Charlie Booth Explained

Charlie Booth (1 October 1903  - 20 May 2008)^[1] was an Australian athlete.

Career

In the 1930s, Booth was a champion runner who participated in several Stawell Gifts, achieving victory in 1939. He was also an apprentice fitter and turner. He is widely credited for inventing starting blocks for sprinting races, along with his father.^[1]

When he first used his invention in a race, made from a T-bar and a block of wood cut in half, he was disqualified for life. The decision was overturned a few weeks later.^[2]

At age 100, Booth gave a rare interview about his long and successful life.^[3]

In 2006, the then 102-year-old wanted to run in a special Stawell Gift over-40s race, the prize being a pig, but he subsequently decided against it.^[1]

Death

In 2007, he celebrated his 104th birthday with a small private party.^[4] Nearly eight months later in May 2008, Booth died at the age of 104.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Vale Charlie Booth 1903–2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081120053745/http://www.athletics.com.au/fanzone/380/vale_charlie_booth . 20 November 2008 . dead . 23 May 2008 . athletics.com.au.
2. Web site: Masterstrack.com Charlie Booth dies at 104; invented blocks, sprinted till 99 . masterstrack.com . 14 November 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129012001/http://masterstrack.com/2008/05/2610/comment-page-1/ . 29 November 2014.
3. Web site: A marathon man with plenty of punch left yet . . 15 March 2004 . subscription . 6 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210506094107/https://www.theage.com.au/national/a-marathon-man-with-plenty-of-punch-left-yet-20040315-gdxhtx.html . live.
4. News: Booth's 104th birthday . goldcoast.com.au . 27 September 2007 . 10 December 2007 . dead . 8 February 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120208075008/http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/09/27/3166_gossip-news.html.