Harry Verran

Harry’s earliest memories include those of loving to run. On the family farm in Placentia, NFLD, he ran a couple of miles each day to bring the cows in for milking.

He ran his first competitive race at age 20 and he remained a prolific distance runner until age 70, when he was still placing midfield against runners 30 to 40 years younger. Over those 50 years of competition he averaged 5 to 6 races a year over distances of five miles, six miles, ten miles and the marathon.

He ran in the Boston Marathon in both 1955 and 1956. The ’56 Boston Marathon was an Olympic Qualifiier and many of the best runners from around the world were entered. That year Harry placed 32nd out of a field of over 300 runners, an incredible achievement by any measure. He ran races in many provinces and in Boston and Washington. In one five mile road race, his average time was 5.5 minutes per mile.

In his early years of racing there were no coaches, little to no equipment, no resources and almost no literature on how to train for distance running. Harry ran because he loved to run. He trained day in, day out, year round, no matter the weather. At training peaks he was running up to 125 miles per week (200 Kilometres) A very conservative estimate of his running years indicate that Harry logged over 81,000 miles (129,600 Kms) in that 50 year span.

As a young man Harry also played competitive soccer with the Tri-Service team in St. John’s NFLD and rowed on a Regatta team, both while serving in the Navy.

And he gave and he gave. Harry served as President of the Nova Scotia Track and Field Association, was an executive member of the N.S. Senior Hockey League, coached Track and Cross Country at the community level, coached soccer and coached minor hockey, intermediate hockey and senior hockey. He was the founder, owner, coach and manager of the Bridgetown Hawks Senior team that advanced to the provincial final in two straight years.

He personally funded new uniforms for school and community teams on more occasions than he is willing to talk about. It was a sure bet that on a Harry Verran team, you would never go without the right gear and a full stomach. His generosity knew no limits and beyond all that he was and still is a constant spectator and fan of many, many athletic events.

He was one of the chosen torch bearers for the 1988 Calgary Olympics, was an official photographer at the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Member of Parliament for Southwest Nova from 1993 to 1997 and a member of the Bridgetown School Board and the Annapolis Amalgamated Board.

Harry and his always-supportive wife Connie raised seven kids, who in turn have played a very active role in the development of generations of other young athletes.

Perhaps most significant of all, he was a friend and supporter of anyone who showed an interest in pursuing a love of sport. Through his coaching, his legendary financial generosity, through his constant support and positive personality Harry contributed much to the athletic landscape in Bridgetown and far beyond.

Harry is a notorious dancer and hugger. He is a guy that loves people, loves sport and everything in between. Harry’s experiences have meant that he could always talk the talk but his personality determined that he also walked the walk. In a lifetime of achievement, Harry Verran has run a great race.