England’s 1966 Commonwealth Games race walking silver medallist Ray Middleton has died at the age of 86 ©Belgrave Harriers

England’s 1966 Commonwealth Games race walking silver medallist Ray Middleton has died at the age of 86, his family have announced. 

Middleton also represented Great Britain in the 50 kilometres walk at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he finished 13th in an event won by Italy’s Abdon Pamich.

At the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Middleton competed in the 20 miles walk event.

English walkers dominated the event with Ron Wallwork winning in 2 hours 44min 43sec, finishing 36 seconds ahead of Middleton with New Zealand’s Norman Read narrowly pipping Rome 1960 Olympic gold medallist Don Thompson for the bronze.

Middleton had also won a silver medal in the 50km event at the the International Amateur Athletics Federation World Race Walking Cup in Varese in Italy, finishing second behind Hungary’s István Havasi.

In 1974, Ray Middleton set five world records in one race at the New River Sports Centre in London where he completed the 40 miles in 5:56:29 ©Belgrave Harriers
In 1974, Ray Middleton set five world records in one race at the New River Sports Centre in London where he completed the 40 miles in 5:56:29 ©Belgrave Harriers

During his lengthy career, Middleton also set a series of world walks bests, including five in one race at the New River Sports Centre in London in 1974 where he completed the 40 miles in 5:56:29.

Middleton’s personal bests included 1:34:06 for the 20km walk and 4:15:51 for the 50km.

Domestically, Middleton, who represented Belgrave Harriers, won the Race Walking Association 50km title in 1963, as well as being runner-up in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1970.

Middleton had been born in Marylebone in London on August 9 1936 to Christopher and Florence Middleton.

His father was a railway worker.

As a teenager, Middleton tried middle-distance running and the high jump before discovering race walking when he entered a one-mile race for novices.

Ray Middleton regularly took part in race walking events organised for postmen, including this six-mile event around the City of London in 1962, which he won for the second consecutive year ©The Post Office
Ray Middleton regularly took part in race walking events organised for postmen, including this six-mile event around the City of London in 1962, which he won for the second consecutive year ©The Post Office

Middleton later became a postal worker and won the very first postman’s walk race, which saw posties compete while dressed in their uniforms and each carrying a sack, held around the City of London in 1961. 

He also competed in the European Postal Walking Championship, winning the title in 1970 when it was held in London.

Being crowned "the fastest postman in Europe" saw Middleton featured in the national press in the United Kingdom and on BBC Television’s popular children’s programme Blue Peter. 

Middleton died on January 8 having become ill shortly after Christmas.

He was buried in Norfolk last Friday (February 10).

"Dad’s knack at putting people at ease with his witty comments and good humour, together with his incredible talent and determination on the open road, made him an unforgettable and exceptional human being and a pleasure to have known," Middleton's daughter Lesley Smart told the Eastern Daily Press.