James Nuttall

Who was James Nuttall?

James Nuttall was a professional British runner, who broke several records, and is regarded as “one of the best sprinters and quarter milers in England in the 1860s”. During his thirteen-year career, Nuttall ran 440 yards in 51.5 seconds, and ran the half-mile in a world’s best time of 1:55.5.

Born in Reddish, Lancashire, Nuttall was the maternal grandson of mill-owner Issachar Thorp, who was heir to the Thorp dynasty of apothecaries and calico printing factories in Manchester.

Described as “compact, agile and powerful of limb”, Nuttall easily won races ranging from 600 yards to half a mile. In 1859, Nuttall became the first Briton to run a quarter mile in fifty-one seconds. In Manchester in 1864, he ran 600 yards in 1:13, setting a world record, and defeating the favourite Siah Albison.

On August 19, 1865, Nuttall was among ‘the great milers of the 1860s’ who were gathered at Manchester’s Royal Oak Grounds to compete for the title of Champion Miler of the World, as well as the Mile Championship Cup. Nuttall led the first two laps in sixty seconds, then hit the half-mile mark in an unprecedented 2:05.5. The crowd cheered him on, but Nuttall’s pace was unsustainable.