Everyone at Shettleston Harriers was saddened to hear of the passing of Lachie Stewart yesterday. Lachie was one of the most famous Shettleston Harriers, most notably winning gold at the 1970 Commonwealth Games at Meadowbank in Edinburgh, making him a household name overnight.
Born in Vale of Leven in June 1943 Joseph Laughlin Stewart started his athletics career at Vale of Leven AAC where he competed from 1957 till 1968. Already a prestigious athlete he joined Shettleston Harriers in the winter of 1968. At this time he was at the height of his career setting numerous records and winning multiple championships when . He was with Shettleston until 1980. In the world of athletics he simply became know as Lachie.
In a glittering career Lachie’s achievements were many:
Cross-Country: 10 International Appearances in what are now the World Championships; 2 Scottish Championships at a time when there was real strength in depth, 1 Midland District Championship. Third in Junior International, second in the English National, fourth in the Senior International.
Track: Scottish 10 Miles Champion 4 times (1966, 67, 68, 71); Scottish Three Miles Champion 3 times (1965, 67 and 68); Scottish Six Miles Champion twice (1967, 68); Scottish 5000 metres Champion once (1969); Scottish Three Miles Champion 3 times (1965, 67, 68). Thirteen titles in all between 1966 and 1973.
Track records: He set track records at 2 Miles, 4 Miles, 5 Miles, 6 Miles, 7 Miles, 8 Miles, 9 Miles, 10 Miles, 11 Miles, 12 Miles and One Hour (He was the first Scot to run over 12 miles in the hour) and at 10000 metres. In all there were 19 record breaking runs.
He was awarded the Crabbie Cup three times (1967, 1968, 19700 and the Coronation Cup once (1968). The former is presented to the athlete who in the opinion of the General Committee had the most meritorious performance in the Senior Championships; the latter, presented since 1951, goes to the athlete who in the opinion of the Committee is the outstanding athlete of the year.
AAA’s Championships: He won the 3 Miles Championship in 1968 in a time of 13:28.4.
As a member of a very good Shettleston squad at the time he was part of many medal winning teams and over 10 years he amassed a collection of approximately 21 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals from the National Championships, the Edinburgh to Glasgow Relay, the Midland Relay, the Scottish 4 Stage Relay, the McAndrew and the two Lanarkshire relays.
Most famously of all, he won the 10000 metres at the British Commonwealth Games in 1970 at Edinburgh. Lachie was to compete for Scotland at three Commonwealth Games and also went on to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 1972 Olympics in Germany.
As his own career was starting to slow down, he began to take an interest in coaching his son, Glen, who showed an aptitude for and an interest in distance running.Always interested in coaching and helping others, Lachie organised Glen’s training so well that he set new British Under 15 records in the 1500 metres and the Mile in 1985. Unlike many a young prodigy, Glen went on to be a successful athlete at Under 17, Under 20 and Senior age levels and was the first British finisher in the 10000m (29:04.3) at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002. He also ran the 5000 where he was unplaced in 13:49.7. His personal best times as a senior include 3:38.66 (1500), 3:59.56 (Mile), 7:55.15 (3000), 13:37,17 (5000) and 29:40.14 (10000).
There are not many athletes from any country who are instantly recognisable from just their Christian name but just say the single word ‘Lachie’ in any athletics company and there are immediately warm smiles all around. He was regularly seen at races in recent years and was on hand to start the Allan Scally Relays in Glasgow Green in 2022.
At this sad time everyone at Shettleston Harriers send our condolences to all of Lachie’s family and friends throughout the athletics community
Extracts from: Scottish Distance Running History
