David Hopkins The Ghost Runner


(5 stars; 2 reviews)

Saturday Night Theatre: The Ghost Runner Sat 30th Jul 1994, 19:50 on BBC Radio 4 FM David Hopkins's play is based on the true story of John Tarrant, one of the great distance runners of the 1950s and 60s. For 20 years he battled against the absurd regulations of the Amateur Athletics Association…. Director: Matthew Walters John: Paul Panting Edie: Jane Slavin Vic: Tom Bevan With John Baddeley, Elaine Claxton, Pat Connell, Lyndam Gregory, Neville Jason, David Jarvis, Frances Jeater, Peter Kenny, Ian Masters, Don McCorkindale, Gavin Muir, George Parsons, Nina Wadia, Malcolm Ward, Derek Waring, Peter Whitman, William Wortley and Peter Yapp.  The mystery man threw off his disguise and started to run. Furious stewards gave chase. The crowd roared. A legend was born. Soon the world would know him as “the ghost runner,” John Tarrant, the extraordinary man whom nobody could stop. As a hapless teenage boxer in the 1950s, he’d been paid a small sum in expenses. When he wanted to run, he was banned for life. His  amateur status had been compromised. Forever. Now he was fighting back, gate-crashing races all over Britain. No number on his shirt. No friends in high places. Soon he would be a record-breaker, one of the greatest long-distance runners the world had ever seen.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

Chapters

The Ghost Runner 1:33:43

Reviews

Much more than a drama


(5 stars)

Before hearing this I had never heard of John Tarrant, the "Ghost Runner". My loss. He is now on a very small list of my great sporting heroes. Through all the obstacles he proved himself to be a greater sportsman than cups and medals could have celebrated. I have ordered the book by Bill Jones ("The Ghost Runner", of course) on the strength of this. Not just a play - this made me want to roar with outrage and cheer at his his triumphs through adversity. Days later I keep reliving this. Thank you again Radioannouncer. More than just a play. 6 stars, surely. Just brilliant.

Much more than a drama


(0 stars)

Thank you! You made my day and much more! Hearing from you makes uploading worthwhile.... w