WHEN a former Pittsworth schoolboy ruled the professional running world

Arthur Benjamin Postle

Born March 8, 1881

Died in Brisbane, April 21, 1965

Australian Sports Hall of Fame 1985 (Original Inductee)

Queensland Sport Hall of Fame 2009 (Original Inductee)

Arthur Postle emerged from the tiny Darling Downs town of Pittsworth to be acclaimed "the fastest man alive".

Arthur's sizzling track running feats during the early 1900s saw him set a string of world sprinting records.

Donned in his crimson shorts and singlets, Arthur set records over distances ranging from 50 to 200 yards to become affectionately known as "The Crimson Flash".

His achievements earned him the title as one of Australia's most accomplished all-time Australian athletes.

Arthur was born near Pittsworth in 1881, the second of nine children, and was educated to the fifth grade.

He competed successfully in his early years at athletic meets around the Downs and Southeast Queensland while training on a rough running track on his family's farm where he was coached by his uncle Fred Postle.

Arthur left the farm in 1899 to pursue a professional running career.

He went on to blaze a trail that world sceptics initially believed was "too good to be true" while dismissing him as a "fake".

But Arthur had his doubters eating their words after taking up a 1908 challenge to race England's world sprinting champion Bill Growcott.

Arthur started a 3-1 outsider in the 100-yard Manchester match race where he stormed to a remarkable victory over Growcott to stake his claim as the world's fastest man.

He raced successfully in Australia, England, Wales, Scotland, South Africa, and New Zealand.

His home successes included a 1906 win over Irish world champion R.B. Day in front of a 20,000-strong crowd at Kalgoorlie.

Arthur was regarded as virtually unbeatable over distances up to 80 yards and went on to set world records over 50 yards, 60 yards, 75 yards, 80 yards, and 200 yards.

He was honoured in his hometown of Pittsworth in 2018 with the running of the inaugural "Arthur Postle Gift" professional running meeting.

The first 75-yard Arthur Postle Gift was won by fifth generation Postle family descendant Max Mason.

Arthur is both an Australian and Queensland Sports Hall Of Fame member.

A monument honouring Arthur Postle was unveiled in the Pittsworth CBD in 2019 while Pittsworth Museum also houses memorabilia acknowledging the achievements of their champion.

More Arthur Postle career highlights:-

• Educated to fifth grade at Springside State School near Pittsworth

• Rose from training in a family farm paddock in the late 1800s to become one of the "greatest of all Australian runners"

• Known as "The Crimson Flash" after dashing to numerous wins in his crimson running shorts and singlet

• Set world records over distances of 50 yards, 60 yards, 75 yards, 80 yards and 200 yards while winning races up to 300 yards

• Australian successes included his 1906 victory over Irish world champion R.B. Day in Kalgoorlie

• Rose to international stardom after defeating English champion Bill Growcott in England in 1908

• Raced successfully in Australia, England, Wales, Scotland, South Africa and New Zealand

• Recognised in both the Australian and Queensland Hall of Fame