Biography
Smallwood-Cook was born in Winchester, Hampshire. She attended The Hurst Secondary school, Baughurst and later QMC(Queen Marys Sixth form college), Basingstoke. She began her career at Reading Athletic Club, but was soon also a member of the British team. As of 2012, she still holds British records for:
- 200 metres (22.10),
- 300 metres (35.46),
- 400 metres (49.43) and
- 4 x 100 metres relay (42.43)
She also held the 100 metres record (11.10) from September 1981 until May 2008, when Montell Douglas ran 11.05.
She jointly held the world best outdoor time for 300 m 35.46 (with Chandra Cheeseborough, although Kathy finishing first in the race) from 03.08.1984 until Ana Guevara set a new record at altitude of 35.30 on 03.05.2003).
As a permanent part of the Great Britain Women's 4 x 100 m relay team 1978-84, she won a total of eight medals in Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth Championships. She always ran the second 'leg', her rangy gait (she is 5'11' tall) and speed endurance being ideal for this position. She also occasionally competed in the 4 x 400 metres relay.
Read more about this topic: Kathy Smallwood-Cook
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