical hands-on help with our “Goal-
Pot” weekly lottery which raised over £50,000 which was absolutely key in getting the track which
was eventually built at Laurence Jackson School.
Graham Hall