Born: 1937 (Halton, Leeds, West Yorkshire)
Died: 1996 (Morley, West Yorkshire)
Biography:
Beryl Burton, OBE (12 May 1937 – 5 May 1996) was an English racing cyclist who dominated women’s cycle racing in the UK, winning more than 90 domestic championships and seven world titles, and setting numerous national records. She set a women’s record for the 12-hour time-trial which exceeded the men’s record for two years.
Early Life:
Burton was born Beryl Charnock in the Halton area of Leeds, West Yorkshire and lived in the nearby Morley area throughout her life. She raced mainly for Morley Cycling Club and later Knaresborough CC. She was introduced to cycling through her husband, Charlie, whom she married in 1955. Charlie described her development as a cyclist as follows: First of all, she was handy but wasn’t that competent: we used to have to push her round a bit. Slowly she got better. By the second year, she was ‘one of the lads’ and could ride with us. By the third year, she was going out in front and leading them all. By then it was 1956 and she decided to do a bit of time trialling because I was dabbling at it.
Cycling Career:
In 1957, Burton took her first national medal, a silver in the national 100-mile individual time trial championship, and before the decade was out, she was already competing internationally. Burton won the women’s world road race championship in 1960 and 1967 and was the runner-up in 1961. On the track, she specialized in the individual pursuit, winning world championship medals almost every year across three decades. She was a world champion five times (1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, and 1966), silver medalist three times (1961, 1964, and 1968), and won bronze in 1967, 1970, and 1973.
Domestic Domination:
In domestic time trial (TT) competition, Burton was almost unbeatable. She won the Road Time Trials Council’s British Best All-Rounder Competition for 25 consecutive years from 1959 to 1983. In total, she won 72 national individual time trial titles, including four at 10 miles, 26 at 25 miles, 24 at 50 miles, and 18 at 100 miles. Her last national solo time trial titles were achieved in 1986 at 25 and 50 miles. She was also part of the fastest team (Knaresborough CC) in the 50-mile event in 1969. Additionally, she won 24 national titles in road racing and on the track, including 12 road race championships and 12 pursuit titles.
Record-Breaker:
In 1963, Burton became the first woman to break the hour barrier for the 25-mile time trial, subsequently also going below two hours for the 50-mile TT and four hours for the 100-mile TT.
Influence on Society and Women’s History:
Beryl Burton’s achievements in cycling were groundbreaking and inspirational, not only for women but for the sport as a whole. Dominating both domestic and international competitions, she shattered records and paved the way for future generations of female cyclists. Her dedication, perseverance, and tenacity made her a role model for athletes around the world.
Awards:
– Seven-time World Road Race Champion (1960, 1967)
– Five-time World Track Pursuit Champion (1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1966)
– Winner of Road Time Trials Council’s British Best All-Rounder Competition for 25 years consecutively (1959-1983)
– Winner of 72 national individual time trial titles
– Winner of 24 national titles in road racing and on the track
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