London's marathon man, Chris Brasher, dies at 74

Chris Brasher, the dogged visionary who founded the London Marathon and brought mass running to Britain, died yesterday aged 74.

A product of Rugby School and St John's College, Cambridge, Brasher made a name for himself in a bewildering number of areas beyond the marathon. He first became a part of sporting history in 1954 when, with Christopher Chataway, he set the pace for Roger Bannister to break the four-minute mile at Iffley Road, Oxford.

Two years later Brasher, who was born in Georgetown, Guyana, won the Olympic 3000m steeplechase title, although only after appealing against disqualification for obstructing the Norwegian runner Ernst Larsen. He went on to work as a sports journalist for The Observer and as a reporter for the BBC's Tonight programme.

A keen lifelong mountaineer, he also launched a successful brand of walking boots, shoes and accessories, The Brasher Boot Company.

Those who had encountered him in the many facets of his professional life were quick to pay tribute yesterday. "Chris was gallant and brave right to the end, he had won so many battles in his life," Sir Roger Bannister said. "We had more than 50 years of friendship, Chataway, Brasher and I, and we mourn him and grieve for his family. He did so much for Britain, from his incomparable Olympic gold medal to founding the London Marath-on and preserving tracts of countryside. We will miss him."

Richard Caborn, the Sports minister, said: "Chris was undoubtedly one of the most influential and well-liked British athletes of any generation.

"Alongside his remarkable achievement in winning the 3000m steeplechase at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, his lasting legacy will of course be the London Marathon that he co-founded – a fantastic event run by thousands and benefiting millions all over the world."

In later life Brasher and his wife, Shirley, who made her name in tennis as Shirley Bloomer, both enjoyed racing, each owning a number of horses. Brasher's finances were boosted when he sold his shares in the sportswear firm Reebok for more than £1m.

But it was Brasher's big idea – to transport the idea of mass marathon running from the streets of New York to those of the British capital in 1981 – that will stand as his greatest achievement.

Inspired after witnessing the New York Marathon, Brasher wrote: "To believe this story, you must believe that the human race can be one joyous family, working together, laughing together, achieving the impossible. I believe it because I saw it happen." He co-founded the London race with his fellow athlete John Disley.

Brasher, who was the president of London Marathon Ltd and the Sports Writers' Association, was appointed CBE in 1996, having refused the honour while Margaret Thatcher was in office. He said she had no feeling for sport and was angered by her call to boycott the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Brasher, who died at his home in Berkshire, shrugged off his failing health in recent weeks to support a London bid for the 2012 Olympics.