Burton, Beryl

▪ 1997

      British cyclist (b. May 12, 1937, Leeds, Eng.—d. May 5, 1996, Yorkshire, Eng.), dominated British women's cycling from the late 1950s to the early '80s. She won more than 100 titles, including several in which she competed against men. She became interested in cycling at the age of 15 after meeting Charlie Burton, an amateur cyclist who became her husband in 1955. She first attracted attention in 1957 when she placed second in the British 100-mi championship. (One mile=1.61 km.) Later she won the national 25-, 50-, and 100-mi titles, which earned her the British Best All-Rounder (1959), an award for the fastest woman in the three distances. She held that title for 25 years. Burton set numerous national records, including several that still stood in 1996. Though she rarely competed in international races, she won seven world titles—two in the road race and five in the 3,000-m pursuit. At her peak she regularly defeated male competitors, most notably at the 12-hour time trial in 1967. Burton's winning distance of 277.75 mi was 5.75 mi farther than the men's record. She won her last title in 1986 and was riding her bicycle in a training session for an upcoming championship when she died. In 1986 her autobiography, Personal Best, was published. Burton was made an MBE in 1964 and an OBE in 1968.

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