Home town honour for an inspirational athlete

THE statues of Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer, and ‘Wor’ Jackie Milburn are some of sculptor Tom Maley’s proudest achievements, with thousands of fans walking past them on a St James’ Park match day.

- DANIEL HALL Reporter

> Jim Alder pictured in July 1972

However, sculptor Tom’s latest creation is an adopted North East sporting great who set records alongside working a day job as a bricklayer.

Jim Alder was one of the world’s greatest distance runners in the 1960s. Born in Glasgow, he moved to Morpeth in 1950 in the foster care of a family from the area.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of his Commonwealth Games gold. In one of the most bizarre finishes to a major championship race, Jim was well clear of the field as he approached the stadium after just over 26 miles through the streets of Kingston, Jamaica.