The Dunford Lecture

Katharine Merry

At aged fourteen Katharine Merry was the fastest girl in the world. Twelve years later, she became the fastest woman in the world over 400 metres, picking up an Olympic medal in the process. 

Labelled as one of Britain’s most talented female sprinters ever, Katharine achieved an unprecedented nine AAA’s age group titles over 100 metres and 200 metres. She won four English Schools titles, including the pentathlon and, in 1987, set a World Age record at the age of twelve of 25.4secs over 200 metres. She made her GB under twenty debut at the age of thirteen and went on to record six years as a GB Junior International. She still holds UK age records in a variety of events including the pentathlon and hurdles.