Stan Vennard
Stanley H. Vennard was an athlete from Northern Ireland, who represented Northern Ireland at the British Empire and Commmonwealth Games.
Biography
Vennard was a constable with the Royal Ulster Constabulary and was a member of their Athletics Club. He also ran for the Duncairn Nomads Athletic Club and was the 1959 Irish marathon champion. A civil servant, he was also the six-miles Northen Ireland champion in 1960 at the age of 21.He married Norma McInnes in August 1963 and was a student teacher at Stranmillis University College.
Vennard represented the 1966 Northern Irish Team at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, participating in the two athletics events; the 6 miles race and the marathon.
Vennard was a seven-times Northern Irish champion, winning the 3 miles title in 1966, the 6 miles titles in 1960 and 1966, three marathon titles and the cross-country title in 1967.
He completed his teaching career at the Moira Primary School, where he was the head. He died in January 2018.