Alfie's Trophy's and Medals  ›  Book and shoes

Alf Shrubb’s running pumps are still in good order, more than 100 years after he wore them to fly past the best runners in the world in the early part of the 20th centruy!  These shoes are among the keepsakes in the possession of his daughter Norah Allin, who lives in Bowmanville, Ontario.

They look ancient and impractical to our eyes today, but in Shrubb’s day they were ‘state-of-the art’ equipment! In 1895 Joseph W Foster, who was a member of his local running club inhte UK, Bolton Primrose Harriers, made his first pair of spiked running shoes in his garden shed. By 1900 Joseph was in business making handmade running shoes for local athletes who’d seen and admired his work. In 1904 Alf Shrubb broke world records wearing a pair of Foster running pumps like the ones pictured here, that cost him around five shillings and sixpence (27.5 pence in modern English currency). By 1908 these pumps were a favourite of Olympic and professional athletes everywhere.
The purpose-built lightweight running shoe with a rubber sole had been developed for those who could afford it, and this was followed by the widespread arrival of the leather spiked running shoe (see picture). In response to demand from the top English runners like Shrubb, spiked lightweight shoes, allowing good grip on grass or cinders, were made by hand by Foster, strictly to order. Based on cycling shoes, they had six spikes, with three grades available, and were cut low below the ankle bone, with leather uppers. They were a huge success and Foster’s fledgling company soon developed a distinguished international clientele - Shrubb was one of the first champions on its list of patrons. Years later the Foster company would re-launch as REEBOK.

Although Shrubb wore the famous Foster shoes to break numerous world records in 1904, a few weeks earlier he’d been happy to endorse other shoes in advertisements: e.g. “Alf Shrubb says the Battersby pumps are the best that’s made and he broke the 5,4, and 2 mile record in them. Battersby champion pump maker Larkhill, Blackpool”. But, in common, with other top runners, it is believed the Foster shoes were his favourite.

The book in the picture is Rob Hadgraft’s acclaimed biography of Alfred Shrubb, published in 2004. ‘THE LITTLE WONDER’ brings to life the amazing story of this pioneering athlete, a man whose life was full of adventure in between his incredible exploits on the world’s running tracks. Available in the UK from Sportspages and all other good bookshops, it can be obtained in North America by visiting the website http://www.desertislandbooks.com